Should My Business Work With a Freelancer or an Agency
On the surface, the question sounds simple. Should you hire a freelancer or an agency for your brand. But the world of creative work is rarely simple. Every freelancer and every agency works differently, prices differently and communicates differently. The real question is not which one is better, but which one is better for you, right now. And yes, I am slightly biased toward the freelancer and boutique agency side of life, but not because it is cute or scrappy. It is because small teams and independent experts often deliver the kind of focus and honesty that larger agencies cannot always match.
In This Blog We Will
Look at the real difference between freelancers, boutique agencies and the bigger agency world. We will explore what clients do not always see behind the scenes and help you decide which one suits your business right now.
<a href="#gap">Why this is not a simple choice</a>
<a href="#freelancers">The reality of working with freelancers</a>
<a href="#agencies">The truth about agencies</a>
<a href="#compare">Who suits which client</a>
<a href="#choose">How to choose the right one</a>
Why This Is Not a Simple Choice
There is no one size fits all answer here. Some freelancers operate like mini agencies with well tested processes, support networks and the ability to scale when needed. Some agencies are actually just one person with a fancy logo pretending to be a team.
On the other hand, there are large agencies with impressive structures, deep resources and skilled teams. And then there are some that outsource almost everything to freelancers you will never meet.
What you see is not always what you get, and that is exactly why this decision deserves a bit more thought.
The Reality of Working With Freelancers
Here is something clients often do not realise. Agencies rely on high quality freelancers all the time. In fact, many agencies would love to hire these freelancers full time but cannot afford them. Freelancers choose independence for a reason. We pick our projects, we focus on quality and we work directly with clients we connect with.
A freelancer who takes you on is choosing you deliberately. There is personal investment, pride and sometimes a little stubbornness involved. Failure is not an option because our reputation is built project by project. We want to care about your work and we want it to perform.
Working with a freelancer often means direct communication with the person who is actually doing the work. No middle layer. No telephone game. You get clarity, truth and the occasional blunt but honest answer.
The pros of hiring a freelancer
You get
Direct access to the expert
Personal investment in your project
Flexibility and faster problem solving
Better value for money as there are no large overheads
A partnership where you feel seen and heard
The cons of hiring a freelancer
You may need
To be patient with creative personalities
To handle separate invoices if support people are involved
To adapt if the freelancer has a full calendar
A little more involvement in communication and direction
Small price to pay for someone who genuinely cares about your brand. We always care, find out more about our work here.
The Truth About Agencies <a id="agencies"></a>
Agencies are built to look polished. You get account managers, structured processes and the appearance of a well oiled machine. For some clients, this is a dream. One point of contact, tidy updates and a sense that everything is handled.
But here is the catch. Account managers are not the creatives doing the work. Their job is to keep you happy, retain your contract and keep the workflow profitable. They can promise things the creative team has no idea about until it lands on their desk with a small thud and a mild panic.
The actual creatives may have little say in the projects they work on. They are assigned, not engaged. They might be brilliant, or they might be very junior and learning as they go. You simply might not know.
The pros of hiring an agency
You get:
A structured system
A safe and managed process
Cross discipline skills under one roof
Scalability for larger projects
The cons of hiring an agency
You may encounter
High fees that cover everything from rent to office plants
Layers between you and the creative team
The risk of juniors doing senior work
Contracts that keep you tied in even if the fit is not right
An agency is not always a bad choice. It just depends on what you need and how you like to work.
Who Suits Which Client
Clients who thrive with freelancers
Often
Experienced business owners
People who value honesty over polish
Clients who want to understand the thinking behind the work
Clients who appreciate the personal touch and real connection
They want conversation with the person shaping their brand. They want clarity, partnership and practical insight.
Curious about how we work? Have a look at our services.
How To Choose the Right One For You
Here is how to make the decision without losing your mind.
Be honest about the scope
If your project is huge, one person might not cut it. If it is focused, you might not need a full team.
Ask the right questions
Ask a freelancer if they truly want the job and if they have capacity.
Ask an agency who will actually be doing the work. You have the right to know.
Check the portfolio carefully
If the work looks fantastic, ask about the context.
Big budgets do wonders in a portfolio.
Small budgets show creative skill.
Consider the relationship
This is a partnership. You want to work with people who get you. You should feel comfortable asking questions and sharing concerns.
Think about the long term
Who feels more stable. Who feels more reliable. Who feels more invested in your brand. Trust is everything here.
So Which Is Better?
Neither. And both. It depends entirely on your project, your personality and your appetite for collaboration.
But here is the truth as I see it. Working with a freelancer or a boutique agency often gives you a level of attention, honesty and craft that large agencies struggle to match. There are no layers, no noise and no detached creative team hidden behind an account manager. What you see is what you get and that honesty has real value.
If you want someone who cares deeply about your brand and is personally invested in the outcome, the independent route is usually the way to go. If you want structure, formality and a single point of contact, a larger agency might suit you better.
Either way, choose the people who make you feel understood. Choose the people you can look in the eye. Choose the team that feels like the right fit rather than the one with the biggest office plants.
My name is Bex, and if you’re looking for a social media freelancer who takes the time to really understand your business — not just your posting schedule, you’re in the right place. Manchego creative is a leading social media freelancer based in Glasgow Scotland. Let’s talk.
