Hiring a Full-Time Video Employee vs a Freelancer: What’s Better for Your Business?
- Brad Brown
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
As video marketing continues to grow, more businesses are asking the same question:
Should we hire someone full-time to handle video and social media, or work with a freelancer?
If you’re a business owner in Lorain County, Amherst, or Northeast Ohio, you’ve probably seen job postings for in-house content creators. While hiring a full-time employee can make sense in some situations, it’s not always the most practical or cost-effective option—especially for small to mid-sized businesses.
Let’s break down the real differences so you can make the best decision for your business.
The Real Cost of Hiring a Full-Time Video Employee
At first glance, hiring a full-time employee may seem like a straightforward solution. But the actual cost goes beyond salary.
Here’s what businesses typically need to consider:
Salary: $40,000 – $60,000+
Payroll taxes and insurance
Benefits (healthcare, PTO, etc.)
Equipment (camera, lighting, software)
Training and onboarding
When everything is added up, the true cost of a full-time video employee can easily reach:
$55,000 – $75,000+ per year
For many local businesses, that’s a significant investment.
The Cost of Hiring a Freelancer
Working with a freelance video professional is a much more flexible approach.
Instead of committing to a full-time salary, businesses can invest in video only when they need it.
Typical freelance options might include:
Individual videos (ex: $300 – $500)
Monthly content packages ($500 – $2,000+)
This allows businesses to control costs while still getting professional-quality content.
Pros of Hiring a Full-Time Employee
There are situations where hiring in-house makes sense.
Consistency
A full-time employee can create content regularly and be available during business hours.
Deep Understanding of Your Business
Over time, an in-house employee becomes familiar with your brand, services, and workflow.
Immediate Availability
Need something filmed quickly? A full-time employee is already there.
Cons of Hiring a Full-Time Employee
For many businesses, the downsides can outweigh the benefits.
High Cost
The biggest factor is cost. A full-time hire is a long-term financial commitment.
Downtime
Most businesses don’t need video production every day. This can lead to periods where an employee is underutilized.
Management & Oversight
Hiring an employee also means managing their workload, training, and performance.
Pros of Hiring a Freelancer
For many businesses in Lorain County and Northeast Ohio, freelancers offer a more practical solution.
Lower Cost
You only pay for the work you need—no long-term salary commitment.
Flexibility
Scale up or down depending on your needs.
Professional Quality
Freelancers often bring specialized experience and equipment, delivering high-quality results.
Faster Start
No hiring process, onboarding, or training required.
Cons of Hiring a Freelancer
To be fair, there are a few limitations.
Scheduling
Freelancers aren’t on-site full-time, so filming needs to be scheduled in advance.
Not Fully Embedded
They won’t be part of your day-to-day operations like an employee would be.
What’s the Best Option for Your Business?
For many small and mid-sized businesses, the smartest approach is to start with a freelancer.
This allows you to:
test video marketing without a major investment
see what type of content works best
build a consistent presence over time
As your business grows and your need for content increases, you can always consider hiring in-house later.
A Simple Way to Get Started with Video
If you’ve been thinking about using video but aren’t ready to commit to a full-time employee, starting small is often the best move.
A simple, professional video can help your business:
build trust
stand out online
attract more customers
How Your Video Department Can Help
Your Video Department works with businesses across Lorain County and Northeast Ohio to create professional video content without the need for a full-time hire.
Whether you’re looking to test video marketing or build a consistent content strategy, we make it simple and cost-effective.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re considering video for your business but aren’t sure where to start, let’s talk.
Contact Your Video Department to discuss your goals and create a plan that works for your business.
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