Top 10 Digital Strategy Freelancers to Increase Your Social Engagement in 2024

Social media is an essential battleground for businesses. Think about it:

• There are an estimated 5.17 billion social media users worldwide
• The total global social media ad spend is expected to surpass the $300 billion mark this year.
• 75% of marketers report an increase in traffic after a successful social media campaign.

So, if you're not on the social media train, you need to jump on fast. Or, maybe you are on the train, but you're getting off at the wrong station. If you're struggling to cut through the noise and connect with your target audience, it might be time to consider bringing in a digital strategy freelancer. In this blog, we've scoured the digital landscape to uncover the top 10 experts who can help you unlock the power of social media engagement.

Our top picks of the best digital strategy freelancers

1. Nicolas G. - Best overall

2. Sherisse W. - Best for branded social campaigns

3. Brad J. - Best for email campaigns

4. Akihiro N. - Best for SEO-ready campaigns

5. Barbara H. - Best for incorporating affiliate marketing

6. Chris W.- Best for improving campaign CRO

7. Kathryn L. - Best for PR engagements

8. Michael K. - Best for paid ads engagement

9. Alesandro P. - Best for eCommerce brands

10. Stephen R. - Best for customer acquisition

What is a digital strategy freelancer?

A digital strategy freelancer is an individual who helps businesses grow by building strategies and using a wide range of skills including copywriting, content writing, SEO, social media, search engine marketing, and design.

Hiring a digital strategy freelancer can give your digital marketing direction across different digital channels, such as content marketing, social media platforms, email campaigns, and search engine optimization. 

What does a digital strategist do?

A digital strategist acts as your digital marketing expert, crafting and implementing a cohesive online presence for your business. They combine consumer knowledge and digital expertise to create targeted campaigns and strategic advertising, maximizing your reach and engagement.

Think of them as unburdening partners, taking the reins on tasks like social media management and content creation. This allows you to focus on your core business while they orchestrate your digital marketing strategy, ensuring everything works in harmony towards your goals.

In essence, they're highly skilled brand ambassadors in the digital world, connecting with your audience and making your brand shine. They help you tell your story, engage your customers, and stand out from the crowd.

5 skills every digital strategist should have

A digital strategist is a jack of all trades to some extent, but there are some crucial skills they must have to do their job successfully.

1. Technical proficiency

While a digital strategist doesn't need to be an expert in every app or program they need to use, they should:

• Have a basic understanding of graphic design and video editing, so they need to be familiar with the Adobe Suite.
• Be knowledgeable in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Be proficient in content management systems such as WordPress.
• Be savvy with project management software such as Confluence, Jira, or Trello.

2. Social media knowledge

A digital strategist is responsible for creating social media strategies and managing your social media presence. This means creating and uploading social media posts and managing social media accounts. That's why having in-depth knowledge and understanding of social media is crucial.

3. Marketing knowledge

Since digital strategists are essentially digital marketers, intense marketing knowledge is indispensable. Your digital strategist must know how to:

• Research your consumer base and your competitors
• Identify and analyze your performance indicators
• Manage and run marketing campaigns

They use paid advertising platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads to achieve this. By analyzing and interpreting the data from these platforms, a digital strategist can launch, run, and adjust successful campaigns.

4. Analytical thinking

Analytical thinking is a cornerstone skill, essential for anyone juggling complex tasks and navigating various data points. It's especially important for digital marketers, where success hinges on understanding demographics, consumer interests, optimal advertising channels, and more.

These factors aren't just launchpad prerequisites, either. Digital strategists must constantly monitor and analyze campaign performances to pinpoint areas for improvement and maximize ROI. In simpler terms, analytical thinking allows them to optimize marketing efforts and squeeze the most value out of every campaign.

5. Project management skills

Digital strategists typically act as social media managers, in charge of creating and implementing your digital marketing strategy. This means that they can't do without strong project management skills. That way, they ensure:

• The marketing team is working smoothly and cohesively
• Every task is carried out diligently and on time
• Campaigns stay within the budget

What makes a good digital strategist?

In essence, a remarkable digital strategist combines adaptability, clear communication, and creativity to orchestrate a successful online presence for your business.

Adaptability

Adaptability reigns supreme in a digital strategist's toolkit. Their ability to navigate shifting landscapes and overcome hurdles with ease sets them apart. This skill applies to a broad spectrum of tasks, ensuring they can tackle whatever challenges arise.

Communication

Clear and concise communication is another defining mark. They not only manage client relationships effortlessly but also bridge the gap with you through comprehensive communication. This ensures they gather the right information to craft effective strategies and present their ideas in a transparent and understandable way.

