How to Hire a Freelance Digital Marketing Strategist

Imagine launching a new product, redesigning your website, or scaling your business only to discover that no one knows about it. In today’s competitive digital landscape, even the best offerings can fall flat without a clear strategy to reach, engage, and convert your ideal audience.

That’s where a digital marketing strategist comes in. They’re not just marketers they’re tacticians and visionaries who translate business goals into actionable plans that deliver real results. But hiring the right freelance strategist isn’t just about credentials it’s about chemistry, communication, and strategic alignment.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find and hire a freelance digital marketing strategist who can take your business to the next level.

Why Hire a Freelance Digital Marketing Strategist?

If your business is ready to grow, a digital marketing strategist can provide the roadmap to get there. While in-house marketing hires can be valuable, freelancers offer a level of flexibility, expertise, and objectivity that’s often difficult to find internally especially for small to mid-sized businesses or startups.

Benefits of Working with a Freelance Strategist:

• Fresh Perspective: Freelancers often work across multiple industries, giving them a broader understanding of trends and tactics.
  
  
• Niche Expertise: You can find specialists in specific areas SEO, paid media, email marketing, analytics, and more.
  
  
• Agility: Freelancers can often start quickly, scale with your project, and adapt to changing needs.
  
  
• Cost-Effectiveness: You pay for strategy and results, not overhead, benefits, or office space.
  
  

Whether you need a comprehensive plan or support for a single campaign, a skilled strategist can offer high-impact insights that drive ROI.

What Does a Digital Marketing Strategist Do?

A digital marketing strategist develops and manages online marketing plans tailored to a brand’s goals, target audience, and competitive landscape. They work at both a high-level (strategy) and tactical (execution oversight) level, collaborating with creative teams, developers, and analysts to bring campaigns to life.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct market and competitor research
  
  
• Define audience personas and journey stages
  
  
• Identify key channels (SEO, SEM, social, email, content, etc.)
  
  
• Set goals, KPIs, and campaign timelines
  
  
• Coordinate execution and provide performance insights
  
  
• Continuously optimize strategy based on results
  
  

Think of them as the architect of your online presence, ensuring every touchpoint supports your growth goals.

When Should a Business Hire a Digital Marketing Strategist?

The right time is sooner than most business owners think. Many wait until sales plateau or competition heats up but proactive planning always wins.

Consider hiring a strategist when:

• You’re launching a new product or entering a new market
  
  
• Your current marketing feels disjointed or ineffective
  
  
• You need help integrating multiple channels
  
  
• You want to improve conversions, not just traffic
  
  
• You’re spending money on ads without clear returns
  
  
• Your in-house team lacks the time or expertise
  
  

Strategists bring clarity and cohesion to your efforts, aligning your goals with measurable action.

Defining Your Needs: What Kind of Strategist Do You Need?

Not all strategists are created equal. Some focus on specific channels, while others specialize in audience building, technical SEO, analytics, or B2B lead generation.

Start by asking:

• What is the main goal? (e.g., lead generation, brand awareness, eCommerce sales)
  
  
• Which channels are most important to our audience?
  
  
• Are we looking for a generalist or a channel-specific expert?
  
  
• What internal resources do we already have?
  
  

You may find you need a strategist who’s also a fractional CMO or someone who’s more hands-on with content and campaign development. Clarity here will guide your entire hiring process.

Where to Find Freelance Digital Marketing Strategists

Thankfully, you’re not limited to local talent anymore. Platforms like Loxala give you access to top-tier marketing strategists from around the world.

Other places to look:

• Toptal: For premium, vetted marketing talent
  
  
• MarketerHire: Focused on matching marketers with businesses
  
  
• Upwork: Broad talent pool with reviews and past work
  
  
• LinkedIn: Great for reviewing endorsements and case studies
  
  

No matter the platform, prioritize candidates who can show results, not just certifications.

What to Look For in a Freelance Digital Marketing Strategist

Essential Skills:

• Strong grasp of marketing funnel stages and buyer psychology
  
  
• SEO, paid search, and content marketing knowledge
  
  
• Experience with marketing platforms (Google Ads, Meta, HubSpot, etc.)
  
  
• Data analysis and reporting (Google Analytics, Looker Studio)
  
  
• Strategic planning and roadmap development
  
  

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication and storytelling ability
  
  
• Project management and collaboration
  
  
• Adaptability in a fast-changing digital environment
  
  
• Client education and stakeholder alignment
  
  

Look for someone who can think long-term, not just run campaigns.

Interviewing Candidates: Key Questions to Ask

• What’s your approach to developing a marketing strategy for a new client?
  
  
• Can you walk us through a campaign that generated strong results?
  
  
• How do you prioritize channels or tactics based on budget and goals?
  
  
• How do you report on success and adapt strategy over time?
  
  
• Have you worked with businesses in our industry or target audience?
  
  

Ask for real examples. Case studies and references offer a window into how they work and what they’ve achieved.

Evaluating Portfolios and Case Studies

A strong portfolio should include more than just screenshots. Look for:

• Before-and-after comparisons
  
  
• Strategy explanations
  
  
• Measurable outcomes (traffic, conversions, cost per acquisition)
  
  
• Testimonials or endorsements
  
  

Be cautious if their success metrics are vague or focused only on vanity metrics (likes, clicks).

Pricing Models: What Should You Expect to Pay?

Rates vary based on experience, scope, and the complexity of your goals.

Common Pricing Models:

• Hourly: $75–$200/hour depending on experience
  
  
• Project-Based: $2,500–$15,000 for strategy development and oversight
  
  
• Retainers: $2,000–$10,000/month for ongoing support and leadership
  
  

Tip: Start with a short project or audit before committing to a long-term engagement.

Setting the Relationship Up for Success

Hiring the right person is just the beginning. Successful partnerships require trust, transparency, and shared accountability.

Best Practices:

• Define deliverables and timelines clearly
  
  
• Use shared dashboards for performance visibility
  
  
• Set regular check-ins (weekly or biweekly)
  
  
• Keep feedback constructive and timely
  
  

If you’re hiring for strategy only, ensure there’s a clear handoff to your execution team.

Case Study: Reviving a Stalled SaaS Brand

A mid-sized SaaS company struggled with declining leads despite a growing ad budget. They hired a freelance digital marketing strategist to audit their funnel.

What the strategist discovered:

• Blog content wasn’t aligned with search intent
  
  
• CTAs were weak and generic
  
  
• Paid campaigns weren’t targeting decision-makers
  
  

Within 90 days of implementing a new strategy:

• Organic traffic increased by 30%
  
  
• Lead quality improved significantly
  
  
• Cost per lead dropped by 22%
  
  

The takeaway? Smart strategy wins every time.

Final Thoughts: Strategy Before Spend

Digital marketing success isn’t about spending more it’s about spending smarter. And that starts with a plan, not a platform.

A great freelance digital marketing strategist can bring structure, creativity, and insight to your campaigns, ensuring every dollar works harder for your business.

At Loxala, we connect businesses with top-tier marketing minds who understand how to drive growth with clarity and purpose. Whether you’re building a brand, launching a product, or scaling to new markets, we’ll help you find a strategist who can lead the charge.

Your customers are out there. Let’s make sure they find you.