So you need the help of a talented individual (or group of them) on a project.
You’re talking to a few agencies that say they can help… but you also know a couple of freelancers who could get the job done.
Who do you hire?
Here are our generalized, quick-and-dirty opinions, assuming the agency and freelancers are equally competent options…
When to hire a marketing agency?
Hire an agency if: You want some version of a set-it-and-forget-it workflow. You don’t care about knowing exactly how the work is getting done—you just want it done.
You’re OK giving context upfront and letting the agency do their thing. And you’re OK with less flexibility if project details change.
When to hire a marketing freelancer?
Hire a freelancer if: You want the option to be intensely involved with the work product, and want to have maximum leverage when it comes to revisions, edits, and how things are getting done.
You want maximum flexibility in deadline, scope, and more—and think your project may change significantly over time.
You can also hire a freelancer if you want to directly manage the person who is doing the work.
What is the main difference?
It may sound obvious, but agencies are businesses. Freelancers are individual people.
When you work with an agency, there is a barrier between you and the person doing the actual work.
This is good if you don’t want to be intensely involved in the work and you’re OK with less flexibility.
But, if you want ultimate flexibility and leverage over the final work product, go with a freelancer.
That’s our take… we’d love to hear yours!
