I’ve had many businesses tell me – including all different sizes of businesses – that they’re frustrated to try and get the kind of creative output they would like. More often than not, it has to do with the cost and time burden associated with trying to manage an in-house creative team. That’s where an offshore creative agency might fill in the gaps and deliver the results you need. Let’s discuss why your creative needs aren’t getting fulfilled and how offshore solutions could be the answer.
Why Your Creative Needs Aren’t Getting Fulfilled
You could have all the right ideas and a great vision for your brand, but something is still preventing you from making those ideas into real-world things. One of the most common reasons is the significant cost incurred with keeping a full-time in-house creative team. Creative specialists, such as graphic designers, copywriters, and marketers, command high prices, and locals may charge a premium to join the board. Actually, the minimum salary for a graphic designer in the U.S. can range anywhere between $45,000 and $75,000 annually, foregoing other overheads including office space, software, and benefits. Another issue is an inflexible current team structure. An in-house team might have the talent, but often doesn’t have the bandwidth to handle every project that comes across their desks. I have seen companies get overtaken with seasonal demands or new campaigns, and their internal teams just can’t keep up. Lastly, you might be suffering from the creative skill gap. Maybe your in-house team is awesome at branding, but pretty weak on matters of digital marketing or graphic design. You probably don’t have the budget to hire specialists in all those niches.
Benefits of Working with an Offshore Creative Agency
So how can the offshore creative agency abate such problems? Let me explain why I think going offshore makes sense if you’ve got diverse creative needs without blowing your budget.- Cost-Effectiveness: The biggest benefit can be seen here: offshore creative agency can provide high-quality work for a fraction of the cost of hiring the local talent. This is very important when you need to scale fast but can’t afford a full-time team. An offshore design company, most especially those being based in the Philippines or India, may give you exactly the same talent for their money but way cheaper. Sometimes, it may be as much as 70% savings to hiring here in your own country.
- Global Access to Talent: A remote creative team will not limit your access to talent within a geographic region. Offshore agencies have ready access to talent located around the world who are specialists in all areas of creativity- graphic design, web development, branding, and digital marketing. They can formulate teams that fit your specific needs in every project. Whether you need to hire just remote graphic designers or a whole virtual design team, offshore agencies have the resources to make it happen.
- Scalability: The other thing I have found is that offshore creative agency are extremely scalable. Businesses using that agency which have highly fluctuating creative needs— maybe a lot of designers required during the product launch, but fewer during off-peak periods—can be scaled up or down according to the needs of the moment without commitments long-term.
- Time Zone Advantage: Most of the offshore creative agencies operate in time zones elsewhere; this gives one the opportunity to work on your projects round-the-clock. Imagine sending your feedback at the close of your workday and waking up to new drafts or completed tasks. That is where efficiency lies for businesses working on time-bound deadlines.
The Offshore Design Company Hiring Process
If you still ask yourself how you can hire an offshore creative agency, then the process is relatively simple but requires a rather thoughtful approach. It is not only about getting the cheapest option; you need to get an agency that will align with your goals and brand values. Here’s a quick overview of the hiring process:- Define Your Needs: Before you rush off to the agencies, take a moment to outline what you need. Are you looking at complete virtual design team recruitment or focusing more on specific talents such as graphic designers and copywriters? You can define your needs in terms of what you expect from the agency, and they will be able to offer you tailored services.
- Do Your Research: The offshore creativity landscape is pretty broad, and not all agencies are the same. Make sure to look for agencies with a proven track record, solid portfolios, and authentic client testimonials. And don’t forget to ask about the team, work processes, and turnaround times.
- Set Expectations: Clear expectation is one of the keys to successful offshore creative professional recruitment right from the outset. It refers to timelines, quality standards, methods of communication, and payment terms. Offshore agencies get used to remote work, but your project will be more successful if everyone is on the same page.
- Monitor and Review: “Offshore” doesn’t mean “out of sight, out of mind.” Stay connected with your remote workers, monitor their work continuously, and provide feedback. Leverage tools like Slack, Trello, or Asana to stay connected and ensure that creative needs are met.
How Recruitment of Remote Creative Professionals Helps to Overcome Common Issues
I know that there are some business owners who fear to outsource the creative work because of a perceived loss of control or even fear of quality output, but the right agency can easily negate such aspects. As a matter of fact, remote recruitment of creative professionals can solve many of the challenges you may be having.- Quality Issues: Offshore creative agencies are very often at international standards. They work often with clients from the U.S., U.K., Australia, and other countries. They have great experience in high-quality work and know how important brand consistency is.
- Communication Issues: This is no more a problem as there are modern collaboration tools and video conference platforms. Several creative teams thrive if they work remotely, as they are used to structured project management and clear lines of communication.
- Cultural Difference: That too is the case, but some cultural differences may be related; offshore agencies have worked with international clients for years and can easily adapt to the needs and preferences of your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the biggest advantage of an offshore creative agency?
For businesses looking to scale their creative efforts without sweating the budget, offshore creative agencies offer significant cost savings and access to a global pool of talent.How can I be sure of the quality of an offshore design company?
Look for agencies with strong portfolios and client testimonials. Clearly establish expectations regarding quality, timelines, and deliverables from the very beginning.Can I hire just one remote creative professional, or do I need a full team?
You can hire individual remote professionals or an entire virtual design team, depending on the nature of your needs. Offshore agencies offer flexibility in terms of team size and expertise.Key Takeaways
Wrapping up this discussion on why your creative needs are not being met and how an offshore creative agency can help: It is safe to say that for businesses looking for affordable high-quality creative solutions, outsourcing is a game-changer. Here are three key takeaways:- Cost Savings: High-quality work at a fraction of the cost for local talent-that makes offshore creative agencies a viable option.
- Access to Global Talent: Using offshore agencies does not tie you down to the local area, so you can tap into talents from anywhere in the world.
- Flexibility and Scalability: Depending on your need, you hire a few remote graphic designers or the whole design team.
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Cynthia David is a Principal Product Marketing Manager for Adobe Document Cloud, focusing on Acrobat, Acrobat Sign, and Acrobat Services. She has background in messaging, marketing campaigns, communications, social media, events, content marketing, and partnerships. She is passionate about understanding customer needs and connecting with customers.