Digital Marketing Agency vs. Freelancer: Which is Best to Hire?
If you're here, you're likely a business considering hiring marketing support. Congratulations, that's a big step! This post covers the difference between hiring a digital marketing agency vs. freelancer and will help you make an informed decision.
Introduction to Outsourcing Your Marketing
When it comes to outsourcing your marketing, you have lots of different options. I'm a marketing strategist and founder of Bud to Bloom Marketing, and technically I work as a freelancer right now.
However, I started my online business journey as a virtual assistant and have considered becoming an agency before, so I have lots of thoughts on what these different roles could mean for you.
Marketing Agency
A marketing agency model means that it's not just one person working for you—it's a team. Agencies often offer a wide range of digital marketing services, such as website design, social media management, strategy, SEO, blogging, etc. Agencies are the most expensive route, as they also have additional expenses to cover, such as salaries and even a physical office space.
Marketing Freelancer
The mid-tier level of marketing support is hiring a freelancer. A freelancer is likely an expert in one area, such as marketing. They may be able to offer a wide range of services like an agency, but unlike the agency model, it's only the freelancer working for you, not a team. This person typically works as an independent contractor.
Virtual Assistant
The lower level of marketing support is hiring a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant may not have a deeper knowledge and understanding of marketing, but instead, their job is to execute. If you already have a solid social media plan, systems, and marketing strategy that's driving results but the time aspect is holding you back, it may be helpful to outsource some of those marketing tasks to a virtual assistant.
Digital Marketing Agency vs. Freelancer
If you're considering outsourcing your marketing, I highly recommend going with either a digital marketing agency or a freelancer. Both of these options will provide you with the expertise to solidify your strategy and set you up for success.
Here are the pros and cons and things to consider when deciding between a digital marketing agency vs. freelancer.
Pros and Cons
Digital Marketing Agency Pros
The biggest pro when it comes to working with a digital marketing agency is that they typically offer a wide range of services and customizable packages. If you need a new website, social media support, and blogging services, for example, an agency might be best for you.
Many agencies have more of a corporate feel, so ideally they should have streamlined systems, making your life easier. However, note this isn't always the case, and a "corporate feel" could be a con for someone.
Digital Marketing Agency Cons
Digital marketing agencies are known for being expensive. It's not their fault—they have a team to pay and some have an office building to account for. Given their pricing, unfortunately many (again, not all) agencies have a reputation to overcharge and underserve their clients.
Unlike a freelancer, agencies are juggling many clients at once. I've spoken with clients who worked with agencies in the past, and they were not pleased with the quality of work received for the steep pricing.
Freelancer Pros
If you find the right freelancer, you have the opportunity to build a strong relationship and friendship with them. Freelancers typically can only manage a handful of clients each month, so you'll get their full attention and energy.
Freelancers are often more affordable, due to the lower overhead costs. The right freelancer will provide a higher quality of work, because they have more "skin in the game" so to speak—freelancers are paid directly by you, not the agency they work for, so they truly want you to be happy and excited by the work.
Freelancer Cons
Freelancers may not be able to offer as many services as a marketing agency can. Some are skilled in only one area, like email marketing for example. Personally, I offer a wide-range of services like email marketing, social media, launch management, marketing strategy, blogging, etc., but there are still areas I don't touch such as website design or paid ads. I do offer custom packages, but I’ll refer you to someone else if I don’t have experience in what you’re looking for.
This was a pro, but it also COULD be a con—if you don't find someone who aligns with your values, it's only your business and the freelancer. It's important to find someone you really trust will take care of your business as much as you do.
Should you hire a freelancer or a marketing agency?
That's the real question, isn't it? If you're brand new to outsourcing your marketing, I recommend finding a freelancer that offers what you're looking for and that has positive testimonials. If you're an experienced business who's focused on scaling and you have the budget for it, a marketing agency may be a better fit.
What to Consider
Areas to Outsource: What task(s) or areas would you like to pass off to an expert? If you have many different areas and a freelancer isn't skilled in them all, then an agency may be a better choice.
Budget: Do you have $3K+/month to spend on your marketing, or is your budget a bit lower? Most agencies are known for being expensive, so if you aren't ready for that investment, you can see results with the right freelancer.
Personal Touch: Are you someone who really loves getting to know the people you work with? Do you enjoy that personal touch? I know I do, and that's why I love working 1:1 with my clients. If that's important to you, a freelancer may be the better route.
Bud to Bloom Marketing Services
I hope you feel empowered to make the decision that's right for your business after reading this post. While I'm technically a freelancer at Bud to Bloom Marketing, I like to think of my business as the best of both worlds.
You'll get that personal touch because your work will be entirely in my hands, and I'm the one you'll communicate with. I also offer custom packages that provide your unique solution, similar to how an agency operates.
Within Bud to Bloom Marketing, I have a wide range of services to support you at every level, including 60-minute strategy sessions, 1:1 monthly marketing strategy, and custom packages for those who prefer to be hands-off in their marketing. If you'd like to chat more about what working together could look like, I invite you to inquire here!
