As a business owner or manager, you’re well aware that you and your team can’t do everything. Moreover, some projects require a higher level of expertise than others. There are so many things to take care of that it sometimes feels as if the days aren’t long enough.

As a result, you may want to consider outsourcing some of your operations to free up time for your team to work on other, more important projects. Digital marketing is one of them.

Making sure you have an incredibly strong marketing approach is one of the most critical aspects of building a successful business. And It makes a world of difference who you hire while developing your marketing strategy.

In this article, you’ll learn whether freelancers or marketing agencies are better suited to your needs.

The Basics: Agency vs. Freelancer

What Is a Freelancer?

A freelancer is a self-employed marketing consultant. They are responsible for obtaining new clients, completing projects, and finding repeat work. A virtual assistant, writer, marketing consultant, content creator, or email marketer are just some freelancer marketing jobs that freelancers can do.

What Is a Digital Agency?

A digital agency is a business composed of a team of marketers. They are usually made up of either full-time employees or independent contractors who carry out marketing activities for clients. They provide services such as social media marketing, email marketing, copywriting, graphic design, and more. Some marketing agencies take a 360-degree approach to marketing, which means they can handle almost any task you have.

Pros And Cons of Agency vs. Freelancer

Freelancer

  • Skills: While you can find a freelancer who excels in your specific needs, such as website development, SEO, or social media, it can be difficult to find someone who has a diverse set of skills. As a result, you may need to hire more than one freelancer.
  • Reliability: Because their reputation is so important to them, freelancers will work hard to achieve results and ensure that your needs are met. However, because accidents and emergencies occur when we least expect them, your project may be delayed or even canceled if your freelancer encounters any unforeseen circumstances.
  • Turn-around: Freelancers typically have fewer projects than a larger digital agency, so they can devote more time to yours. However, due to a lack of resources, they may take longer to complete a project.
  • Price: A freelancer may offer a per-project or per hour rate rather than a full-time, in-house salary, which can prove cheaper. But expect a tighter payment schedule.
  • Flexibility: The main advantage of hiring a freelancer is that they are flexible and do not work in a 9 to 5 schedule; however, some freelancers may charge you extra for working late, on weekends, or on holidays.

Marketing Agency

  • Skills: A digital agency will provide you with a team of experienced marketers with a diverse set of skills. However, you will not have a say in whom you work with. The agency assigns a marketer to your company depending on your needs, company size, and availability.
  • Reliability: A digital agency will have a communication structure in place. They’ll schedule regular meetings with you to discuss the company’s progress and whether you’re on track to meet your goals.
  • Turn-around: A digital agency will have more resources to complete your project more quickly. However, some agencies may be swamped with work, and they will be pressured to deliver results for big clients with big budgets. As a result, smaller clients may receive less attention.
  • Price: The digital agency can work with you on a payment schedule that is convenient for you. However, because the agency has a much higher overhead cost than a freelancer, you may have to pay more. 
  • Flexibility: With a digital agency on your side, you’ll always know where you’re at in terms of time and be able to plan accordingly. For smaller projects or one-time tasks, some agencies can offer more flexible payment options. When working with a digital agency, on the other hand, your marketer may only be available during regular business hours, but it’s not always the case.

How to Choose: Agency vs. Freelancer

There are two main factors to consider when deciding whether to work with an agency or a freelancer:

  • Relevant Experience: The most important factor to consider is whether the agency or freelancer has experience in your industry or niche. Examine the testimonials on their websites, as well as the brands with which they’ve partnered.
  • Reviews & Testimonials: You must read customer reviews that can provide insight into what to expect from the digital agency or a freelance marketer you’re considering. You can find testimonials on Google, LinkedIn, or websites like Trustpilot.

Conclusion

If you want to grow your company, you’ll need to implement a digital marketing strategy. It’s also crucial to hire the right entity to help you market your business.

Are you looking to work with marketing strategy experts? Vonazon is the way to go. Our strategists have decades of combined experience helping brands like yours solidify their marketing plans and increase their company’s digital exposure. Don’t wait, contact us today for a consultation.