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Glossary

Freelancer

operations & toolsUpdated October 2026 · reviewed by the Forge team

An independent contractor an agency hires on a flexible, per-project basis to add skills or capacity without a permanent hire.

For example, an agency keeps a roster of trusted freelance writers and developers it calls on when projects spike. It scales up for a big launch and back down afterwards, paying only for the work without carrying the fixed cost between projects.

Why it matters to your firm: freelancers give an agency elastic capacity - a way to take on more work or specialist skills without the risk of a full-time salary. Used well they protect margin and flexibility; the trade-off is managing quality, availability and confidentiality across people who are not on the team full time.

Common mistakes
  • Relying on a freelancer with no backup.
  • No clear contract on IP and confidentiality.
  • Misclassifying a freelancer who is really an employee.
Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What is a freelancer?

An independent contractor an agency hires on a flexible, per-project basis to add skills or capacity without a permanent hire.

What is the difference between a freelancer and a subcontractor?

Largely overlapping - 'freelancer' usually implies an individual hired flexibly, while 'subcontractor' stresses the contractual relationship of delivering part of a project.

Why do agencies use freelancers?

For elastic capacity and specialist skills without the fixed cost and commitment of a permanent hire.

How do agencies manage freelancers well?

Clear briefs and scope, reliable availability, a confidentiality and IP agreement, and enough markup to cover management.

Keep reading

Related terms

Subcontractor →Capacity planning →Bench time →

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