The definitive guide to growing your agency without overextending your team or your budget
Shifting consumer sentiment, a rocky economy, and the rise of new technologies like GenAI are changing the landscape for marketing and advertising agencies—both B2C and B2B alike. But while on the surface the world of agencies looks different, most still face the same challenges that have dominated the business almost since its inception: lean budgets, the threat of client turnover, pricing pressure, and fierce competition.
For agencies that want to expand, take on new and innovative work, and maintain profitability, thinking critically about talent strategy will be a fundamental to ensuring long term viability.
How today’s labor market is reshaping workforce strategies
Matching project needs with the flexible talent market
The agency world is in many ways thriving: 74% of agencies experienced revenue growth between 2022 and 2023 and 84% are optimistic about growth and prospects in the next two years. At the same time, most agencies continue to run on tight margins that don’t allow for large teams, especially given that work tends to ebb and flow.
But simply keeping the team small and asking them to rise to the occasion isn’t always the answer. More than half (57%) of US workers are experiencing burnout, and overwork is a known cause. If you’re looking to win new clients, advance your agency’s portfolio, or extend the impact of your team, you’re likely asking yourself the age-old question: Do I bring in new expertise or avoid spending too much on full-time hires?
The answer is both. Enter flexible talent.
Often referred to as contractors or freelancers, flexible talent is closing the gap for teams that need support in key areas. In 2023, projects with flexible hires on Contra grew by 4X, allowing agencies to expand into new areas and embrace new tech trends.
As you evaluate the role flexible talent can play in supporting your agency, ensuring you’re bringing in the right skills is key. Skills-based hiring has taken off in recent years, and for good reason. A recent study found that 92.5% of companies hiring based on skills have seen a reduction in their mis-hire rate.
Combining a flexible talent strategy with a skills-based hiring approach means agencies can access deep functional expertise without committing to a full-time role when one isn’t needed.
For example, maybe you want to pull 3D design into your next web project and you need someone who can design in Spline, but you aren’t sure when your next project like this will pop up. Or maybe you’re running a content campaign for a client and need a team of writers who can handle ads, white papers, and video, all on a tight timeline. Or maybe your team is just stretched thin this month and you need an extra set of hands.
The opportunities for flexible talent to plug in and help are endless.
But what’s the right way to find, onboard, and manage them?
Bring on the right talent when you need it
Find top flexible experts and manage them with ease
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Contra simplifies this sourcing process. With over 340 skill sets represented across a global talent pool of 650,000 flexible specialists (and growing), you can find the perfect match for your projects. Whether you need a developer proficient in Webflow or a writer adept in AI, Contra makes discovering and connecting with experts as straightforward as it should be.
Let's face it, nobody loves paperwork. But efficiently moving from hiring to onboarding is essential in maintaining project momentum. Contra for Companies, Contra’s all-in-one platform for flexible talent, takes the hassle out of the onboarding process, ensuring compliance while keeping you focused on project delivery.
From handling tax forms to drafting project contracts, Contra’s platform covers the essentials, leaving you to onboard flexible team members quickly and confidently. This approach ensures that all HR, legal, and financial requirements are seamlessly managed, allowing you to engage with your new team members without worry or delay.
4. Manage your flexible workforce at scale
Workshop Built, a strategic creative agency, faced the challenge of maintaining their standard of excellence amid fluctuating project demands. By partnering with Contra, they sought a solution that would complement their in-house team with specialized, project-specific skills for their growing client-base.
The speed and efficiency of Contra allowed Workshop Built to quickly draft project descriptions and connect with experts without delays. This agility was crucial in keeping their growing operations responsive to the evolving needs of their growing agency.
HOW CONTRA CAN HELP
As traditional hiring models falter under the pressure of rapid industry shifts, Contra for Companies provides a robust talent marketplace complemented by a suite of collaboration tools. Whether you’re a growth-stage tech company, a digital-first SMB, or an agency seeking to enhance agility and efficiency, manage your project experts in one place.
The world’s most innovative teams
flex with Contra
Aroa Gil Bo
Head of Customer Success, Framer
Alice Pang
Principal, Purpose Built Ventures
Max Lind
Senior Marketing Manager, Webflow
