Content Agency or Freelancer for Hire: What’s the Difference?

Looking to outsource content? Freelancers and agencies are both solid options, but an agency will usually give you a more comprehensive approach.

Outsourcing content writing can be one of the best choices you’ll ever make for your business. Doing so allows you to save time and money while improving your online presence and increasing revenue. 

The decision to hire out is only the first step, though. You have options as to who should take on your writing or marketing needs, including working with either a content agency or a freelancer. Each brings its own benefits to the table, but there are some key differences you need to know about. 

Benefits of a freelancer for hire

Let’s start with freelance writers. These workers run their own one-person businesses wherein they set or agree to a price for the content they produce. Their hours are flexible and they are often available on an on-demand basis. Many freelance writers charge by the hour or word, so they can be more cost-effective than working with a company. 

The benefits of hiring a freelancer for hire include:

• Affordability
• Professionalism
• Flexibility
• Quick turnaround
• Last-minute availability
• Straightforward services
• Hired only as needed

A freelancer will generally only specialize in one service, however. They tend to be really good at one or two things, like copywriting or proofreading, but they may not be able to help you with social media or design. They’re also likely working for other clients at the same time, so they may not be able to take on more than what you initially hired them to handle.

Benefits of hiring an agency

Marketing or content agencies offer teams of experts devoted to your business. They may be a bit pricier than solo writers, but they provide many more services than freelanc writers do. The benefits of hiring a marketing agency include:

• Strategizing assistance 
• Services beyond writing, like design, analytics, social media, email outreach, video, research, etc.
• Customization of services for your business
• Multiple people working on your account
• Editorial standards
• Use of software and applications
• A one-stop shop for marketing needs
• Standard rates

While freelance writers may provide more flexibility, agencies give you a wider service offering and work in close collaboration with you to meet your goals.

Why choose a marketing agency?

Your initial reflex may be to hire a freelance writer to save money and only get help when you need it. You’re trying to run a business, after all, and cost is always one of the biggest (if not the top) considerations when making any decision. 

But, there are a few reasons why choosing an agency could be the right choice, especially if your business is at the stage when you’re trying to attract more customers and grow. Let’s walk through the ways agencies win out:

Bundled services

Hiring a freelancer may give you affordable access to great writing, but you may then have to hire additional freelancers to handle design, editing, or marketing. Why not get it all in one place, with one monthly fee?

Dedicated team

Freelancers will work their hardest to align your content with your brand voice, but an agency generally works more closely with your business. It will help you identify your marketing and content goals, plus put the steps in place to actually accomplish them. Instead of just hiring someone to send you copy, work with a team who is committed to helping you succeed with a holistic plan.

Reliable services

First, it’s important to note that many freelancers are reliable, dedicated, and great at their jobs. Hustling is how they make a living. They only have themselves to report to make it all happen, though. No one can pick up the slack for them when they’re sick or have an emergency, for example, so they’ll have to delay services. Working with an agency ensures someone will deliver as promised. Services are thus always going to be reliable, and accountability isn’t something you’ll have to worry about.

Creating a plan for you

Let’s be honest, you’re probably not a marketing expert if you’re reading this article and wondering how best to outsource content writing. A freelancer for hire probably won’t be able to create an entire marketing strategy for you and ensure that it’s realized. 

Agencies are staffed by marketing and content experts, so they take the wheel when you’re not sure where to go next. Marketers know where one landing page or blog post fits into your overall strategy, and will make sure your brand is cohesively represented on the internet. They will monitor your website, social, email, and other initiatives, making sure everything is churning along as planned. They can also pivot their approaches when they see a weakness. This set of considerations is probably the best reason to go with a marketing agency.

Why hire ContentBacon?

Are you looking for comprehensive, customized content services from a team of experts? ContentBacon is here to give you just that. Behind our deliverables is a team of writers, editors, marketers, strategists, and designers who create one consistent brand voice across your channels. We ensure that every piece of content we create for you is original, relevant, and extremely tasty.

Our team is here to help you develop a stronger marketing flywheel to build momentum for your business, which means you make better connections with your audiences. Our services include content marketing, analytics, social media, email marketing, web copy, and marketing strategizing. We give you three monthly subscription options so you can pay for only what you need right now and scale later. 

Get started with better content marketing by contacting the ContentBacon team.