More than half of companies employ creative freelancers, according to a survey released today by The Creative Group, a division of Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI). And 39% say the caliber of freelance creative talent is rising.

“While freelancing is not a new concept in the creative industry, it’s becoming a more attractive career option for professionals with in-demand skills like digital marketing, web and user experience design, and content creation,” said Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group. “As hiring remains competitive, companies increasingly turn to highly skilled freelancers to fill gaps on their teams.”

More than half of the survey’s respondents, 58%, reported that their company employs project professionals. Among these organizations, about 14% of staff work on a freelance basis.

The research found small agencies, those with 20 to 49 employees, rely most heavily on project professionals; 23% of their employees, on average, are freelancers. In comparison, about 8% of staff at companies with 1,000-plus employees are project professionals.

Advertising and marketing executives were also asked about their greatest challenge when working with creative freelancers. Making them feel like part of the team was the top response at 25%, followed by negotiating pay rates at 22%. Finding skilled freelancers and communicating or collaborating effectively with them tied for the third most-pressing concern, both at 19%.

“Freelancers can play a vital role on any team, but their success depends, in part, on a solid onboarding process,” Domeyer said. “Employers should introduce them to their new colleagues on day one, include them in staff meetings and check in regularly. The more comfortable and welcomed freelancers feel, the more likely they’ll perform at their best and be happy in the role.”

The survey was developed by The Creative Group and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 400 advertising and marketing executives in the US.