Why work with a freelancer?
Why work with a freelancer?
Maybe you've wondered this when approached by a freelancer in the past - where's the value in it for you? Can a freelancer actually deliver what you need? Are you better off with an agency?
I’m going to help you answer these questions and more, so let’s get cracking.
Should I choose a freelancer or an agency?
Let’s start here. As always, budget is a key factor when it comes to deciding between an agency or a freelancer.
You should also consider the scale of support you need. Do you have a high volume of projects in specialist areas that you want strong strategic support on? Or is it work that could be handled efficiently by one or two people who know their stuff with fluctuations in volume across the year?
Most agencies want to be retained, and not dip in and out per project or as when you need them. They’re great at taking the reins and steering and getting through big specialist projects like rebrands but they’re less flexible. You’ll also likely be dealing with more people and longer timelines to onboard the right fit.
You won’t see these same obstacles if you go with a freelancer instead, and there are other benefits to working with a freelancer too.
The benefits of working with a freelancer
There's a huge amount to be gained from building relationships with trusted freelancers. Here's why:
1) A good fit for your budget
When looking for external support, you might start Googling or asking for recommendations of marketing agencies. Agencies offer a lot, don’t get me wrong, but they have steep overheads to manage and you'll see that reflected in the price. Freelancers, on the other hand, can help you solve similar problems for a fraction of the cost. Many freelancers have agency experience too (myself included!), so you skip out on all of those long meetings and get straight to the source of the good stuff when you choose a freelancer.
2) Expert support that slots in when time is tight
You don’t have to have a freelancer on retainer at all times. You’ve got an internal team and you know they can handle a lot, but when time is tight and you’re stretched, bringing on a trusted freelancer is a great way to gain an extra pair of expert hands when you're up against the clock.
3) An extra team member that you don’t need to supervise
Perhaps you don’t have the lien in your budget to employ someone in a full-time role, as much as you’d like to. And managing another person represents lots of little extra tasks that stack up and sap time but if you’re able to deliver a solid brief, you can trust a freelancer to crack on without supervision and deliver just what you need.
4) Learns you and your business quickly
A good freelancer will make the effort to get to know you and your business. They’ll ask about your audience, your business model, your objectives, and they’ll do some digging around your pain points too. As freelancers, we really do want to help our clients get exactly what they need! As freelancers work with many clients and may have specialist industry or sector knowledge, we’re very good at learning new businesses quickly and cutting to the chase on what we need to know to offer the best support.
5) Reduces stress and overwhelm
This is probably my favourite point. I’ve had so many conversations with clients who have too much on their plates or feel they need to try and take on projects that are time-consuming and outside of their expertise and interests. I see the stress start to dissipate immediately when we talk and I tell them everything I can take off their ever-growing to do lists. Like I said before: freelancers know about your hectic schedules and really do want to help.
How can I find the right freelancer?
You’ve probably seen just how many freelancers are on LinkedIn. So, how do you choose the right person?
To start with, you’ll want to look at work they’ve done - have they got experience in your sector? You shouldn’t overlook someone if they haven’t worked in your specific niche before, but it can be handy if you need something very quick or technical done. You should also ask if they can show you some of their work and some testimonials from existing clients to get a sense of their output.
Consider their experience level too and whether you’d give the project to someone more junior or senior if this was being looked after in-house. You’ll find freelancers of all experience levels on LinkedIn and sites like Upwork.
When you strike up a conversation with a freelancer, try to get a sense of what they’re going to be like to work with. Are they responsive to your messages and are they asking questions about you and your business? These are good signs of someone who’ll be able to deliver promptly and on brief.
Ready to work with a freelancer?
If you’re ready to start working with a freelance content strategist and writer, drop me a message today.
