The Average Day Rate for Marketing Freelancers in the UK
It’s really no surprise that in 2024 the freelance economy continues to thrive, with marketing and creative professionals across the generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z opting for independent work as freelancers. If you’re considering taking the plunge and becoming a marketing freelancer, one of the most important things to consider is setting the right day rate. The aim of this friendly advice piece is to give you the insider knowledge of the average day rate for marketing freelancers in the UK!
It’s all about the experience and expertise
As with any profession, experience and expertise play a massive part in figuring out the right day rate for marketing freelancers. The theory goes that the more experience you have in the marketing field, the more specialised your skills are, and a proven track record of delivering successful marketing campaigns, means the higher your date rate is likely to be. It’s really no surprise that clients are willing to pay a premium for freelancers who have a proven track record of delivering successful campaigns and who have a banging portfolio.
Location, Location, Location
Location, Location, Location, not the TV show, but where you live or where a company is based, influences day rates for marketing freelancers in the UK. With all salaries across the UK, higher salaries are usually found in the cities, and generally always higher in London. Marketing Freelancers who are living in London often charge a higher day rate compared to those in other parts of the country. It also works the other way, with clients based in London willing to pay higher day rates compared to those who are located outside of the UK’s capital.
Niche and Industries are key
The industry and niche in which you specialise is a key gauge in figuring out your day rate. Some industries, take finance or technology for example, usually pay more, because of the specialised knowledge and skills that they require. If you have expertise in a specific niche which is in high demand, such as paid social, or search engine optimization (SEO), you are able to charge a higher day rate. However, you still have to keep in mind the industry you specialise in, if you are a fashion and retail marketing pro, clients still won’t pay more than the average day rate, usually they pay under that.
Do you have a winning portfolio and track record?
A winning portfolio and track record of successful projects can significantly influence the day rate you can charge as a marketing freelancer. Clients are more likely to pay higher rates to freelancers who have a history of delivering results and achieving their marketing objectives. It’s really important that you create a portfolio to showcase your past work, to show off client testimonials, and use case studies to highlight what you can do and to justify your day rate.
In demand expertise
One of the biggest things that can impact the day rate for marketing freelancers in the UK is the level of competition in your specific niche. If there is a high demand for a certain skill but the amount of marketing freelancers who specialise in it is in limited supply, you have the opportunity to charge higher rates. However, if the market is saturated with marketing freelancers who have the skill nailed, it’s likely that rates just won't be as competitive.
A great example of this is social media, there are a high number of marketing freelancers who specialise in social media, which means there are plenty of freelancers to choose from, and lots who deliver results too, so naturally clients will choose those who charge the least, it’s not right, but it’s just business. However, if you specialise in marketing automation, especially in Marketo, Pardot or Eloqua, you have less competition, as there are fewer marketing freelancers with those skills in the UK. It means that clients have to pay a premium to secure the right freelancer for their projects.
The all important average day rates for Marketing Freelancers in the UK
Above all else, the biggest factor in deciding your day rate as a Marketing Freelancer is the average that people usually charge! You need to know what the market is like and how you can be competitive. On average, marketing freelancers in the UK charge between £200 and £500 per day. As always the higher rates will go to those who have specialised skills and a strong portfolio and reputation.
Insider Insights
Now for some insider insights, over the past year of placing freelance and contract marketing professionals both in-house and within marketing, creative and media agencies, the average day rate offer and acceptance we’ve had is £350 per day. This is across most skill sets and functions. It’s a good indication of what is actually a good day rate to charge and what you should aim for when taking on a new marketing project.
Let’s wrap up this article about The Average Day Rate for Marketing Freelancers in the UK
Setting the right day rate as a marketing freelancer is really important for your success in the industry, your mental health and well-being. It’s true that you need to consider factors such as experience, location, industry, niche, portfolio, and market demand when determining your day rate. However, the biggest piece of information, is what the actual market is offering and accepting, which although many reports say between £200-500 per day, our insider knowledge confirm that the average day rate for marketing freelancers in the UK is £350 per day, across most areas of Marketing, Creative and Media functions.
🌟Join Our Community 🌟
We source from our community first! One of the biggest aims for our community is helping you find freelance and contract roles within the marketing, creative and media industries. All it takes is to complete our short community members form on our Join Us page.