So you have finally launched your business. You are getting into a good rhythm with managing the daily needs of your business and have possibly even expanded your team by hiring some staff. You have successfully gained some customers/clients but now you sense things are starting to slow down and you don't see much return on investment from the various marketing tactics you have tried but you don't know why. If this sounds like you then you are in the right place and I have just the solution for you.
You need a marketing consultant!
Let's begin by looking at what a marketing consultant is. A marketing consultant is a business professional that has obtained either a college degree in a marketing-related field or has successfully earned a marketing certificate from a marketing institute. Online courses have proven to be a very reliable and useful way to obtain the education necessary and are a totally acceptable method of gaining marketing knowledge and wisdom. Consultants are often times self-employed and work on a contract basis or they work for a consulting practice alongside other marketing experts. They are brought on by an organization to help improve a company’s marketing. They create and implement marketing strategies. These strategies tend to be centered on customers by focusing on the services and products the company offers.
Secondly, let's take a look at what it is a marketing consultant does, and then we will get into why you really need one on your team.
A consultant helps create a detailed marketing plan, determines the marketing message, and identifies the appropriate marketing mix. They are also responsible for implementing the marketing plan, monitoring results as well as adjusting where needed.
The role that a marketing consultant plays varies greatly depending on the company and the projects they have. Each company has its own unique business goals to reach and challenges to face. The consultant's role will be to first identify what the goals are and where challenges exist. Then they will research, strategize, and implement tactics designed to achieve business goals.
How hands-on the marketing consultant is will vary. Some consultants are just advisers that help business owners understand what to do and how to do it. Some consultants will not only advise but implement tactics in order to achieve goals. It is good to be clear when hiring a marketing consultant how hands-on they will be.
There are several reasons to hire a marketing consultant and today we wanted to highlight the top 5 reasons business owners make the decision to hire a consultant.
When hiring a marketing consultant, decide what your marketing goals are. Then you can pinpoint someone who has experience and skills in that area. During your discovery call with the consultant, ask them about their experience, see if they have worked with organizations similar to yours. Bringing in a consultant with experience directly in your industry is not a must, though it can help. You also want to ensure that you like this person. You will be working closely with your marketing consultant on a regular basis, so it is very helpful for that person to be someone you like to engage with and work well with.
If you like what you read here and want to take the next step towards adding a marketing consultant to your team we would be happy to talk with you. Our Certified Digital Marketing Professional would be happy to meet with you, to learn about your business and to get started with improving your marketing efforts today. Schedule a Free Consultation now to get started.