Table of Contents
Introduction
Businesses that are growing digitally need the support of effective inbound marketing strategies, especially in today’s digital landscape. Inbound marketing revolves around creating valuable content that attracts and engages potential customers for long-term business growth. However, many businesses, especially start-up companies, may find it unfeasible to build an in-house team for inbound marketing. This is where the decision to hire a contract or work with an agency comes into play.
Whether you’re beginning your career in the business or looking to exceed your existing efforts, understanding the pros and cons of contracts and agencies is essential. It’s also important to consider the effectiveness of the different types of workers when making marketing decisions.
Let’s explore in more detail the pros and cons of each type of employee and how they can support your marketing efforts and strategies in the years to come.
Understanding Your Options: Contractor vs. Agency
When you need an extra pair of hands or support with specific projects, there are two reliable options: either a freelancer or engaging with a marketing agency. Although they seem similar, there are differences between the two that can impact the results and flexibility.
Contractors (freelancers)
Contractors are independent professionals who offer specific services based on a project. This inbound marketing can involve a content writer, SEO specialist, graphic designer or marketing specialist.
Pros:
- Cost-effective and known to be affordable than agencies
- Specialized expertise with the exact skills you need for your campaign
- Flexibility depending on your project and timeline
Cons:
- Limited scope, as one person can only handle so much, and many freelancers may need to support
- Project management burdens where you’ll need to coordinate tasks and timelines yourself
- Lack of strategic insights, as not all contractors have the right marketing skills.
Marketing Agencies
Agencies are full-time services that offer support with marketing strategies. They provide in-house experts around various roles such as SEO, content, design and analytics.
Pros:
- Competitive strategy in agencies has a full suite of different marketing support.
- Project management is included throughout the whole process
- Access to a team of experts, where you’ll see the skills and people’s availability
Cons:
- Higher costs compared to working with freelancers individually
- Less flexibility due to fixed contracts
- Generic approach risks where some agencies may try to find all skills in one role
By looking into both the pros and cons of freelancers and agencies, you can decide which type of employee will work best within your business and ensure you meet the proper marketing outcomes for growth and success.
Strategic Considerations for Inbound Marketing
Selecting between a contractor and an agency can sometimes be challenging. It involves alignment with your marketing goals, timelines and internal support.
When to hire a contractor:
- When you have clear, defined tasks, e.g 10 blogs a month
- You need internal teams to manage and oversee the marketing processes
- You need to fill a short-term skill gap
When to work with an agency:
- If you’re starting from scratch and need to complete an inbound marketing framework
- You don’t have the time or capability to manage freelancers
- You won’t scale quickly
You must also remember that developing an effective content marketing strategy is an important step. Whether you work with a contractor or an agency, having a documented plan can help save time and increase ROI.
Contingent Workers vs. Contractors: Know the Legal and Operational Differences
The modern workforce is now changing, and the difference between hiring a contractor and engaging a contingent worker is essential due to marketing and compliance with HR processes. Contingent workers often include temps or project-based employees who may work under an agency or be employed by the client directly.
Contractors, however, operate independently and invoice their services during the project process or work. Misclassifying can either lead to legal consequences, including tax penalties and employee benefits violations. It’s essential to understand the benefits of your business working with different types of employees and to either hire contingent workers vs contractors to expand your marketing efforts.
Final Thoughts: Choosing What’s Right for You
Inbound marketing is seen as a long game and does require consistent, high-quality efforts. Whether you’re hiring a contractor or working with an agency, the most important thing to do is align your choices with your business goals, timelines and available resources.
If you want to take the waters or need help with specific marketing support, such as blogs or emails, a contractor may be the perfect option to provide tailored support services. But if you need a well-developed strategy across many channels, hiring an agency can be the smartest long-term investment for both your business and the project.
Know more >> How an Inbound Marketing Specialist Drives Business Growth
