How does an agency distribute work among its members?

[gameclub]

Spoiler

I'm asking from a client's point of view. Let's imagine, I have a project that requires several different specialists:
- Copywriter

- Designer

- Web developer

If I hire an agency, do I select which team members within the agency work on my project, or the agency distributes the work itself and I don't know who will do it?
And what about the hourly rate? Can it be different for different team members, or there's only one agency hourly rate and all team members are paid equally? 

[petra_r]

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Slavik F wrote:

Spoiler

I'm asking from a client's point of view. Let's imagine, I have a project that requires several different specialists:
- Copywriter

- Designer

- Web developer

If I hire an agency, do I select which team members within the agency work on my project, or the agency distributes the work itself and I don't know who will do it?
And what about the hourly rate? Can it be different for different team members, or there's only one agency hourly rate and all team members are paid equally? 

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Clients do not hire agencies, they hire different members of an agency.  So to hire

a Copywriter, a Designer and a Web developer you first have to find an agency which offers all three, and then hire all three.

They all have their own hourly rate.

Of course, you can just cut out the middleman (the "agency") and just hire a Copywriter, a Designer and a Web developer of your choosing from the open marketplace.

More choice by far and better value for money in my opinion.

[feed_my_eyes]

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Petra R wrote:

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Clients do not hire agencies, they hire different members of an agency.  So to hire

a Copywriter, a Designer and a Web developer you first have to find an agency which offers all three, and then hire all three.

They all have their own hourly rate.

Of course, you can just cut out the middleman (the "agency") and just hire a Copywriter, a Designer and a Web developer of your choosing from the open marketplace.

More choice by far and better value for money in my opinion.

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Is that really how Upwork agencies operate? I don't understand why they couldn't be set up so that you could just hire the main agency person as a project manager and have everything taken care of. If that's not possible, then I agree that there's no point.

[pdestefanis]

You really seem to have an axe to grind with agencies... 

For some great reasons to work with agencies, see some of the comments by Charley F in this thread: https://community.upwork.com/t5/Agencies/How-do-you-make-money-as-an-Agency-Owner/td-p/567202 

[khan_naji_nawaz]

hi,

This is a very important question that you have shared. I am also looking for different freelancers e.g, web designer, quick book specialist, etc for my **Edited for Community Guidelines**requirement, can I hire individual freelancers or an agency? what would be better? please someone guide me.

Thanks!

[wendy_writes]

Slavik and Nawaz,  many of the more professional writers, editors, designers, graphics people, etc. have worked together on various jobs. We've helped clients slog thru profiles and portfolios and / or reached out to FLer we know to be excellent and honest to see if they might be interested in a job for a client we work with.

Ad agencies in the brick and mortar world are held to transparency standards; as Petra noted, this is not the case when using a web platform.  Upwork does not/can not have enough knowledge, technical expertize, time, or interest in 24/7 continuously checking on and enforcing how online agencies represented here function and perform.  

Your best bet is to form a solid relationship with a freelancer you trust.  This begins with them having proven their competence on a prior job(s) for you.  Then ask them to send you profile links of other freelancers they know who specialize in the areas you need. Introduce them.  As a writer I have referred editors, book formatters, graphic artists, web designers, UX (use experience designers), videographers, PP experts, jingle scorers, voice over talent, translators, etc. to clients I work with when a project requires these services.

We then all work together to produce the best possible end product.  NONE of these entities can work alone to make a project work.  Everything must sync.  And the only way that can happen is for all your freelancers to work as a unit on your behalf.

And again, there is  not enough vetting, specialized expertize, or control by Upwork to ensure this is the case with agencies. 

What you would be doing in the end is forming sort of an in-house agency focused on your specific needs.  And it all begins by having one freelancer you know, who has proven their worth, integrity, and honesty.

As to rates:  rates will vary depending on what the freelancer lists as to his/her hourly fee.  Clients will not be zapped with what is often the standard 15 -17.6% surcharge for the agency fee profit margin.