hire a marketing consultant

Typically an agency is a company that has lots of staff managing hundreds of different clients at any one time. A marketing consultant will handle a few clients at a time providing a more personal service that is customised to your business. 

Hiring a marketing consultant in most cases will be cheaper than using an agency because the way the businesses operate are different. An agency has to pay managers, account managers and workers, so there are many layers of add-on costs to cover which are charged to you.

A marketing consultant may not have all the same resources available where they operate from compared to an agency, but most digital marketing requires strategy, written content and execution. Things like graphic design, logo creation, photography can easily be outsourced if and when needed.

Outsourcing your marketing makes a lot of sense for a small or medium business. Instead of getting an existing staff member to try and do marketing you can hire a digital marketing consultant who is very experienced. 

By choosing to outsource your marketing you get access to people who are experts in their field rather than trying to do it yourself when your time & skills may not be sufficient. Digital marketing, especially things like SEO should be done by a professional who has the right skills and knowledge to get it done properly.

You only have to look at the aged care case study to see how easy it is for inexperienced staff members to make errors that lead to a website crashing, loss of keyword rankings and more.

A digital marketing consultant can help a small, medium or large business in any industry sector. The benefit of hiring an external consultant is their unbias view that is applied to solve any marketing challenges for the business. This is equally applied to a product or service based company.

Consumers use online search every minute of the day, people don’t buy newspapers or read promotional flyers in the mail box either. They search using Google and try and find a local small business to satisfy their requirement. This is why the right digital marketing strategy & execution is so important for small business owners in Australia. 

You literally can’t get found online without having something in place.

Digital marketing consultants charge between $20 an hour to over $500 an hour. This sounds like a crazy variation in pricing for the cost of a consultant, but it is all relative to their experience & where you hire them from.

It is like any skilled trade, there will be lots of individuals who say they are a consultant or an expert in their field and can provide a service, but many of them may not really have the expertise required or be as good as others who have a more solid track record.

Therefore you can find digital marketing consultants on sites like Freelancer, Fiverr or similar where the costs seem really low & quite reasonable. Although you will also find lots of horror stories of extra charges being made later, poor work being done or the person not really even speaking English.

It pays to do your research when trying to work out the differences for what a consultant might charge, not all of their inclusions may be the same & there is no point hiring someone that offers a cheap labour rate if they have no experience. You will simply miss out on achieving the results you had hoped for.

I have seen first hand business owners choosing another marketing consultant who then makes changes to their digital marketing strategies and gets results that are worse than what they had before.

The cost of hiring a digital marketer will depend on the type of situation you are trying to set up.

For example;

Contractor;
a digital marketer that is available as a contractor or freelancer might charge between $20 an hour to over $500 an hour. This sounds like a crazy variation in pricing for the cost of a marketer , but it is all relative to their experience & where you hire them from.

It is like any skilled trade, there will be lots of individuals who say they are a consultant or an expert in their field and can provide a service, but many of them may not really have the expertise required or be as good as others who have a more solid track record.

Therefore you can find digital marketing consultants on sites like Freelancer, Fiverr or similar where the costs seem really low & quite reasonable. Although you will also find lots of horror stories of extra charges being made later, poor work being done or the person not really even speaking English.

It pays to do your research when trying to work out the differences for what a consultant might charge, not all of their inclusions may be the same & there is no point hiring someone that offers a cheap labour rate if they have no experience. You will simply miss out on achieving the results you had hoped for.

I have seen first hand business owners choosing another marketing consultant who then makes changes to their digital marketing strategies and gets results that are worse than what they had before.

Full time staff;
If you are trying to hire a digital marketer to be a staff member on your team then the costs in Australia will vary between $50,000 and $150,000 depending on the size of the business & experience required. For most small business owners you might hire a digital marketing assistant to begin with which may cost between $40,000 and $50,000 per year. Although, you have to have a very clear idea if they are able to generate that amount in incremental sales to be worth hiring them. 

This is why it can be beneficial to hire a consultant on a short term basis to fix your marketing problems.

Content marketing must be part of a marketing strategy for small business owners in Australia. If you do not want to keep spending money on paid advertising, don’t have the time or energy to create unique social media content & don’t have any other awareness generation activities in place then creating unique content on your website can help you get found for the things you do and the problems you solve.

Any product or service solves problems that consumers will be searching for online whether that is to fix something, improve something or achieve something. The list goes on and people want information about it. 

