PMs/Producers who have done both full time and freelance work - what do you prefer/why? Thinking about giving freelance a try, but am intimidated by the prospect of leaving a salary/benefits behind.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I prefer freelance with the intent to be full-time after X month(s). I want to be able to test the waters to make sure the agency is a good fit for me, but if it's not, be able to leave with no bridges burned. Additionally, I like the opportunity to prove myself to the agency to be able to negotiate a higher salary (even above freelance rate) when hired on full-time.

However, I wouldn't recommend jumping around as a PM, if possible, because it is a decent amount of difficulty to be able to pick up learning curve-wise each place you go. As far as benefits, when I was freelancing my agency had to offer a high-deductible plan to me for being over 30 hrs/week. It was shit, but it was cheap AF. If you don't need regular insurance, it's a decent option though. Hundreds less per month than what you'd get on the insurance marketplace.

like

Freelance is great for the money and for exposure to different agencies and cultures. Unfortunately, it can also be bad for your progression. I know great PMs who have earned a fortune, but who are stuck at a level of doing rather than leading. I would always suggest full time engagements of at least 1-2 years if promotion and leadership are your ambitions. It takes that time to really understand any agency and to develop the trust, strong relationships and specific agency knowledge required to be effective. Find the right environment, where your craft is respected and where there are clear opportunities to learn and progress, then work really hard. Fast forward 3-5 years, and you will be further ahead, earning more and have a larger spread of opportunities as a result.

like

More money in freelance - for sure- nice while you're young or don't have a family. However the paid time off, vacation, 401k, healthcare and Relative security of staff are great to have if you've got kids.

PM1 is spot on. So is GS1... PTO and 401k are wonderful. It also depends on if you like and do well with routine and structure.

Related Posts

Bain & Company Can we start a salary thread to get an idea about the salaries in Europe for different job functions, I can find solid data of tech salaries (SWE, PM, etc) but hard to find consulting salaries.


My TC - 48k +2-3k bonus, Consultant, Data & Analytics, Netherlands.

EY Deloitte PwC Accenture McKinsey & Company BCG Platinion Bain & Company KPMG

likesmarthelpful

Looking to do an internal transfer at UBS. I saw they are hiring Credit Officers in Nashville. Could someone please share the salary range for an associate diretor and a diretor role? Thank you

like

What is the best salary jump you can get while moving jobs?

like

Hi Fishes & Sharks,

What will be the in-hand salary? Please guide.

Post Photo
like

What's next after healthcare for you all?

like

16+ YOE mainframe Architect/Manager salary expectations please, which company giving high pay, any leads pls provide insights.....

Thank you

like
like

Need help to calculate the in hand salary

Post Photo
like

Hi anyone working in Japan(Onsite for Indian) for Flexcube? How Oracle pays for that ?

like

Hi fishes , I want to know in which month of the year , Cognizant will give yearly increment.

like

Hi,

Can someone help me with the inhand salary for the below mentioned.

Post Photo

I am pursuing MBA +ACCA, currently a graduate with 6LPA .
What should I do to reach double digits in annual package soon?

like

Happiness and potential for growth vs. great compensation -- which one do you prefer?

like

What are the Designation level at HSBC GSC for Hyderabad location. What is the band for Assistant Manager

Hi friends, my wife has total 10 years of experience and currently working as Salesforce CRM consultant in witch.
The role offered in Accenture is in team Customer Sales & Service Sales force, level yet to be decided
What should be expected fixed portion of salary.

like

Hi,

If total CTC offered is 9LPA in TCS, what will be in hand salary ?

like

I’m in a little of a pickle but a good one. Offer A. Established “start up” doing well financially and projected to hit profitability. 130k base. Stocks offered, unlimited PTO, and 70% Medical covered. Offer B. Is at a business much larger…90k salary with 10% bonus and generous stock offering. Titles are different which is why the pay is much different. I know some may think it is a no brainer but offer A allows me to grow the department ground up whereas offer B id be apart of to just different

like

Is it possible to find a six-figure job right out of college? How long did it take you to start earning that kind of salary?

like

Trying to restructure the benefit package that is currently being offered at a Construction company. Curious what everyone's standard benefit package includes in detail. TIA

like

HNY all! I have multiple rollover and traditional IRAs, as well as a solo 401k. But (since I started paying attention to this kind of thing) have always been over the income limit to start a Roth IRA. I’ve also not done much contributing in the last few years due to purchasing an apartment and saving for renovations. Cue pandemic joblessness... if married filing separately, would you say it’s a good idea to start a Roth while under the income limit, even in this climate? Any reason not to?

like

More Posts

Did anyone cash out on TSLA? Hit $1000 today

like

Which one of you wrote this? The feels...

