Graduates of courses such as SAE’s Online and Content Creation degree will have a diverse range of career paths open to them once they have completed their studies.
From focusing on specific niches such as search engine optimisation or content strategy to working as a marketing generalist, different opportunities will be available. What you choose can depend on how you want to manage your own schedule, work with multiple clients and your approach to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Alongside the job itself, another choice for professionals to make is the form of any role they want to apply for – if this is part of an in-house team with a company or as a freelance contractor who creates content.
Both avenues have their benefits and challenges. The appropriate pathway depends on the professional development route you want to follow, what you consider to be creative freedom and your long term career aspirations.
In our blog, we explore the different pros and cons provided by each opportunity from running your own freelance business to working for a marketing agency…
The career path of the content creator
A career as a content creator does not often progress in a straight line. Whether you’re working as a copywriter, social media editor or videographer, your path will depend on what stage and level you are at.
Perhaps you are starting out and looking for opportunities to flex your writing skills as a content creator – this might see you working in a part-time role for financial stability while you take on freelance opportunities on a project by project basis.
Alternatively, your first job might be as an in-house creative for a business where you follow strict brand guidelines and align your schedule to agency life. In-house positions can offer job security but also impact the work-life balance you want to achieve. Some professionals then choose to take the freelance route so they can have complete control of their work and be more selective about the type of projects they pursue.
This can involve setting up your content marketing agency, then ultimately employing other freelance writers and professionals to manage administrative tasks as part of a venture. As a freelancer and an in-house employee working in content, you could have the chance to diversify and work across a range of different formats.
Pros and Cons of in-house content creation vs freelance content writer
Both freelancing and working as an in-house creative offer different pros and cons. Here’s our overview of each.
Freelancing
Pros:
Flexibility: Many professionals choose to work as a freelancer due to the flexibility it offers. Often, you can set your own hours, choose the projects you work on and the location of where you work. This can be appealing, particularly for content writing professionals with young families or other commitments.
Potential for higher earning: As a freelancer, you have the potential to charge more for your services and expertise and have the opportunity to negotiate over your rates. If there are tight deadlines or turnaround times for a project, then this means you can also increase your pay too.
Build your own personal brand: If you decide to set yourself up as a contractor, then you have the chance to establish your own brand as a creative. With in-house work, often your name will not be attached – but as a freelancer, you can set out your own shop window with past and present projects. This also affords more creative control, giving you the chance to shape your work style and come up with different creative ideas.
Cons:
Irregular Income: While you can choose your own work and set your workload, the knock on effect is your income can be irregular. Rather than a monthly pay check, freelancers will need to be organised with their financial planning. Working as your own boss can lead to an ebb and flow as the needs of your clients change – and freelancers often need to invest time and energy into client acquisition too.
No benefits: Freelancers do have the opportunity to earn more but there are caveats to this in the form of a lack of benefits. Often, when working for a company, you may have health insurance, paid annual leave, a company pension and other perks. As a freelancer, you have no access to this so will need to consider setting up your own pension, taking out relevant insurance policies for you to operate as a sole trader or limited company and more.
Working in isolation: Many freelance writers often work alone – which can feel isolating for some. An aptitude for self discipline and willingness to hit deadlines will go a long way – and spending money on a desk in an office space can help with any feelings of loneliness.
Competing for work: Part of the challenge as a freelancer is sourcing work. From the start, you will need to be proactive to find opportunities and be open to collaborating alongside networking both online and in person. You will often be up against multiple freelancers who are also hungry for work. This means you need to make sure you give yourself the best chance of success by having an updated CV, impressive portfolio and optimised online presence.
Client Management: In a full time in-house role, you will usually be given tasks by a manager and have a clear line of reporting and hopefully progression. When working freelance, you will need to not only complete your work effectively but also manage your client relationships. To do so, you will need clear communication skills as well as an ability to resolve any issues.
In-House
Pros:
Stability and security: Working as part of an in-house marketing team can be great for anyone wanting to have some stability in their work. Of course, companies do go through periods of contraction where they let team members go. But when in your post, you should enjoy a regular stable income, benefits, paid time off and a predictable work schedule.
Clear lines of career progression: Working freelance can sometimes mean you take on certain projects that require various levels of expertise. You can find yourself working across a variety of different projects in a range of roles – however, when working for an in-house role, you will usually work in a linear way, moving from project to project as you develop your career and experience.
Team Collaboration: Working in-house as a content creator will usually mean you are employed as part of a wider marketing team. This should give you the chance to work with others, collaborate on projects and enhance your skill set by learning from colleagues with different experiences and skills.
Stronger Brand Alignment: Working for a company can help you enhance your skills as a content creative by gaining a deeper understanding of its culture and marketing strategy. By getting under the fingernails of a business and its values, this can help a content marketing professional refine their approach to enhancing a brand’s voice and reaching a target audience.
Cons:
Limited Creative Control: The flip side to working within a business is that while you have guidance and support, you may have restrictions in terms of what you can do with a brand and its aesthetic. Depending on the size of the company, you will likely need to adhere to marketing guidelines within the content creation process. There can also be an approval system when it comes to finalising a piece of work, and there may be more revisions due to the amount of stakeholders involved.
Less Flexibility: This can be seen as a benefit but working in-house can provide more of a structured work environment when compared to freelance work. You will often be required to work on site during traditional working hours and have limited control over projects you’re assigned to.
Potential for Stale Content: In-house writers and designers can be at risk of receiving work that is limited in terms of scope and ideas. This can be due to a company’s focus or specialism – so while adhering to the business needs of brand consistency can help you become an expert in tone, it can also lead to repetitive projects.
How to choose between freelance and in-house content creation
There is no definitive answer to whether freelance or in-house content creation is more suitable for you. In-house roles provide regular work that can be less stressful than working as a freelance creative. However, if you prefer to be more independent and have greater creative control, then the latter could be more suitable for you.
If you are working as an in-house creative considering the leap into freelance life, then remember to have a sturdy portfolio and potentially client base ready while you still have a steady income. Prepare as much as possible before taking the plunge. Ultimately, it depends on your aspirations, personality, skills and values – and studying a degree with SAE can set you up for both options. Good luck!
Study Content Creation and Online Marketing at SAE
Developing content that connects with audiences can be essential in today’s digital age for businesses and leading professionals.
With our expert team, leading facilities and creative community, studying our course in content creation and digital marketing can offer you a fantastic opportunity to take your career in digital marketing to the next level.