Therefore if all you have on your website is “we are experienced”, “we have great reviews”, “our team is the best” and there is no other content then you will never get found by new customers. You are presenting the same information as hundreds of other businesses.

While many business owners may believe that they can handle their own marketing strategies, it is important to understand that hiring a marketing consultant can deliver amazing results and take your business to the next level. In this article, I will explain why hiring a marketing consultant can be beneficial and what things they can do to help a business grow.

Why Hire a Marketing Consultant?

A marketing consultant is an expert in the field of marketing and can provide valuable insights and guidance to a business owner. They are knowledgeable about current trends, industry best practices, and have experience in developing successful marketing strategies. Here are a few reasons why hiring a marketing consultant can be beneficial for your business:

Expertise – Marketing consultants have specialized expertise and knowledge in marketing. They are up-to-date with the latest marketing trends, strategies, and technologies, which can help your business stay competitive.

Objectivity – As an owner of a business, it can be challenging to remain objective about your marketing strategies. A marketing consultant provides an outside perspective, which can help you identify blind spots in your marketing efforts.

Cost-effective – Hiring a marketing consultant can be a cost-effective solution compared to hiring a full-time marketing team. A consultant can help you save money by identifying and implementing the most effective marketing strategies for your business.

Time-saving – As a business owner, your time is valuable. A marketing consultant can help you save time by managing your marketing campaigns and providing you with regular updates.

How Can a Marketing Consultant Help Your Business Grow?

A marketing consultant can help your business grow in many ways. Here are a few things that they can do to help:

Develop a Marketing Strategy – A marketing consultant can help you develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals. They can help you identify your target audience, determine your unique selling proposition, and develop a plan to reach your ideal customers.

Improve Brand Awareness – A marketing consultant can help you increase your brand awareness by creating a consistent brand message across all marketing channels. They can help you create a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience.

Increase Customer Acquisition – A marketing consultant can help you acquire new customers by developing effective lead generation strategies. They can help you create and implement campaigns that target your ideal customer and generate leads.

Improve Customer Retention – A marketing consultant can help you retain your existing customers by developing effective customer retention strategies. They can help you create and implement campaigns that engage and delight your customers, increasing customer loyalty.

Monitor Marketing Performance – A marketing consultant can help you monitor the performance of your marketing campaigns. They can track metrics such as website traffic, lead generation, and customer engagement. Based on the data, they can make adjustments to your marketing strategy to ensure that it is as effective as possible.

Hiring a marketing consultant is often a better option than employing a full-time staff member, especially if the staff member is inexperienced. Here are five reasons why:

1. Expertise and Experience: Marketing consultants are experts in their field, with years of experience in creating and implementing successful marketing campaigns for different industries. They are knowledgeable about the latest marketing trends and best practices, and can provide valuable insights that inexperienced staff members may not have.

2. Cost-Effective: Hiring a full-time staff member can be expensive, especially when you factor in salaries, benefits, and other overhead costs. Marketing consultants, on the other hand, can work on a project basis or hourly rate, which is often more cost-effective in the long run.

3. Flexibility: Marketing consultants offer more flexibility than full-time staff members. They can be hired for short-term or long-term projects, and can be brought on as needed. This means that you can adjust your marketing efforts based on your business needs and goals, without being tied to a full-time employee.

4. Objective Perspective: Marketing consultants bring an objective perspective to your marketing strategy. They are not emotionally invested in your business and can provide unbiased feedback on your marketing efforts. This can help you identify blind spots and improve your strategy for better results.

5. Access to Resources: Marketing consultants often have access to a range of resources, including tools, technology, and industry contacts. This can help you implement more effective marketing strategies and stay ahead of the competition.

Marketing consultants will either charge a monthly retainer fee that includes specific tasks or time allocated to your project or they will provide a quotation based on the tasks that have to be completed. 

Some will work off a cost per hour basis & others will provide an overall cost to complete the marketing tasks you need done. 

Either way it can be a flexible situation so that you can manage your costs accordingly by turning into a fixed cost of some type that is paid for either weekly, monthly or quarterly.

What is more important to consider is that with in put from a marketing consultant you may quickly see results through increased customer visibility & sales. Any investment can be quickly recovered through increased sales. Even more important is to think about the long term benefits it can give your business long after the consultant has completed their work.

The right time to hire a marketing consultant is when you and your staff are ready to receive external inputs that will improve your business. Sounds weird, but really there is no ‘right time’ of the year, month or day to hire a marketing consultant. What is more important is that mentally, emotionally & financially you are ready to accept someone providing feedback, help & assistance to help grow your business.

