Working on the client side
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- clearThoughts
Did anybody experience moving from Agency side / Freelancing to a full time job client side?
Had a great offer and wonder whether it could be a good step or suicide.
On the positive side I see:
- Security & monthly cash coming in
- The salary is best than most agencies can offer if not double
- high position within the company
- scale of projects would be BIG and with big budgets, i.e. working with the best creatives and best agencies
- great for cv even if I can't take it no more after 2 yearsOn the downside:
- loosing freedom
- reporting to vice-presidents, presidents,and a whole lot of people probably
- working with one brand only
- dealing with company politics which is something that as a freelancer you don't have to worry much about.... The list goes on both for positive and negative points...
Thoughts? Has anybody done it?
- maikel0
I am currently working client side after many years in agencies.
Honestly it goes down to what you want to do with your career.If you are steering into MKT or Management, it can be good.
If you like designing, you better stay agency side.
- toodee0
Is it an amazing client?
How does the pay compare to freelancing?
- clearThoughts0
It's an interesting brand, a lot of potential.
I would say it's the same money I could make freelancing or a bit more. Essentially because as a freelancer you also have a lot of expenses.
- rson0
Really depends on what client. If it is company that you respect and love the brand then it may work. The good thing about agency world is the varies brands you work on. Working in-house you live and breath that brand 24/7. Now if you are talking about working for Google it is a no brainier. I worked in-house a few years ago, lasted about 6 months. I could not take all the bureaucracy BS.
- Kiko0
Tried it and hated it.
- section_0140
100% depends on the client.
- k_temp0
Question, client side meaning in-house department?
- clearThoughts0
yes
- after working for 5 years at in-house dept at a museum, i can say that i do miss dealing with clients. That's my biggest downside.k_temp
- Nicelydrawn0
I've worked for both in-house and agency and can say your initial assessment is pretty accurate. I would argue it is good to try new things and try to stick it out for a couple years if it is rough, then move on. I tend to do 2 years and then move on and it works well for me both from an experience gaining perspective and increases in pay. Good luck in your decision-making.
- clearThoughts0
Overall I think my decision is to do it, but interested in sharing opinions. I worked about 10 years in agencies, freelance and now have my studio... have to say that getting work, dealing with clients, accounts and managing people has already taken 95% of my 'creative' time away... so kind of interested to give it a shot for a high-profile in-house position.
Guess you can always leave in about 2-3 years...
- nocomply0
It sounds to me like you have enough experience in the industry to know what to expect and know what's going to be best for you.
As a freelancer I've wrestled with this question on occasion, not because I've gotten offers from client companies but just giving thought to the idea.
I think the most important thing is to know yourself. For me, I don't think I would do well in a large organization. I need to know everyone in my workplace and anything over around 50 people would feel huge. But that's just me.
What ever you decide best of luck!
- vaxorcist0
hmm.. I did this once, some time ago..
1.Is this a new position, or an existing one?
2. Is this a case where the client is hiring inside staff to REPLACE the work done by an outside agency, due to some business concern like cost, time, flexibility, direction / control / answer-ability?
3. Is this a case where the client is hiring inside staff to do some of the inside work and to be a direction-keeper for outside agencies and freelancers that you will now control?
I was hired in a "case #2" above situation, as I found out when I got there that they mistrusted their vendors, felt like they were taken for a ride, and yes they were in some ways, but not how they thought they were. It was an interesting gig, but I did find out the HUGE importance of maintaining internal political good-will, as my friendly boss left and I had a suddenly more difficult environment.
Also note that you may be a rock star with authority for the first 6 weeks or so, after that, you'll hopefully have set some expectations well, because you'll be more of a local resource and "ordinary worker" suddenly, something that's odd if you're from agency/freelance background...
- clearThoughts0
1 - exhisting one.
I think it is 3.
- panacea0
Better be damn good money, if you're reporting to the man and don't like reporting to the man.