Freelancer vs Agency: Which One’s Better for Your Business in 2026?
If you’ve ever felt burned by a marketing agency or overwhelmed trying to do it all yourself, you’re not alone.
Choosing between a freelancer and an agency can feel like a coin toss — one promises “scale”, the other promises “personalised service”. But in reality, what most business owners want is simple: results, transparency, and a partner who actually gives a sh*t.
So, let’s break down what really matters when choosing who to trust with your marketing — and why, in 2026, the freelancer model is quietly (and deservedly) taking over.
1. Let’s Start with the Obvious: Agencies Have OverheadS
There’s nothing wrong with agencies; some do great work. But the model itself comes with baggage. Big teams, fancy offices, layers of account managers, and yes… the occasional lunch date with a ping-pong table.
All that overhead doesn’t make your ads perform better; it just makes them more expensive.
When you hire a freelancer, you’re paying for expertise, not office rent. My pricing stays competitive because you’re not funding “team culture days” or “Friday arvo drinks.” Every dollar you spend goes into actual campaign performance.
2. No Lock-In Contracts — Because the Work Should Speak for Itself
One of the biggest frustrations I hear from new clients is that they felt trapped in long-term agency contracts, even when results weren’t there.
Here’s my approach: if I’m doing my job well, you’ll want to keep working with me. Simple as that.
That’s why I don’t do lock-ins. You stay because the work works, not because you’re legally bound to ride it out.
3. You Get Real Reports — Not Auto-Generated PDFs
We’ve all seen them. The 30-page monthly report full of colourful graphs and industry jargon that somehow says nothing.
I don’t do that.
You get real reports with real insights — clear metrics, what they mean, and what we’re doing next. I explain what’s working, what’s not, and where your money’s actually going.
It’s transparency without the fluff.
4. When You Work With Me, You Get Me
No juniors. No middle managers.
When you hire me, I’m the one building your campaigns, analysing your data, and optimising your ads. Every strategy, headline, and budget decision comes directly from me.
That means faster communication, better consistency, and someone who actually knows your brand inside out.
5. Why Freelancers Win on Performance (and Accountability)
When you work directly with a freelancer, you’re partnering with someone whose name is literally attached to the results. There’s no hiding behind a logo or a vague “we’ll get back to you.”
I’m accountable for every click, lead, and conversion, and I like it that way.
Agencies can juggle 20+ accounts with different teams and workflows. I focus on fewer clients so I can go deeper, not wider. You’re never just another invoice; you’re part of a small, hands-on group of businesses I personally help grow.
6. But Don’t Freelancers Get Overwhelmed?
A fair question, and the answer is yes, some do. But I’ve built my systems around efficiency and strategy, not volume. I’ve also been doing this for over 15 years. I’ve learnt some things.
I’d rather manage ten brands exceptionally than fifty “sort of okay.” That’s how you get consistent performance and long-term ROI. Not by spreading yourself thin, but by truly understanding each client’s data, message, and goals.
7. The Sweet Spot: Agility + Experience
Working with a freelancer doesn’t mean compromising on skill. I’ve worked with a wide range of businesses and budgets, across both Google Ads and Meta Ads, and I bring that experience into every campaign.
You get the agility of a freelancer with the strategic depth of an agency — minus the inflated pricing and ego.
8. Final Thought: The Industry’s Changing, and So Are Expectations
In 2026, businesses are done with being over-serviced and under-delivered. They want honesty, responsiveness, and results that make sense.
That’s what I offer:
No lock-ins.
No fluff.
No juniors.
Just clear strategy, honest communication, and performance you can see.
Because the truth is, marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be done properly, by someone who cares about your results as much as you do.
Tired of paying for ping-pong tables instead of performance? Let’s chat about how I can make your marketing budget actually work for you.
