What does a creative strategist do?

A creative strategist is a person who is responsible for developing creative strategies and campaigns, as well as overseeing the execution of those strategies and campaigns. They are typically involved in brainstorming ideas, researching trends, analyzing data, and ensuring that the final product meets the goals set out by their client or employer.

Creative strategists also assist with developing brand identities. This means they work to create a consistent, unique look and feel that is reflective of the brand's core values and messaging. They are also responsible for creating content strategies and overseeing digital marketing efforts.

In addition to their creative duties, creative strategists often liaise between clients or employers and other departments such as IT, Human Resources, Accounting, and Legal. They are responsible for ensuring that all parties understand the project requirements, deadlines, and other pertinent information to ensure everything runs smoothly.

How much do freelance creative strategists cost?

The cost of hiring a freelance creative strategist varies, depending on their experience, expertise, track record, industry, and location. Generally speaking, a freelance creative strategist's costs range from $750 to $1,500 per day, but the prices can be higher or lower than that, depending on your specific expectations.

When should you hire a creative strategy expert?

Hiring a creative strategy expert or creative director gives you a competitive advantage by allowing you to stand out from the crowd with a brand identity that attracts your target audience, converts them, and keeps them close. In a world driven by AI sameness, hiring a creative strategy expert can help your company rise above the ocean of competitors and stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

What skills should you look for in a creative strategist?

If you want to hire a creative strategist who delivers actual results, look for the following skills:

Experience working in creative environments

The best creative strategists have enough experience in creative jobs to be able to take a step back and see the bigger picture. They understand how to create an effective campaign and know which tactics work best for various business goals.

Thinking outside the box

Your creative strategist should be... creative. Although they may not be hands-on when it comes to creating designs or copy, they need to think outside the box to come up with innovative strategies that create meaningful experiences and set your business apart in terms of brand, tone of voice, appeal, and how you choose to deliver your messages to your target audience.

Project management

A good creative strategist should be able to plan, organize, and manage projects from start to finish. This includes organizing tasks, deadlines, budgets, resources, and knowing how to prioritize ideas.

Leadership skills

Your creative strategy expert should know how to drive your projects and your creatives. This means they should be able to act as an effective leader who understands how to motivate team members, coordinate tasks, and ensure that their projects are completed on time.

Communication and collaboration

Good communication and collaboration skills are essential for a successful creative strategist. They should be able to work with creative team members, clients, and stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands their role in the project.

Analytical and problem-solving skills

A good creative strategy specialist knows how to combine creativity and analytical thinking to solve problems and create compelling marketing campaigns. They should be able to identify customer needs, analyze data, come up with innovative solutions, and adjust their strategy as needed.

Creative writing and storytelling

An effective creative strategist should be able to write catchy copy and create stories that capture the attention of your target audience. They should know how to communicate your message in a way that resonates with customers and drives action and how to use content creation to drive attention, conversions, and loyalty among potential and existing customers. 

Graphic design knowledge

Your creative strategist should have some graphic design knowledge to create visually appealing and on-brand campaigns. This includes a deep understanding color theory, typography, imagery, and how to combine these elements for maximum impact.

Technology savvy

Technology constantly evolves, and a creative strategist should stay current with the latest trends. They should be comfortable working with various software programs, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, business intelligence tools, and social media analytics tools.

Digital marketing know-how

Your creative strategist should understand all aspects of digital marketing, such as SEO, PPC, advertising, email marketing, social media, creative content marketing, and more. They should also be able to use data to measure creative campaign performance and adjust their strategy accordingly.

How to hire the perfect creative strategy manager

There are many ways to hire a good creative manager. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Use job boards

Job boards like Indeed or Monster are a great place to start when looking for creative strategy specialists. You can post your job openings, collect applications, sift through them, and then go through the usual interviewing and testing process to find the ideal candidate.

Hire on freelance platforms

If you want to source creative specialists for a short-term project, freelance platforms like Upwork are an excellent option. You can search through profiles or post a job opening, then review portfolios and check out previous customer reviews to find the right match for your project.

Ask for referrals

Sometimes the best way to find a great creative strategist is to ask for referrals from your network. Ask colleagues, friends, and family if they know anyone who has vast experience in the field and reach out to them if you think they’re a good fit.

Hire with Mayple

Finally, you can always choose to hire a creative strategist through Mayple. Our platform connects companies with talented freelancers with the skills and experience to do the job. All you need to do is contact us and we'll match you with a vetted creative strategy expert in your industry, all in a matter of days.