Not everyone will be ready for this & if you are not, then best to wait. Although just remember, the longer you delay hiring a marketing consultant, the longer you remain stuck in your current situation.

The best time to hire a marketing consultant depends on the needs and goals of your business. Generally, there are a few key times when hiring a marketing consultant can be especially beneficial:

1. When starting a new business: If you are starting a new business, it’s important to develop a strong marketing strategy from the outset. A marketing consultant can help you identify your target audience, create a brand identity, and develop a comprehensive marketing plan that will help you launch your business successfully.

2. When introducing a new product or service: Introducing a new product or service can be challenging, especially if you are trying to break into a crowded market. A marketing consultant can help you develop a marketing campaign that will effectively communicate the unique value of your product or service and help you stand out from the competition.

3. When rebranding: If you are rebranding your business, it’s important to ensure that your new brand identity is consistent across all marketing channels. A marketing consultant can help you develop a rebranding strategy that will effectively communicate your new brand message to your target audience.

4. When experiencing a plateau in growth: If your business is experiencing a plateau in growth, it may be time to reassess your marketing strategy. A marketing consultant can provide an objective perspective and help you identify areas for improvement in your marketing efforts.

5. When facing new competition: If new competitors are entering your market, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. A marketing consultant can help you develop a marketing campaign that will effectively communicate your unique value proposition and help you maintain a competitive edge.

A marketing consultant can most certainly help with making website growth improvements. Unlike a website designer, graphic designer, website developer or a programmer, a marketing consultant has the skills to look at your business, your competitors, your website, market positioning and also technical set up to figure out all the things that have to be changed to grow your website volumes.

1. Website Design and Development: A marketing consultant can help design and develop a website that is user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines. They can ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and optimized for speed, which can improve user experience and search engine rankings.

2. SEO: Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving traffic to your website. A marketing consultant can help you identify relevant keywords, optimize your website content, and improve your website’s overall SEO performance, which can help increase your website’s visibility in search engines and drive more traffic to your website.

3. Content Marketing: Content marketing is an effective way to engage with your target audience and drive traffic to your website. A marketing consultant can help you develop a content marketing strategy that includes blog posts, infographics, videos, and other types of content that will resonate with your target audience.

4. Social Media Marketing: Social media platforms are powerful tools for promoting your business and driving traffic to your website. A marketing consultant can help you develop a social media strategy that includes creating and sharing content on relevant platforms, engaging with your audience, and using social media advertising to reach a wider audience.

5. Conversion Rate Optimization: Conversion rate optimization (CRO) is the process of improving the percentage of visitors to your website who take a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form. A marketing consultant can help you optimize your website’s design, layout, and content to improve your conversion rate, which can lead to increased revenue and growth.

6. Analytics and Reporting: A marketing consultant can help you track and analyze website performance metrics, such as website traffic, conversion rates, and user behaviour. They can provide regular reports and insights that will help you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions that will help your website grow.

To be a good marketing consultant in today’s modern world, it’s important to have a wide range of skills and experience. Here are some key qualities and skills to look for when choosing a marketing consultant:

1. Strategic Thinking: A good marketing consultant should be able to think strategically and develop a marketing plan that aligns with your business goals and objectives.

2. Digital Marketing Expertise: With the increasing importance of digital marketing, a good marketing consultant should have a deep understanding of digital marketing strategies and tactics, including SEO, social media, email marketing, and content marketing.

3. Analytical Skills: Marketing is a data-driven field, and a good marketing consultant should be able to analyze data and use it to make informed decisions about marketing strategies and tactics.

4. Communication Skills: A good marketing consultant should be able to communicate effectively with clients and team members, and be able to clearly explain marketing strategies and tactics.

5. Industry Knowledge: A good marketing consultant should have a thorough understanding of the industry in which your business operates, including market trends, customer behavior, and your competition.

6. Creativity: A good marketing consultant should be able to think creatively and come up with innovative marketing ideas that will help your business stand out from the competition.

7. Adaptability: Marketing is a constantly evolving field, and a good marketing consultant should be able to adapt to new trends and changes in the industry.

When looking for a marketing consultant, business owners should look for someone who has experience working with businesses similar to theirs and can demonstrate a track record of success. They should also ask for references and look for testimonials from other clients. A good marketing consultant should be transparent about their processes and be able to provide regular updates and reports on the progress of their work. Finally, it’s important to find someone who is a good fit for your business and can work collaboratively with your team to achieve your marketing goals.