Question
I am planning to launch an online agency that offers creative design, branding and press release writing as well as marketing consulting.
While as a Marketing professional I can easily cover the management and consultancy part, I believe that i need to outsource other services such as creative design.
I have the following questions:
1- Should I hire graphic designers and writers from the beginning? or deal with freelancers?
2- If I deal with freelancers what payment structure do you recommend?
3- Should I hire freelancers to be affiliated with me all the time, or facilitate communication between the clients and freelancers and take a commission from each job?
4. Should I disclose the freelance designers names or keep it all under my name? I'm concerned about quality and business continuity.
This business model is still unexplored in my region and I will be offering services that are not offered on other websites.
Answer
Why not mix and match freelancers until you find the right fit for more long-term collaborative relationships?
Rather than ask us about payment structure, instead ask your freelancers. Propose various rates and experiment with structure. See what works in various cases.
You'll soon get a sense for which people deliver how much quality, how quickly, and at how much cost to you.
By trying out multiple freelancers or agency partners, you'll expand your network and be less dependent on particular people. That will help with managing fluctuations in work volume as well – both on your end and on theirs.
