Which is better for a freelance graphic designer vs an agency, based on where you are in your business journey?
Free design sites and apps are at everyone’s disposal to meet the needs of their business in terms of graphic design and visual content – that even with the lack of professional background, developing social media materials is very much possible. One just needs the vision, the software, plus a sprinkle of creativity. However, for businesses that want to invest in content creation – which, in reality, is the bread and butter of effective digital marketing – outsourcing the task is a readily available option, too. However, which is the better option? A freelance graphic designer vs an agency?
Should a Startup Choose Between a Freelance Graphic Designer vs an Agency?
Yes! There’s no rule that only established businesses have the right to not slave away after content creation tasks and outsource the job to groups of people who are adept at it.
Even the smallest biz can say ah, this job is not for me, and therefore, relegates the task to someone who can do it more quickly and effectively. Sure, It would require money, but the amount of baggage sloughed from you is more likely to be worth every centavo.
Benefits of Outsourcing Graphic Design and Visual Content
Whether you hire a freelance graphic designer or a digital agency for your content creation needs, here are some of the things you will gladly get in return versus just doing the work on your own:
You Can Allocate More Time to Other Things
Whether it’s for meeting up with potential partners or improving your customer service, taking off content creation (which eats up a lot of time and brain power) from your to-do list can do wonders for the other facets of your business.
You Can Keep Putting Out Content
Since they are more in the groove with the task of content creation, you wouldn’t have to undergo a long (and maybe futile) stretch of artwork development – just outline your requirements, and they will deliver based on those.
Collaboration Leads to Better Outputs
As with any productive collaborative efforts, it is more than likely that your idea – when thrown at them – will spawn into a better, more cohesive one. The best thing yet: You know it will come to fruition because you are working together with people who have the tools of the trade to make it happen.
More Cost-Effective
Since they’re not in-house, you won’t have to allocate space and monthly salary for them. You have to strike the best deal with them so both get the best ends of the stick.
Freelance Graphic Designer vs Agency
Whether you hire a freelance graphic designer or a digital agency for your content creation needs, here are some of the things you will gladly get in return versus just doing the work on your own:
You Can Allocate More Time to Other Things
Whether it’s for meeting up with potential partners or improving your customer service, taking off content creation (which eats up a lot of time and brain power) from your to-do list can do wonders for the other facets of your business.
You Can Keep Putting Out Content
Since they are more in the groove with the task of content creation, you wouldn’t have to undergo a long (and maybe futile) stretch of artwork development – just outline your requirements, and they will deliver based on those.
Collaboration Leads to Better Outputs
As with any productive collaborative efforts, it is more than likely that your idea – when thrown at them – will spawn into a better, more cohesive one. The best thing yet: You know it will come to fruition because you are working together with people who have the tools of the trade to make it happen.
More Cost-Effective
Since they’re not in-house, you won’t have to allocate space and monthly salary for them. You have to strike the best deal with them so both get the best ends of the stick.
Freelance Graphic Designer vs Agency
Scouring for agency options is much easier. Since their competition is much tighter, agencies quickly show off online. You can find the projects they’ve worked on, the people that make up their team, and the like. With this out in the open, you have more assurance that they will not run out on you in the middle of a project.
Typically, an agency can offer more related services than just artwork development. They can do the A/B testing for you, ensuring that your materials are more effective than the last, among other things.
The downside: Requests, even revisions, may take time, as agencies follow a rigid workflow to serve all their clients efficiently – often notwithstanding a rushed timeline due to the client’s issues. You will have to make adjustments, too, based on their other working system. And, of course, they tend to be pricier.
Tips for More Effective Outsourcing of Content Creation
You must do your work and hire the right person/group because it can make or break your brand. Consider doing the following before signing the deal with your preferred content provider:
Ask Around
No amount of internet surfing will beat the good ol’ sourcing recommendations from the grapevines. Ask your colleagues for leads, and then go from there!
Review Portfolios Thoroughly
Whether you’re hiring a freelance graphic designer or a digital agency, requesting their current work should come first. Get to know their abilities and see if it matches with your vision. A portfolio will also prove they are someone you can trust to work with.
Ask the right questions, too. What is their creative and design process? Will you form great chemistry together?
Draw Up a Foolproof Contract
Even if the transaction is with a freelancer, it is crucial to have an explicit, written agreement of your non-negotiables so you don’t encounter any issues that could’ve been avoided in the first place. Good points to cover would be the effectivity of the working agreement, who the rights to the outputs will be with, grounds for terminating the contract, and the payment terms should the work not be up to what has been agreed.
Establish a Standard Workflow
Make sure that you discuss your preferred workflow from the start. Hence, the outsourced individual/agency can tell you outright their capabilities and limitations in light of these facts. With this, you can avoid disappointments and other similar issues. Having this will also streamline the process.
Be Firm on Your Branding
Collaboration does result in excellent outputs. A pitfall, however, is losing your branding due to different minds and ways of mixing in a heap. Figure out your brand and how you want to present it to the online world, stand firm on this stuff, and communicate it well to whoever you choose to work with for your graphic design and visual content.
Don’t Worry, You Can Always Change Content Providers
Just because you started working with freelancers does not mean you can’t give working with a digital agency a try. Likewise, you can permanently part ways with your current provider if your requirements are not being met how you want them to, even if it’s in the middle of the project (you need an effective agreement for this, though). Different needs will come up just to keep up with the demands of content creation, and you have all the rights in the world to choose who suits you best, a freelance graphic designer versus an agency, at the time.
If you are leaning towards working with a digital agency, Eight Media is a well-experienced content provider whose work has resulted in the growth of various brands. Our work continues beyond delivering excellent graphic design and visual content because we ensure our clients reap the benefits of lead generation. Interested in talking more in-depth about what we can do to help your brand? Reach out to us today!
