Why Hire a Freelancer Over a Small Agency for Your SaaS Ads Strategy?
As a small to medium SaaS company, you're likely focused on making every euro in your marketing budget count. When it comes to managing your advertising campaigns, you have two main options: hiring a freelancer or working with a small agency. With a budget starting at €1,500/month, the decision may not be easy. Both options have their merits, but freelancers often bring unique advantages that make them the ideal choice for SaaS businesses looking for personalised, results-driven solutions.
Here’s why hiring a skilled freelancer could be the best investment for your business.
1. Dedicated Expertise Focused on Your Goals
Freelancers are specialists. Unlike small agencies, which often divide their time across multiple clients with team handoffs, a freelancer handles your account personally. This means you’re not paying for layers of management or junior staff; instead, you get direct access to someone with experience and a track record of success in performance marketing.
For SaaS companies, where ads need to be tailored to specific industries and buyer personas, having someone deeply invested in understanding your product and audience is invaluable. A freelancer will dig into your ideal customer profiles, map their buyer journey, and craft campaigns that resonate.
2. Personalised Service and Agility
Freelancers are known for their flexibility. With no large teams or rigid processes to navigate, they can quickly adapt to your needs, whether it’s pivoting a campaign or testing a new platform. This agility is particularly important in the SaaS world, where the market moves fast, and your ad strategy needs to keep up.
In contrast, small agencies often work with fixed workflows and standardised packages. Customisation may come at an additional cost, and requests can take longer to process due to internal bureaucracy.
3. Transparent Pricing and Ownership
One major advantage of hiring a freelancer is cost transparency. Many small agencies charge fees tied to your ad spend or bundle services that may not directly benefit your campaigns. With a freelancer, you pay for their time and expertise, not unnecessary overhead.
Moreover, freelancers typically ensure you retain full ownership of your accounts. You’ll have complete access to campaign data, ensuring you can review performance or switch providers without losing insights.
4. Deep Platform Knowledge
Freelancers often specialise in a range of ad platforms, from Google Ads to Meta, LinkedIn, and beyond. They can recommend the right mix for your SaaS business, tailoring strategies to your goals—whether you’re targeting enterprise buyers on LinkedIn or driving free trial signups via Google.
Small agencies, while capable, may lack the depth of platform-specific expertise you need, especially if they spread their team across multiple channels without a dedicated expert for each.
5. No Long-Term Contracts
Freelancers typically offer flexibility with their terms. You won’t need to lock yourself into a long-term contract, and if you decide to pause or scale back, a freelancer is more likely to accommodate these changes without hidden fees.
In comparison, small agencies often tie clients into contracts, making it harder to adjust your engagement if your needs or budget shift.
6. A Partner Invested in Your Success
Freelancers build their reputation on results and client satisfaction. For many, their business relies on word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat clients, meaning they’re deeply invested in delivering success.
When you work with a freelancer, you’ll typically get someone who takes a proactive approach, analysing performance regularly and providing actionable insights to maximise ROI. For a SaaS business, this kind of attention can make a significant difference in scaling effectively.
7. The Best of Both Worlds
For €1,500/month, a small agency will likely assign your account to an entry-level or junior account manager. These individuals may be talented, but they are often still learning the nuances of managing complex campaigns or working with SaaS clients specifically. Additionally, they are likely responsible for juggling multiple accounts simultaneously, which means their attention is divided, and your campaigns may not receive the focused care and strategic insight they require to thrive.
By hiring a freelancer, you bypass the layers of agency hierarchy and gain direct access to an experienced professional who specialises in performance marketing for SaaS businesses. A freelancer is hands-on, personally managing every aspect of your campaigns—from strategy to execution to optimisation—ensuring no detail is overlooked.
When you choose a freelancer, you’re not just outsourcing tasks—you’re hiring a dedicated partner committed to helping your SaaS business grow. This level of personal investment and expertise is hard to match within the same price range at a small agency.
Is a Freelancer Right for Your SaaS Company?
Choosing between a freelancer and a small agency ultimately depends on your specific needs. If you value personalised service, direct access to expertise, and flexible collaboration, a freelancer is often the better choice—particularly when working within a €1,500/month budget.
Freelancers thrive on delivering results for SaaS companies like yours. They combine the adaptability of an in-house hire with the expertise of an external consultant, giving you the best of both worlds.
If you’re ready to unlock the full potential of your ad campaigns, let’s talk! I specialise in helping SaaS companies scale through tailored advertising strategies across multiple platforms. With over seven years of experience, I’ll ensure your campaigns deliver measurable growth—without the overhead of an agency.