Post Photo
likefunnyhelpful

Anyone familiar with SmartHop?

like

Hi
I Have almost 7 years of experience .I have got a position of lead in IBM provided with package of 17.2 lpa .. I guess it is bit low for the current market jobs..Please do suggest.

like

Is the CPA designation worth it? For me it would take me 1 year of PREP courses and 2 years of PEP until i can write the CFE. And I am 27 years old right now. Also wondering if it would be crazy to pursue the CPA while learning how to code to be a developer as well?

like

Any recommendations for a church in Manhattan or easy commute from Midtown Manhattan? I live in Kips Bay and new to the States. Honestly, I know if it is too far away, I won’t consistently attend.

like

Is it difficult to get from 6month probation period to confirmation in Accenture ? Are you allowed to take leave during Probation period?

like

I am interviewing with Accenture UK for AWS Architect role. Total exp is 12 years. What base pay should I be looking at? I am moving from another country. So, no idea about UK pay-scales.

like

Hi fishes, any idea if I still get a bonus if my last day with Accenture is 01-Nov?

like

Any rumour of an inflation based salary increase?

like

I’m curious to hear which insurance company has the best work life balance for a senior commercial or middle market underwriting role. I currently only handle new business, which I love, but see that other companies like liberty make you handle new business and renewals. Any insight is appreciated.

like

How supportive are your companies when it comes to taking PTO for mental health days?

likesmart

ACD/writer level freelancer? Have awards and new business pitch experience I’m based in Denver/Boulder.

Recently took up running, and looking for a light weight but warm vest to wear. Something good for temps between 30-40 degrees and can squeeze in a carry on. TIA!

anyone know what the largest client is at FCB? talking to a recruiter but they’re not giving up details yet. thanks!

In the past I’ve wrongly thought that forgiveness brings restoration of relationships. But reconciliation requires everyone involved to respond -which is beyond our control. Forgiveness says I’m canceling that debt- it’s my marker & I’m tearing it up. I’m putting myself in Gods hands -Justice comes from Him. We mistakenly think that forgiveness is weakness as if we just capitulated. Forgiveness isn’t a sign of weakness- It takes strength to forgive. God tells us to forgive.

Post Photo
like

Hi Guys,

Is it a good decision to switch from PwC to Mindtree as Guidewire Business Analyst? They are offering 13 lpa for 2 YOE.

And how is the work culture?

like

Is there any profile which is based on purely SQL and nothing else, no excel/tableau/powerbi task.

like

Someone willing to refer a Strategic Consultant, focusing on Financial Services, with almost 2 years' work experience? I'm 24 years old and the youngest student in my MBA's history.
I would like to work in a tech/Crypto company or in the investment field, ideally Venture Capital/ Private Equity. I am currently based in Italy but my brother is moving to Singapore for his wife and I would like to live close to him and build a future there. Help would be appreciated, thank you

smart

 I heard a commercial on the radio for Verizon that said something to the effect that parents are now learning how to lesson plan. Are any of you off the hook for lesson planning? Just wondering because I’m over here busting my butt!

funnylikehelpful

Additional Posts in Advertising

Thank you all for existing on Fishbowl and for being such a supportive community. It’s been a difficult year, but at the end of the day, I’m glad to have people to commiserate/celebrate with ❤️🙂❤️

like

How much do senior strategists in LA make? Moving from NY to LA and wondering how much of a hit in pay I’ll take from lower cost of living or whatever recruiters will say

like

Dear KBS, today we received 17 all agency emails. Yesterday it was 20. Surely upper management has a better way to use their time. Make it stop. Love, KBS

likefunny

Why do people in this industry say "like" so much? It makes it annoying to, like, walk around the building and listen

like

Will the lawsuit against DMA force the victims to come forward? It’s the only way DMA will not end up in serious trouble. I’ll bet that Ted Royer and the rest of the DMA targets will follow.

like

Just saw this focus factor ad on CNN and I was speechless. What the actual f*ck?

Post Photo
likefunny

Serious question - which one lasts longer: real Donald Trump or Marcel?

like

Hey, does anyone know the starting salary for a social strategist in NY?

like

Fish who moved to London without a job lined up: did you have any issues clearing customs at Heathrow? Heard they might give you trouble if you don’t have a return ticket. (Cont. in comments.)

likesmart

When my non advertising friends complain about their 50 hour work weeks

Post Photo
likefunny

What do y'all know about Konrad NY?

like

Has anyone successfully transferred teams in the same agency? At a prior agency when my partner & I did, it was an “issue”. Trying to do something now but respect everyone. Ppl are just so protective.

like

Raise your hand if you feel like you actually DON’T get steam rolled by your CD or higher up during a pitch?

like

Are there any good agencies in Colorado? Ideally Boulder. How is CP+B there?

like

Has anyone ever worked with Kate Spade’s husband? I hear he works in Advertising. Sad day for fashion today

likeupliftinghelpful

How do you not go absolutely batshit with anxiety while job hunting?

like

Media arts lab. What does everyone think about it? Culture/work life etc?

likehelpful

Any good leads in NY right now? Or am I doomed

like

My browser history is failing me and hope y’all can help! I recently stumbled upon a website where some ad folks had compiled a bunch of idea/conceptual thinking approaches and if you clicked through there were past spots that had utilized that idea / way of thinking. I wanted to share it with a mentee and can’t track it down. It was a simple layout: grid of images w/headline naming the idea … Sound familiar?

like

I've never worked on anything for TikTok and hope I never have to. TikTok is from hell. I was on it one time for about 10 minutes and could feel myself becoming mentally unwell in just those 10 minutes. The human brain is not designed to deal with the sheer amount of sensory overload that app gives you. I'm pretty sure TikTok is one of the main reasons we are constantly hearing about how much Gen Z struggles with mental health.

likefunny

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal