Running a business comes with one undeniable truth: you can’t do it all alone. At some point, you’re going to need help. But here’s the kicker — knowing what kind of help you need can feel like a whole new job in itself.
Do you hire a freelancer to knock out a project? Do you bring on a VA to handle the admin? Or do you need a fractional leader to help steer the ship and keep it moving forward?
If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s the difference, and which one is right for me?” — this one’s for you.
By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly when freelance support makes sense, when it’s time to bring in fractional leadership, and how the two can actually work together to help you scale with strategy.
What is Freelance Support?
Freelancers are the doers. They’re the people you hire on a project basis to handle specific tasks or deliverables.
Think:
The pros: freelancers are flexible, budget-friendly, and bring specialized expertise when you need it.
The cons: most freelancers aren’t thinking about your big-picture growth. They’re focused on completing the tasks you give them — which means you’re still the one carrying the strategy, the management, and the responsibility of tying it all together.
What is Fractional Support?
Fractional leaders are not task-doers — they’re strategy-drivers. A fractional executive (COO, CXO, CFO, CMO, etc.) steps into your business part-time, but brings senior-level leadership without the full-time salary price tag.
Here’s how it looks in action:
The pros: long-term vision, leadership, accountability, and big-picture strategy.
The cons: higher investment and readiness required — you need to be in a place where you can implement and act on their guidance.
When Freelance Makes Sense
Freelance support is the perfect move when:
It’s about getting quick, flexible help with the doing.
When Fractional Makes Sense
Fractional support is your next step when:
Fractional support isn’t about adding more hands — it’s about adding a brain and a voice at the leadership table.
Do You Need Both?
Absolutely. Freelancers and fractional leaders aren’t an either/or — they’re a both/and.
Think of it like this:
Together, it’s a powerhouse team. Without strategy, freelancers are just spinning their wheels. Without doers, strategy never leaves the whiteboard.
There’s no “wrong” choice here — just different stages of business growth. Freelancers help you get work done. Fractional leaders help you build a business that runs like a business.
If you’re scaling and feeling the weight of holding it all together, it might be time to think beyond tasks and step into strategy.
👉🏽 Explore how EBS supports CEOs with fractional CXO leadership and project-based solutions.
Book a strategy session to talk through your next move.
Because at the end of the day, your business deserves more than patchwork support — it deserves leadership.
