Freelance work or agency work: Which is better?

As the title of this article suggests, based on our own experience and expert articles, we would like to dedicate this piece to a sensitive topic: comparing 
the advantages and disadvantages of freelancing versus working for an agency . Given the saturated job market, finding high-quality professionals is not only a challenge in the world of digital marketing (regardless of whether you are a recruitment agency or a client seeking an external/freelancer for your project), but also for the professionals themselves, who face the decision of whether to become freelancers or part of the agency system. The aim of this article is certainly not to argue that one option is better than the other, but rather to provide a summary of various perspectives that I hope will help individuals facing this dilemma make a decision.

1- Freelancer or Independent Worker

Note: The order of the notes is random.

1. Independence – for example, the ability to manage your own time; there is no need to adhere to the company’s goals, regulations, or culture.
2. Customer selection – Due to the high demand for work in today’s labor market, most self-employed individuals have the option not only to carefully select customers, but also to reject them.
3. Private/Greater Responsibility – Freelancers often work alone and are therefore responsible for themselves, their work, and its outcomes. In an agency, individuals represent the team leader, or the leader who is accountable to them.
4. Building a Brand – Freelancers dedicate a significant amount of time to building their personal brand. They are very active on social media, giving public talks and presentations. They write articles and maintain a visible presence. A strong brand influences both the client’s decision to hire them and the freelancer’s ability to expand their knowledge and skills.
5. Better financial standing – Freelancers are often able to earn a higher salary in their field. At the same time, they have lower costs than agencies. The agency has to pay the overheads.
6. More time for learning – this is about having their own brand (see above). To stay ahead of the curve in their knowledge, skills, and experience, freelancers must dedicate a significant amount of time to training both within their specialization and beyond their areas of interest.
7. Self-employed individuals do not have to work every day – see point

1.  

2- Agency 

Note: The order of the notes is random.

1. A set of clear and proven procedures. Agencies, in collaboration with colleagues and clients, have established practices and rules that protect all parties.
2. Greater and more intensive internal collaboration is needed – a specialist’s expertise often depends on the success of the entire team, whose members may only be able to handle specific areas of expertise. Therefore, it is essential to find different ways to work together for the benefit of all parties. This leads to the development of further capabilities.
3. Overlap in other areas – agencies often have a broader portfolio. They have specialists in different fields, and it’s important to find common ground for better results.
4. Minor liability – The employee is protected in several ways by the agency, especially since they are led by their account manager, team leader, or supervisor.
5. Career path – if the agency is larger, it is possible to climb the career ladder to higher positions, such as team leader, etc.
6. Teamwork – The opportunity to consult and find solutions within a team is a significant advantage. Furthermore, the team is protected by a leader who assumes full responsibility.
7. Working with large clients – Due to the wider scope, agencies often work with larger clients who are particularly interested in complex services.

3- Service level

Independent

Driven by a strong desire to maintain a positive reputation and a spotless track record of reviews and testimonials, a freelancer strives to deliver exceptional service that meets all client needs and achieves the desired outcome. Furthermore, their experience working on projects online allows them to communicate effectively with project owners.

Freelancers typically work on a few projects simultaneously, so they will often prioritize your project once they’ve agreed to work on it. If the project is large, they might dedicate themselves entirely to it, focusing all their effort and time on its execution.

Agency

The agency undoubtedly cares about its reputation with clients, but the employees responsible for execution may not be as concerned. Regarding communication with the project owner, the agency has established routine procedures for contacting them and monitoring progress.

Agencies typically handle a significantly larger number of projects than freelancers, which may prevent them from prioritizing your project unless you are a major client. On the other hand, agencies’ greater human resources may allow them to complete large projects in less time than a freelancer.

4- Which is better?

Whether you’re just starting out, working for yourself, or with an agency, you can always decide to choose a new path that suits your current life situation. The most common scenario is that after gaining sufficient experience, people decide to pursue freelance work, but the opposite is also true. This is precisely what prompted us to write this article: freelancers can become employees of an agency. Since the reasons for this decision can vary greatly, I’ve decided to focus only on the points that, in my opinion and experience, lead freelancers to join an agency .