Agency vs. Client-Side: Here’s What You Should Know

Not all marketing positions entail the same workload or challenges. Furthermore, the skills and proficiencies required vary from position-to-position. Below, we’ve highlighted key differences one can expect when working within a marketing agency (or firm) vs. a department (client-sided).

Biggest Difference

  • Client side will have a much more consistent and steadier workload that’s focused on a single company or brand.
  • Agencies have a more inconsistent day or schedule for the most part, having to field various spontaneous calls and requests from clients that can be from different industries.

Client side

  • Provides the opportunity to fully bond with a specific brand and focus on marketing by becoming very close with the project(s).
  • Often a long-term relationship with a niche focus. Expect to rarely, or ever, switch industries. Working within a well-defined scope.
  • Your hours may be more structured around the 9-5 work life. Although this may see a change, especially recently – historically this is this case.
  • Client side entails its own pressure, it is notably internal and your own company’s output – a significant difference from agency side.

Agency side

  • Will allow you to see work across multiple campaigns and channels. You’ll develop a wider array of skills as each client may require focus in different areas. You won’t be ‘as attached’ or singularly focused on any one brand. Much more diverse workload with a nearly limitless number of creative opportunities. You may have SEO work for a healthcare client and write content for a financial institution in the same day.
  • You may have more flexibility in your schedule, but you’ll see weekend, morning, or evening hours when the campaigns, client meetings, or proposals require.
  • Your job requires satisfying a client, and clients can occasionally be challenging to work with. Between demands, miscommunications, or abrasive interactions, you may find yourself with a more stressful workload.