Is it worth collaborating with 360° agencies if you’re a freelancer? Specific figures and realities

Thinking about collaborating with a 360° agency because you’ve heard it’s an easy way to ensure a steady stream of assignments, access to large projects, and peace of mind when your calendar is empty? On the other hand, are you afraid it will mean working ‘for someone else’ for half the rates you could earn on your own? The truth is, a 360° marketing agency can be both a turbo boost for your freelance work or a ball and chain if you choose the wrong partner and don’t understand the real rules of the game.

In this post, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of working with 360° agencies as a freelancer, how much you can realistically earn, what the standard rates are, what you gain and what you lose, and most importantly — how to make the decision that will be best for your current stage and work style.

What can collaboration with a 360° agency really offer you as a freelancer?

If you’re working as a freelancer and are considering collaborating with a 360° marketing agency, this is a good time to look at the topic more broadly and without illusions. Collaboration with such a company primarily means a steady stream of assignments, which gives you a sense of financial security when acquiring clients on your own is difficult. The agency is responsible for client contact, sales, and negotiating the collaboration scope, while you focus on doing what you’re best at.

Freelancers often appreciate that 360° agencies have access to large, often prestigious projects that would be difficult to reach on your own, allowing you to expand your portfolio and gain team working experience. Collaborating with a 360° agency is also an opportunity to learn from other specialists, become acquainted with new tools, and enhance your skills in practice. In many cases, agencies provide access to paid analytics, graphic, or SEO tools, which realistically relieves your operational budget.

It’s also worth mentioning that a reputable 360° agency provides greater payment security than individual internet clients, which you’ll appreciate especially during tough months in client acquisition. If you care about regular assignments, skill development, and stability, a 360° agency can become your partner, relieving you from sales, initial client communication, and the pressure of independently building sales funnels.

Where’s the catch? There are plenty of downsides to working with a 360° agency!

Sounds great, but if the thought of working with 360° agencies as the perfect solution has crossed your mind, it’s worth cooling that enthusiasm right away. The biggest downside? Rates that are lower than working directly with a client. A 360° marketing agency earns through its margin, which means you often get 30–50% of the amount that the client ultimately pays the agency for your work. In practice, this means less money per hour, and if you’re looking to maximize profits, this might frustrate you.

It’s important to be aware that as a freelancer, you have no influence over strategy or final project decisions, as the agency takes over client contact. This means you don’t build your own image and client relationships, which is a disadvantage if you want to develop your personal brand. There is also less work flexibility, as agencies have their procedures, standards, and deadlines which you must adhere to, even if you usually prefer setting your own work rhythm.

A freelancer working with a 360° agency must be ready for quality, punctuality, and availability requirements, as agencies expect efficient communication and quick responses. If the agency loses a client or changes its strategy, there’s a risk of sudden termination of collaboration, leaving you without a project. This is the price for the stability theoretically offered by a 360° agency, which sometimes you might find illusory if you don’t have additional assignments in reserve.

How much can you really earn as a freelancer with a 360° agency?

When entering collaboration with a 360° agency, you need to know, what the real rates and billing models look like. Average freelancer rates in digital marketing in 2025 range from 25 to 250 USD per hour, depending on experience and specialization. 

Beginners often start at rates from 25–50 USD/h, intermediates at 50–100 USD/h, and experts can expect 100–250 USD/h, with the 360 marketing agency typically paying about half of what it receives from the client.

Collaboration can take place in a project-based form, where a lump sum is agreed upon for a specific project, or in the form of monthly retainers, which is beneficial if you value income stability. Retainer rates are usually from 1000 to 5000 USD per month depending on the scope of work and number of hours. 360° agencies often charge the end client two to three times more than they pay the freelancer, which is a market standard covering their operational costs, client handling, project management, and access to paid tools.

When collaborating with a 360° agency, remember that this solution is not for everyone. If your priority is a stable inflow of assignments and skill development on large projects, you may accept lower rates in exchange for peace of mind. However, if you want to maximize earnings and build your personal brand, consider conducting your own sales activities and working directly with clients, while treating 360 agencies as an additional source of assignments in your free slots.

Freelance solo vs 360° agency – which is more profitable?

Many freelancers wonder whether it’s worth entering collaboration with a 360° agency or better to develop activities independently. The truth is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer because it all depends on your development stage, financial goals, and how much time and energyyou are willing to invest in acquiring clients and handling sales.

• Freelance solo offers full project control, work flexibility, the ability to build a personal brand, and higher rates for completed tasks. However, this requires you to invest time in sales, client relationship building, preparing offers, and managing administration. Access to projects can be lower, and income stability more variable, especially if you don’t have a steady client base yet.
• On the other hand, 360° agencies offer greater assignment stability, access to large, prestigious projects, and relieve you from sales and client handling, but in return, you have to accept lower rates and limited flexibility. For many freelancers, working with a 360° marketing agency is a way to ensure a steady flow of assignments while building experience, but ultimately it’s worth considering building your own client portfolio simultaneously, to become independent from a single income source.

How not to fall into a trap when collaborating with an agency? What to take care of before signing a contract?

Before deciding to collaborate with a 360° agency, make sure you understand how this model works and what your rights and obligations are. Check the agency’s portfolio and ask for case studies to ensure they have experience in projects within your industry and deliver results that satisfy you. Clearly define the scope of services you will provide, and check what the remuneration covers and what the agency pays extra for.

Ensure clear communication and payment timeline agreement — it’s worth negotiating payment terms from the outset to avoid misunderstandings, especially with larger projects billed in stages. A good practice is to start with a smaller test project or short assignment, which will allow you to assess the agency’s work style and see if the communication style suits you.

A 360° marketing agency should provide you with regular reporting and transparency in settlements, which is crucial in long-term collaboration. Remember, you don’t have to accept all agency terms blindly — you have the right to ask questions and negotiate conditions that allow you to feel confident and comfortable. That way, collaboration with 360° agencies will become a beneficial addition to your freelance work, rather than a source of frustration.