What are Marketing Consultants and How Can They Help My Business?
Most people think they have an idea about what a marketing consultant is or what a marketing consultant does but they don't understand what they can really achieve.
Hiring marketing consultants to support the growth of your business can be a challenging task. With thousands of marketing agencies and freelancers to choose from, making the right decision for your business can be overwhelming and time-consuming.
Top tips on how to hire a marketing consultant
1. Define your marketing goals
Before you begin looking for a marketing consultant, it's important to have a clear understanding of what you plan to achieve through your marketing efforts.
Defining marketing goals is the first step in creating a successful marketing strategy. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Some examples of marketing goals could include increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, generating leads, or boosting sales.
It is important to align these goals with the overall goals of the company and to have a clear understanding of your target audience and their needs. Engaging an experienced marketing strategist can help you develop a successful strategy.
2. Find marketing consultants to implement your strategy
Finding the right marketing consultants to implement your strategy is crucial for achieving your marketing goals.
Working with marketing agencies can provide you with the marketing support you need but if you are looking for a more in-house approach to your marketing without the expense of hiring a full time employee, a marketing consultant or freelancer might be a better option for you.
Before you engage with marketing consultants or freelance marketers it is best to decide what kind of marketing consulting services you require. Marketing consultants and freelancers can have marketing experience in SEO (search engine optimisation), digital marketing, marketing automation, content creation, or social media marketing. Additionally, it is important to meet with the consultant in person or over video call to discuss their approach, their experience, and how they plan to work with your team.
To help save some time with the research and interviewing process, try searching for marketing labour hire companies that will have consultants and freelancers readily available to meet your business objectives.
3. Consider the cost
Marketing services can vary greatly in cost. It's important to consider the cost of different options and choose the one that fits within your budget.
If you are a business owner of a small business you may think hiring someone directly on a junior wage is more cost-effective, however, in the long run having to train and hope they are the right fit it may not be, where as hiring a experienced marketing consultant you will see value from the outset.
When considering the cost of hiring a marketing consultant, keep in mind that investing in an experienced marketing consultant will save you time and help you to achieve your business goals.
The cost of hiring a consultant will vary depending on the scope of the project, the experience of the consultant, and the location of the consultant. Some consultants charge an hourly rate while others will charge by the day or even as a flat fee for the entire project. It is important to get a clear understanding of the costs upfront and how they will be billed.
Additionally, it's important to consider the potential return on investment (ROI) of the consulting services, and how it will impact your bottom line. A good marketing consultant will be able to listen to your business needs, implement an effective marketing strategy, and suggest new marketing tactics that will help support your business’ growth.
4. Contracting a marketing consultant
Once you've decided to hire an experienced marketing consultant, it is important to create a formal contract. The contract will ensure that both parties have a clear understanding of the scope of work, the deliverables, and the expectations.
Contracts can be expensive and time-consuming to create so finding a consultant or company that has its own contracts in place can save time and money. If you decide to use a consultant or company’s contract, be sure to do your due diligence and make sure you agree with the scope of work, deliverables, cost, and terms and conditions.
If you decide to create your own contract, the below elements should be considered:
- A detailed description of the consulting services to be provided, including the specific tasks and objectives of the project. For example email marketing, graphic design, copywriting, social media management, or SEO.
- The timelines for the project, short term or long term, start and end dates, if the role is full time or part time, and any milestones or deadlines that need to be met.
- The cost and payment terms, including the fee structure, invoicing schedule, and any expenses that will be covered by the client or consultant.
- The responsibilities and expectations of both parties, including communication protocols, key metrics, and decision-making processes.
- Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements to protect any proprietary information being shared during the consulting period.
- The termination clause should include the conditions under which the contract can be terminated and any penalties for early termination.
It is important to ensure you organise for a legal professional to review the contract before signing.
Once both parties sign the contract, you can now commence work.
Having a well-written contract in place helps to prevent misunderstandings and disputes, and ensures that the project stays on track.
6. Engaging with and onboarding your marketing consultant
Once you have hired a marketing professional, it's important to establish a clear line of communication and set goals with them.
Creating an onboarding document can help to communicate your expectations, outline the key business directors and personnel the marketing consultant should report to and any marketing platforms or systems already being used within your business.
Regular check-ins and performance evaluations will help you ensure that you are both on the same page. Also, keep in mind that marketing strategies often take time to see results, so be patient and give your marketing professional time to implement and adjust their tactics.
Hiring a marketing consultant or agency can be a great way to take your business to the next level. By following these tips, you can ensure that you find the right professional or agency for your needs, and that you're able to achieve your marketing goals.
A good marketing consultant or agency will take the time to understand your business, your target market, and your unique needs. They should also be able to provide a customised marketing plan that is tailored to your specific business.
Conclusion
In summary, hiring someone to help with marketing can be a great way to take your business to the next level, but it's important you know how to hire a marketing consultant properly.
Some steps to remember in this process are to understand what your business goals and objectives are, develop a marketing strategy that will convert and communicate clearly.
If you need help onboarding a marketing consultant or finding one to suit your business, we can help. Contact us and let us know everything we need to know about your business goals and objectives so we can find a marketing consultant suited to you and your business.
