Freelancer
Strategy and planning
Strategy and planning
A freelancer is an independent professional who carries out assignments for clients. You might hire a freelance marketer, SEO specialist or web designer for expertise or extra capacity.
Freelance describes a way of working: a professional works on assignments for a client rather than as a permanent employee. An assignment can have a defined deliverable, such as a website design, or involve ongoing support, such as campaign management.
In online marketing, a freelancer can add specialist knowledge you do not have in-house. Examples include search engine optimisation, advertising, content and web design. Extra capacity is another reason: you have the knowledge but not enough time to do the work.
Freelance and interim are not mutually exclusive. Freelance concerns how you work together; interim concerns a temporary role within your organisation. A freelancer can therefore also take responsibility as an interim marketing manager.
Choose based on the expertise your assignment needs and the fit with your organisation. An SEO specialist has a different remit from someone overseeing your entire marketing plan. Clarify the outcome you want, the information available and who makes decisions.
Tip
Describe your question and desired outcome before looking for a specialist. Also agree who gets access to accounts and where work and documentation will be kept.
Related terms
- InterimInterim means temporary: someone fills a role in your organisation for a defined period — during illness, parental leave, an open vacancy or a project that needs extra steering.
- ConsultancyConsultancy is paid advice from outside your organisation: a consultant analyses a question, advises on the approach and often helps with the execution too.
- BriefA brief is the assignment on paper: goal, audience, message, constraints and exactly what you expect as output.