Creative Agency or Freelancer, Who to Hire
It’s fair to describe Conspire as "small but mighty." We do.
We also really like "small by design." It truly represents a value we bring to the table when partnering with clients.
There’s no doubt we purpose these idioms to compare ourselves favorably to larger agencies. They really do reflect just how different we are from the classic big agency.
In the same vein, a case should be made for how Conspire, a small strategic branding agency, differs from the other end of the creative spectrum – creative independents or freelancers.
First, let us start by saying Columbus has some amazing freelancers. In fact, we often level-up by bringing in the city’s brightest minds when a client’s goal requires a specific expertise outside of our wheelhouse.
However, we fancy ourselves as the sweet spot between the big dogs and the independent operators. The cons to big agency are glaring: they’re pricey and rigid. We want to offer our (hopefully fair, but not exhaustive) nuanced perspective on how an intentionally small strategic branding agency, like Conspire, differs from the freelancer landscape.
PROS
AGENCY
More creative minds / varying perspectives result in more holistic solutions
Diverse industry experience
Design specialty paired with brand strategy
Full-service account management
Standardized time tracking via client portal
Integrated copywriting services
Broad array of capabilities & services
Standardized processes
Timely turnarounds without missed deadlines
Activity projections & reporting
Easy, clear communication with less headaches
Redistributed workload for new opportunities
No downtime for vacations or sick leave
FREELANCER
Low overhead means ability to take smaller budget projects
More likely to have the ability to work onsite if needed
More focused capabilities / specialties
Most likely mid to senior level
Design focused, tactical recommendations
CONS
AGENCY
Budget most likely higher than freelancer
Depending on relationship, ramp up and turn-around time could be longer due to collaboration needs
Less likely to be available nights and weekends
Less likely to have someone available to work on-site
FREELANCER
Manually self-reported time sheets
Variable weekly fees based on workload
Talents / skillset varies based on individual experience
Project outcomes vary based on individual’s specialties
Standard processes & client-integrated workflows unlikely
Client has to work with freelancer’s schedule (vacations, sick time, other clients)
Obviously we’re a little biased. But that bias comes from an honest perspective from being on both sides of the fence – or all three sides if you will (big agency, small “by design” agency, and freelancer).
We’re always glad to continue the conversation. If Conspire isn’t right for your goals, we are always glad to connect you a freelance, or big agency, that is.
