As entrepreneurs, we are used to wearing many hats, ready to take on any task that needs doing. Yet, what if we were to tell you that, sometimes, knowing when to delegate is the best action a leader can take? As much as we try, we can’t be experts in everything, and to move our business forward, we might need to bring in an outside consultant. So, let’s talk marketing. What is a marketing consultant? And, why should we hire one? There are many reasons, but oddly enough, people often miss the most beneficial part of bringing in an expert marketer.
I’m sure you’ve Googled “marketing consultant” or come across the term in your research. Many of these can offer a wide range of services, from those who provide audits, to help you identify weaknesses in your strategy or operations, to those who actively manage “hands on” marketing campaigns. But what is a marketing consultant, exactly?
What is a Marketing Consultant? Your Marketing Mentor!
Basically, a marketing consultant is an experienced professional whose sole focus is to help you “sell” your brand, and your products or services.
They will work on whatever goals you identify, whether that’s growing a business, getting more sales leads, or increased brand awareness. They will do this by providing analyses, recommendations, and expert opinions, based on their experience with other businesses or in your respective industry. Some will help you plan and even execute marketing strategies.
How They Can Help Transform Your Business
Consultants can help in a variety of ways. They can identify opportunities for unique promotions. Help you increase sales. They can even introduce you to new tools and ways to improve your business processes. They also share in-depth knowledge that you may not have about branding, ecommerce and content marketing.
They are experts in business transformation. They can use their knowledge-based skills to guide your business decisions and can help you to focus on activities that maximize your valuable time and resources.
Moreover, they can recognize potential, and often see the possibilities of a brand in a way that business owners might not, because they are too close to the subject matter, or too involved in day-to-day operations to take time out to strategize. Who wants to lose a whole day to brainstorming ideas? But that’s where delegation comes in…
Some ways a marketing consultant can assist entrepreneurs:
- Help them to adapt to changes in the marketplace
- Craft a strategic marketing plan
- Provide design guidance
- Increase search traffic to websites
- Help solve a particular business problem
- Recommend the best content marketing for a business
- Assist with lead generation /sales
- Advise on which tools/systems will help elevate an online presence
What to Look for: The Secret’s in the Strategy
So, you’re probably thinking, what is a marketing consultant going to do for me? How do I even know if I need one?
If you think only governments or public agencies employ outside consultants, you would be wrong. According to Statistics Canada, business clients represent 66% of all consulting clients. But then, you probably think, well, only big businesses can afford them. We get it. As a small business or start-up, you may be dealing with smaller budgets.
Here’s the thing. Not only are marketing consultants great problem solvers – ask about a problem, and it’s their job to find solutions. But this is the secret that no one really talks about: consultants actually save you money in the long-run, by helping you to make strategic decisions about where you use your limited marketing budget.
The way to tell if a marketing consultant will truly move your business forward is to look for one who can fill in the gaps in your own skill set with in-depth knowledge that you likely don’t have. At Original Ginger, we can assist you with consultations in specialized areas like branding strategy, website design, or content marketing.
Why Do-It-Yourself Isn’t Always the Smartest Decision
You’ve also heard the saying, “Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.” That’s why you will never reap the same benefits by reading “how-to” articles or asking a few questions at a webinar. Often, what you get is generic advice that might not apply. When you’re consulting a marketing professional, their time is at your disposal, and you get the chance to ask targeted questions specific to your business goals.
Once you gain a better understanding of the marketing strategies that will work for your business, then you can implement them yourself with better success. A consultant will also keep you accountable, so you follow through with the plan you developed together.
By working with a professional, you will benefit from their wisdom, and maybe even avoid common mistakes. Plus, there’s bound to be many valuable “aha” moments that might not have happened without expert guidance.
Interested in Our Business Transformation Consulting? Here’s How It Works…
Original Ginger offers one-hour consultations that can be purchased in packages of 3, 6 or 10 sessions, and you must use your time within one year of booking. We schedule meetings during our standard business hours when it is convenient for you. How we use this time will depend on what you’re trying to accomplish, or your questions. This can be discussed in advance, so that we are fully prepared and use your time wisely.
We use video conferencing for consultations, which allows us to help anyone located in the US or Canada. All you need is wi-fi and a computer/laptop with video and audio capability, so we can share our desktop, to give you examples and ideas. Sessions can be booked anytime between 9am and 4:30pm PST on weekdays, Monday through Thursday.
Interested in booking a consultation? We’d love to meet you and learn more about your business challenges. Contact us today.
