Small businesses hire marketing consultants for many reasons. But do you know what you should consider when evaluating marketing consultants?
In this video, Duct Tape Marketing founder John Jantsch discusses the four key questions you should consider when hiring a consultant for your marketing.
Why Are You Hiring a Consultant?
A marketing consultant will bring a holistic approach to your marketing. It’s important to realize from the get-go that hiring a consultant is a long-term investment, not a quick fix. They will bring value to your business, but a good one will do this systematically and organically over time
Who Can Consultants Help?
You have to have a good business, product and/or service to begin with. Customers should already be coming back to you and referring you to their colleagues and friends.
In other words consultants can’t save you. What they can do is take your business to the next level.
What Do Consultants Do?
A good marketing consultant will have a strategic and consistent approach from the start. They will strategically align your social media, website, SEO, email marketing and content so that they work together to create a cohesive online presence.
How Should I Go About Hiring a Consultant?
Do a little research by looking for them online; visiting their website and social media channels. Are they practicing what they preach? Set up an interview to learn about their approach and determine if it aligns with your business and your goals. Ask for references to learn about the results that they have gotten for other clients. Also, don’t feel like you are bound to consultants that only serve your particular industry. Many marketing consultants serve a broad range of industries, are very well rounded and could be a great fit.
Here’s a Good Place to Start
If you think you may need to hire a marketing consultant, a good place to start is with our Total Online Presence Audit. It can help you determine the areas in which a consultant can help you focus and fine-tune your marketing to improve your results.
Need more than a consultant, but can’t afford a full-time CMO? