What’s the difference between Crosbyworks and an advertising agency?
Ad agencies put a number of people with varied expertise in a variety of disciplines under one roof. There is a concerted effort to perform as much work as possible at junior levels. There is a premium paid for the presumed expertise and oversight of those in leadership positions. Agency rates must cover the cost of overhead and include a factor to compensate for “downtime.”
Crosbyworks is a network of professionals who have all functioned as leaders and mentors in conventional agencies. Many have had their own agencies. They all have more than 20 years experience and a broad range of skills. Today, they choose to operate independently and cooperatively, maintaining hands-on involvement with clients and individual projects. They do the work themselves and maintain direct client contact. The work gets done faster, without the problems that can occur when instructions get “lost in translation.” Overhead is dramatically reduced because we use technology to facilitate collaboration.
How do Crosbyworks rates compare to traditional agencies? To the typical freelancer?
Our hourly rate is anywhere from one-half to one-third lower than regional agencies. Freelance rates vary greatly, but our hourly rate is typically toward the top of the going freelance rate for any specific service.
Our clients, however, typically save far more than the difference in hourly rate. Because the people doing your work are generally the most experienced in your area, they can usually complete a project in a fraction of the time logged by either agencies or freelancers. The net result is a per project cost far below either alternative.
What do you do if a project requires additional expertise?
If additional help is needed, your contact person serves as Creative Director and Account Manager. They direct a handpicked, experienced pro who belongs to our network. Our network includes resources in virtually every specialty. We also maintain working relationships with respected traditional vendors in markets nationwide for the rare instance where the scope of the project or specific need requires additional capabilities.
Do you take media commissions or markup outside services?
No. Outside services are billed directly to the client for the going rate. We provide management and oversight for specific projects only as needed as a part of the estimated project cost.
Who manages my account?
The network member who is closest to you manages your account. For most projects, they are also the one who will do the work required to see the project through to completion. No time – or information – is lost sharing strategy, directing junior staffers, or satisfying processes required when support staff is in the mix.
How do I get things started?
Visit our contact page. Use the contact form to get in touch or, if you prefer, give us a call. We’ll schedule an appointment for you to tell us about your need. We won’t try to sell you. By the end of the first appointment, we’ll decide together if it makes sense to proceed. There is no charge and you are under no obligation.
It’s worth noting that we do not accept every assignment. It’s important to us that our work delivers a positive result. A company may have underlying conditions that can adversely affect marketing and cannot, for whatever reason, be changed. We are often able to help effect change, but routinely pass on projects that we feel will not achieve the desired results.
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