Creativity

Creativity fuels the engine of a digital strategist. They strategize engaging written content and guide visual content creation, requiring a dash of artistic vision and imagination. Moreover, the digital world throws unexpected hurdles their way. A creative mind allows them to think on their toes and develop innovative solutions to stay ahead of the curve.

How much does a digital strategist cost?

The cost of hiring a digital strategist depends on their experience, skill set, and the amount of work your project needs. However, according to Comparably, digital strategists in the United States make the following salaries:

• Average - $87,008
• Lowest - $45,000
• Highest - $175,000

The amount you'll pay will vary, of course, but you can use these numbers to roughly guess the cost of investing in a digital strategist.

How to hire the perfect digital strategy expert

Let’s take a look at the most effective ways of finding the perfect digital strategist, so you don’t have to waste time endlessly browsing online.

1. Check out freelancing platforms

There are a few freelancing platforms that can help you find the right digital strategist:

• Upwork: As one of the biggest, it can easily help you connect with various digital marketing freelancers in different fields. Whether you're looking for a social media manager, a graphic designer, or something else entirely, you'll be able to find the right person even if you're on a tight budget.
• Toptal: It's more exclusive than Upwork, so you can find better talent, but you'll probably also have to invest more money. If you're just starting out with your business, it may not be a good option.
• People Per Hour: It's been a useful platform for businesses that require flexibility and need to hire experts on a temporary basis.
• Fiverr: Similar to Upwork, it hosts many freelance digital marketers at different price ranges, so you can find the right freelancer regardless of whether you're just starting out or already have an established business.

2. Search on social media

Since you’re looking for someone to handle your social media, it makes sense to use social networks to find the right person. Simply create an ad that advertises your job opening. Instagram ads managers are extremely good at targeting people, so you’ll likely find someone suitable in no time.

Otherwise, many freelancers on social platforms advertise their services and are actively looking for clients. You might come across someone this way—there’s nothing stopping you from reaching out for more information.

3. Use job boards

You can use more traditional job boards like Browse Indeed, LinkedIn, or even Craigslist. These platforms allow you to contact potential freelancers directly, see what they’re experienced in, and hire them quickly if they’re a good match.

4. Hire with Mayple

The most convenient way to find a freelance digital strategy expert is by working with Mayple. We can connect you to hundreds of digital marketers, freelancers, and agencies who specialize in various niches and can handle all your digital strategy needs.

Get started now and find the perfect digital strategist for your business. Mayple will ensure that you're connected to the most suitable marketer for your business and rid you of the hassle of sifting through freelancers on various freelance platforms.

8 questions to ask your digital strategist before you hire them

Here are some questions you can ask a potential freelance digital strategist during an interview:

1. What education and training in the field do you have?

Being a freelance digital strategist typically requires a degree in marketing, communications, or a related field. However, you should also inquire about other courses and certifications they've done, especially when it comes to Google Ads and Google Analytics.

2. Which software are you familiar with?

As we've already mentioned, your freelance digital strategist must be savvy with many digital tools, so it's important to know if their digital toolbox aligns with your business needs. You can also phrase this question as "What tools do you use in your digital marketing activity?" as an alternative way to determine their toolstack and experience.

3. What salary do you expect?

Budget is a reality for all businesses. Ask the digital strategist about their hourly rates and the salary they're expecting, so you know if they fit your budget or not.

4. Can you give us some examples of campaigns you've executed?

Inquiring about your prospective freelance digital marketer's digital marketing career and achievements is essential. It's about showcasing a proven track record and reassuring you that they're reliable.

5. How could your experience benefit our business?

This could be a good follow-up question to the previous one. You want to look for digital strategists who have clear ideas on how to implement their digital marketing skills to help you achieve your goals.

6. What are your favorite techniques to build loyal customers?

A good digital marketing consultant knows that marketing is about more than just "converting" people into buyers. It's also about happy clients who recommend your products or services to their peers. Ask your digital marketing expert about their approach to loyalizing customers to see how they think and whether they have experience in this area. 

7. Have you ever done any guest post outreach?

While guest post outreach is a digital marketing specialization on its own, it's worth asking your freelancer about it. They might want to help you with it if they have the experience. 

8. How did you start your freelance marketing career? 

While this question may not tell you a lot about your candidate's skills, it can show you where they come from, how they ended up in the marketing landscape, and where they want to go from here. This will help you better understand how passionate they are, and how willing they are to go the extra mile to help you succeed. 

Finding Your Digital Strategist Mastermind

The social media landscape is dynamic, demanding constant adaptation and strategic finesse. While our list of top digital strategy freelancers provides a valuable starting point, remember: the ideal partner goes beyond technical skills and impressive portfolios.

Seek someone who resonates with your brand vision and understands your target audience. Their expertise, coupled with open communication and mutual trust, will unlock the true potential of your social engagement, fostering genuine connections and propelling your brand forward.