When to Choose Upwork or Fiverr vs. a Professional Agency

With the upswing in freelance and remote work options, there are more opportunities than ever for individuals to find work.  This also means business owners have many more options to choose from when making new hires.  That can be both a blessing and a challenge, as business leaders try to narrow down their options.  Let’s look at three of those options this week - Upwork, Fiverr, and a Professional Agency. 

Understand the differences between Upwork, Fiverr, and a Professional Agency

Before diving into the pros and cons of each of these services, first it will help to know what each one is.  According to Upwork’s website, they help businesses find talent for a specific project.  As a business owner, you post a job description and what you will be paying.  Then you can either select a hire based on search criteria or those who apply for your job.

Fiverr operates similarly, specializing in freelance digital services.  Sellers offer their products, called gigs, and businesses pay up front for the services they want.  Whether you use Upwork or Fiverr, you typically are looking for one small and specific project to hire out.

On the flip side, a professional agency will employ several different virtual assistants, with a wide range of experience and training.  They specialize in providing overall business services and typically work on larger projects, or on a series of ongoing tasks.

Evaluate the Scope of Your Project

Evaluating whether the project will be a one time event or ongoing can help you determine which hiring avenues to consider.  Typically freelance projects, such as those hired out on Upwork or Fiverr, are smaller and shorter projects that can be completed in a fairly quick time frame.  Examples include proofreading an ebook, designing branded merchandise, or editing a promotional video.  These are tasks that can be delegated with little to no oversight and there is a defined finished product.

Those looking for longer term projects typically will hire through a professional agency.  This might include regular social media posts, writing email newsletters, or setting up a new CRM.  This would also include regular ongoing tasks like calendar management, data entry, and client follow-up.  These may be tasks you want to hire for a season or long term, but they are more consistent than those typically done by a freelancer.

Determine Whether a Long-Term Relationship is Desired

What kind of relationship would you like to establish with the person you’re hiring?  If you’re looking to order a few quick Christmas gifts for clients, you may just want the best quality product with a quick turnaround time.  While you are looking for a specific product, it may not be necessary to establish a relationship that you’ll come back to each holiday season.  This is exactly what you could find on Fiverr.  

But what if you’re wanting to hire someone who can post regularly to social media, and you want their voice to come across like yours?  You may want to consider someone who gets to spend time with you, getting to know you and your team’s culture.  This will help them be able to post with your brand and style in mind.  If this is the type of relationship you’re looking for, this will more likely lead to a hire through a professional agency.

Assess Cost-Effectiveness

Whether you hire a freelancer or a virtual assistant through an agency, you’ll likely be spending a lot less than a full time hire.  You’ll also be getting exactly what you need.  A virtual assistant will be prepared to hit the ground running.  They will be trained in a wide range of software platforms and services, and while they may need an introduction to your industry specific needs and programs, they’ll be able to pick that up quickly.  You’ll typically pay a monthly retainer fee for a specific number of hours.

If you hire a freelancer, you’ll have an upfront and one time cost.  You’ll be able to go into a project knowing exactly what you’ll be paying for it and when your deadline is.  This can be very helpful if you need to stay under budget for a specific item or service.

Compare Quality and Portfolios

It’s always nice to know the quality of work you’ll be receiving from your hire.  If you’re looking to order a specific product, ask the freelancer for pictures of their previous work.  This will give you an idea of what their level of professionalism is like, and what quality of product you’ll be receiving.  Also, if they have feedback from previous customers, it’s worth reading through those comments.  On the same token, it’s a good idea to research a professional agency.  Search for Google reviews of an agency to get a feel for what their previous clients have said about them, and browse their website for client testimonials.

Make a Decision

At some point, you’ll have to make a decision of what kind of service to use.  Upwork and Fiverr can be great if you’re looking for a short project or if the work requires specialized training (IT, legal, engineering, or design work).  If you have larger or more complex projects, or if you have consistent tasks you want to delegate, then hiring an agency may be more worth your time.  An agency is also a good choice if you are wanting to establish a relationship with your hire, or have more input on when and how a job is done.

If you decide a professional agency is a good fit for you and your business needs, we’re always glad to chat with you.  Schedule a free online possibilities chat today.