Agency, in-house marketer or freelancers: how to choose.

Start with the work

List the next three months of work: strategy, campaigns, design, copy, filming, website and analysis. Estimate frequency and assign responsibility for priorities. A job title or service list does not show actual capacity.

Where each model fits

An employee fits when there is enough ongoing work for the role and access to complementary specialists. Freelancers can suit bounded assignments when someone can brief and coordinate them. An agency can combine skills and coordination within an agreed scope.

• Employee: close business knowledge; recruitment and management remain internal.
• Freelancers: flexibility by specialism; someone must integrate the work.
• Agency: team and coordination; priorities, capacity and approvals must be explicit.

Compare costs and responsibilities

For an employee, include the full employment cost, tools and required external services. For freelancers, add coordination time. For an agency, check inclusions and additional fees. Media spend and filming costs still need to be accounted for.

A hybrid model can fit

An agency can complement an existing marketer. Agree who briefs, produces, launches campaigns, responds to leads and approves budgets. To scope work with HUGE, describe your team and the responsibilities you want to transfer.