How Teams Are Stretching Q4 Budgets

Author

Nali Sutipayakul
September 25, 2025

Use it or lose it. Make the most of Q4 budget.

As Q4 kicks in, many teams find themselves with “use it or lose it” hiring budget left on the table. Used well, it’s a chance to close the year strong and to build momentum heading into 2026.

💡 c/p Tips: Allocate Your Q4 Budget Strategically

For full-time hires:

Pull headcount forward: if you know you’ll need a Growth Marketer or Product Designer in Q1, hire now so they’re onboarded and ready to deliver by kickoff.

Close candidates faster: use extra budget for sign-on bonuses or slight base bumps to win talent in a competitive market.

Protect retention: funnel year-end dollars into retention bonuses or upskilling so your best people stick around.

For contract/freelance hires:

Prioritize Outcomes, Not Headcount: tie every hire to the projects you want shipped before year-end.

Match Role Seniority to Scope: sometimes two mid-levels deliver more impact than one senior. Other times, a fractional leader beats extra headcount.


Get Creative with Hours: not every role requires 40 hrs/week. Part-time specialists or fractional leaders can keep work moving. 


Think Beyond Q4: use leftover budget for contract-to-hire or pilot talent you may convert to full-time in 2026.

Hiring? We’ll connect you with the right talent. 👇

At Creative People, we hear the same question again and again:


“I have $XX,XXX left. What’s the smartest way to allocate it to talent?”

We built a Q4 Budget Calculator, a simple tool to show how far your dollars can go with contractors. Just make a copy, drop your numbers into the yellow boxes, and instantly see scenarios.

👉 Calculate your Q4 Contractor Coverage
 

⭐️ Contractor Spotlight

Below is a curated list of freelance and contract talent available for short-term or project-based work. If you’d like an intro, just hit reply to this email.

📲 Social

Katie Nisbet | Social Strategist | Portfolio
Previously at Netflix, Prime Video, Hilton, Planet Fitness, Lee Jeans

  • Based in Boston, with 15+ years of experience in leading brand narrative, multi-platform storytelling, and campaign rollouts

  • At MullenLowe (KFC), rose to Associate Director of Social, overseeing global strategy, editorial calendars, influencer programs, and real-time activations

  • All-inclusive rate $120/hr, available immediately

🎨 Product Design

Adam Brooks | D2C Growth Designer | Portfolio PW:Portfoli024
Previously at Curology, hundred, Quip

  • Based in NYC, with 12+ years of experience with D2C products, mobile apps, and growth design

  • At Curology, led end-to-end mobile product design, driving growth and retention. Adam has contracted with Creative People before with strong client feedback and multiple extensions.

  • All-inclusive rate depends on project scope & duration, available immediately

Peter Uzzi | Principal Product Designer | Portfolio PW:hellopeter!
Previously at Clover, InVision, TheoremOne, Invoca, Transunion

  • Based in San Jose, California, with 15+ years of experience in frontend development and hands-on UI implementation

  • Led end-to-end design at Clover, designing a consumer marketplace, merchant, and consumer FinTech tools

  • All-inclusive rate depends on project scope & duration, available immediately

✍️ Copy

JJ McLaughlin | Sr. Lead Copywriter | Portfolio PW: Joseph19
Previously at Paypal (Venmo), GoodRx, Credit Karma, eHarmony

  • Based in LA, with agency and in-house experience in brand voice and tone development, content strategy, Ux writing, content design, and cross-channel campaign copy (OOOH, digital, social, email)

  • Led GoodRx brand voice refresh and built full brand guide under tight timelines, partnering with product, UX, and external agency

  • All-inclusive rate $125/hr, available immediately

📣 Creative Ops / Production

Ella Franklin | Sr. Creative Producer
Previously at Nike, Youtube, Airbnb

  • Based in Portland, with a 15-year track record of leading high-stakes, global campaigns and managing multi-million dollar productions

  • All-inclusive rate $115/hr, available immediately

💡 Creative

Kavya Sivaraman | Sr. Brand Designer | Portfolio | Case Studies
Previously at Zipline, Dropbox, The New York Times

  • Based in SF with in-house experience with brand guidelines, presentation design, cross-channel campaign execution (web, social, email)

  • Led Wirecutter’s rebrand implementation, developed comprehensive guidelines, tested assets across channels, and partnered with social/product

  • All-inclusive rate $135/hr, available immediately

If any of these stand out, just reply! We’re happy to set up an intro or send over more info. 😊

If you’re looking to hire for your team or have any feedback, reach out to us at [email protected].