Ask HN: How to plug skill gaps within startups

As a startup (especially those without access to large capital), it's likely you're going to have skill shortages on your team.

On our team, we have skill gaps when it comes to sales & marketing and it's been hindering our performance.

My default instinct is to try & solve problems on my own through reading books, videos, etc. These are useful, but my realisation is there's a big difference between the ideals presented in a book versus nuance that only experience can deliver.

Assuming you don't have the budget to hire, what strategies have worked well for you to plug your own skill shortages?

My inclination is to find a consultant that charges by the hour to help us along, but keen to hear of other strategies.