Marketing consultants are professionals who help businesses create and execute marketing plans.

For small businesses that may not have an in-house marketing team, marketing consultants can be an invaluable resource for helping to create and implement a marketing strategy. This will allow you to focus on running your business, while they handle the marketing.

Small business marketing consultants typically have a lot of experience in marketing, and they can use this experience to help business owners achieve their marketing goals.

There are many different types of marketing consultants, and they can specialize in a variety of areas. Some common specialities include brand management, digital marketing, and advertising.

If you’re a small business owner looking for help with your marketing, seeking external support may be the right option for you.

What does a marketing consultant do?

They can help in developing a branding strategy, creating targeted advertising campaigns, or helping with other aspects of marketing. They can help with:

• Developing marketing strategies
• Social media marketing
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Email marketing
• Online advertising
• Traditional advertising
• Event management
• Website design and maintenance
• Public relations
• Researching the competition
• Monitoring industry trends

What are the benefits of using a small business marketing consultant?

Working with a small business marketing consultant means that you can focus on what you do best – running your business. They can help take the burden of marketing off your shoulders, which can be a huge relief.

Another benefit is that they can provide an outside perspective. This can be really helpful, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience in marketing. They can help you to understand your customers better and figure out what kind of marketing will work best for your business.

Finally, marketing consulting can save you time and money. They can help you to avoid making common mistakes that can cost you a lot of money. And, they can help you to get your marketing campaigns up and running quickly and efficiently.

There can be many benefits, including:

• Defined marketing strategies
• Increased brand awareness
• Improved website traffic
• Increased leads and sales
• Enhanced visibility and engagement on social media
• Greater marketing effectiveness

Small business marketing success can be difficult to achieve on your own, but with the help of a marketing consultant, you can reach your goals and grow your business. They can help you create and execute a successful marketing plan that will help your business grow.

How do I find a good marketing consultant?

You should consider things like their experience, the services they offer, and their fees. You can also ask for referrals from friends or business associates.

There are many types of marketing qualifications, including University degrees, various qualifications from organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), as well as those offered by companies such as Google, Facebook and Hubspot.

What to look for in a small business marketing consultancy

When choosing a small business marketing consultant, you’ll want to consider their experience, marketing consulting services, education, fees, and how well they fit with your organisation.

When it comes to organisational fit, you’ll want to consider things like the consultant’s personality, communication style, and whether they share your values.

You’ll also want to make sure that the marketing consultant has experience in the specific areas in which you need help, such as social media marketing, SEO, or online advertising.

Ask the consultant for references from past clients, and do some online research to see what others have said about the consultant’s work.

What is the average cost of a marketing consultancy?

The cost of a marketing consultant can vary depending on the services they offer, their experience, and the size of your business. Some consultants charge by the hour, while others may charge a flat fee for their services.

It’s important to get an estimate from the marketing consultant before committing to any services.

When getting an estimate, be sure to ask about any additional fees, such as for travel or expenses. Many consultants will provide their own software, which may offer you additional benefits.

Is working with a marketing consultancy worth it?

Whether or not hiring a consultant is worth it depends on your business and its specific needs.

If you need help developing a marketing strategy, implementing a social media campaign, or increasing website traffic, a marketing consultant can be a valuable asset. There are several phases when businesses commonly seek outside help with their marketing:

When starting a business: Many businesses hire a marketing professional when they’re first starting out to help them get off on the right foot.

During periods of growth: If your business is growing quickly, you may need help keeping up with the demand. This is especially true for businesses that are expanding into new markets.

When facing a decline: If sales are down, you may need to reevaluate your marketing strategy. A marketing expert can help you determine where you’re going wrong and how to turn things around.

During acquisition: When a business is being acquired, the new owners will often bring in a marketing advisor to help with the transition.

When launching a new product or service: If you’re introducing a new product or service, you’ll want to make sure you have a comprehensive marketing plan in place. A marketing consultant can help you develop this plan and put it into action.

So, whether you’re a small business just starting out or you’ve been around for a while, hiring a marketing consultant can be a great way to improve your marketing efforts and achieve better results.

Is digital marketing right for a small business?

Digital marketing is a great way for small businesses to reach more customers and take their business forward. With digital marketing, businesses can target their advertising efforts specifically to people who are interested in what they have to offer.

Digital marketing can be very effective for small businesses, but it’s important to make sure you’re using the right strategies and tools for your business. You’ll also want to consider the cost of digital marketing before getting started.

Some common digital marketing tactics include:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): This involves optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results pages.
• Social Media Marketing: This involves creating and sharing content on social media networks to attract and engage with potential customers.
• Content Marketing: This involves creating and sharing original, relevant, and valuable content to attract and retain customers.
• Online Advertising: This involves placing ads on websites and in digital media to reach potential customers.

Digital marketing is affordable and effective, making it a great option for small businesses. If you’re not sure where to start, a digital marketing consultant can help you develop a comprehensive digital marketing plan.

Do small businesses need a marketing plan?

While some small businesses may be able to get by without a formal marketing plan, most will benefit from the process of creating one. A marketing plan can help you define your target market, set goals and objectives, and track your progress over time.

When it comes to marketing, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every business is different, and what works for one may not work for another. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available to help you. A marketing consultant can help you develop a plan that’s tailored to your specific business and its needs.

Can I DIY my small business marketing strategy?

Getting started with a marketing strategy is a complex process, and there’s a lot to learn. However, with the right resources and guidance, you can do it yourself.

For small business owners, getting a handle on your marketing activities, and more specifically, your marketing budget can be a daunting task. From building out a sales funnel to managing email marketing nurture campaigns, to understanding what’s working using analytical tools, there’s a lot to learn.

And if you don’t have a background in marketing, or if you’re short on time, it can be difficult to know where to start. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can DIY your marketing with the help of free online resources. However, if you need assistance developing a comprehensive marketing strategy, hiring a marketing consultant can be a great way to get started.

The most important thing is to have a clear goal and plan of action. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of online resources available to help your small business, including articles, tutorials, and courses.

Useful resources for small business marketing include:

• Hubspot Inbound Marketing Resources
• SmallBusiness.co.uk – The essential guide to small business marketing
• Marketing Donut
• Google Digital Garage

Take back control

I’ll be launching an online hybrid marketing course soon that will give small business owners the ability to learn marketing basics, including how to develop and execute a marketing plan, how to use analytical tools to understand what’s working, and how to create and manage email marketing campaigns. The course will include video modules, downloadable templates, and one-on-one support from me.

If you’re interested in learning more, sign up for my mailing list below and I’ll let you know when the course is live!