Should You Invest in a Freelancer or an Agency?

Digital marketing is always evolving, and so are the ways to hire for it. Many businesses are facing the same decision: Should we hire freelance marketers or partner with agencies? And it matters—this choice could significantly impact your marketing effectiveness and ROI.

Today, we’re delving into the pros and cons of each option to help you make the best decision →

Freelance Marketers: Flexibility and Cost-Effectiveness

At MarketerHire, we’re obsessed with freelancers. And the numbers show why: 72% of business leaders describe their experience with freelancers as “great.” But for the sake of fairness, let’s explore both pros and cons:

The pros?

• Cost-effective: Freelancers can handle specific tasks without the long-term financial commitment of a full-time hire. They generally charge between $50 and $200 per hour or a flexible retainer for ongoing tasks. Freelancers also offer the ability to scale up or down based on your immediate needs.

• Deep expertise: Instead of knowing a little about a lot, freelancers typically have in-depth knowledge in specific channels. They’ve likely dealt with the exact challenges you’re facing with another client—and can share their learnings with you.

• Direct comms: You’re guaranteed to have a personal relationship with the marketer, so no jumping through hoops to reach them or juggling different points of contact. 

The cons?

• Limited scope: Unlike agencies, freelancers may not have access to advanced tools and a broad range of skills, potentially limiting their scope.

• Availability: Their schedules can be limited, especially if they juggle multiple clients.

Agencies: Expertise and Comprehensive Solutions

Marketing agencies bring a team of specialists and advanced tools, providing a holistic approach to your marketing needs—but they can come at a cost.

The pros?

• Broad expertise: Agencies offer access to specialists in SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing, and more, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your marketing strategy.

• Advanced tools: Equipped with the latest marketing tools (like access to software for tracking and optimizing campaigns), agencies can deliver results quickly and efficiently.

• Scalability: Agencies have established processes and project management, meaning they can easily adjust their services to meet your business’s needs.

The cons?

• Less control: Partnering with an agency means relinquishing some control over your marketing strategy, which can be a challenge for businesses that prefer hands-on management. You also have less flexibility in contracts.

• Less personalized attention: Agencies manage multiple clients, which can mean less dedicated focus. And with high turnover rates, you often lose out on personal relationships.

• Higher costs: Agencies typically charge between $2,500 and $10,000 per month for their services, though high-end services can reach $50,000 per month. This equates to an annual cost of up to $200,000, depending on the extent and complexity of the services required.

So how do you make the right choice?

Deciding between a freelance marketer and a marketing agency depends on your specific business needs, budget, and marketing goals. Here are some guiding questions to help you make the call:

• Do you need comprehensive, ongoing marketing support or help with specific projects?

• What are your financial resources, and how do they align with the cost structures of freelancers and agencies?

• Does your business require the diverse expertise and advanced tools that an agency provides, or can a freelancer meet your specific needs?

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose the option that best aligns with your business objectives and sets you up for marketing success.

Today From MarketerHire: How do you structure a marketing team?

"What does a modern-day marketing team even look like…and how do I build one?" We get this question all the time. 

In the new age of digital marketing, marketing teams need to be data-driven and agile across multiple channels. There are three ways to structure your team to achieve this:

1. Structure by discipline: Employees collaborate on campaigns throughout the year, contributing to the company's revenue goals. 

2. Structure by function: A more traditional model that works great for marketers who need to work on a variety of projects. 

3. Structure by product: Big brands can arrange teams according to products (ex. Product Marketing Team for Product A)

Curious what structure would work best for you and your team? 

Ready to start building your modern-day marketing team? We’re ready to play matchmaker.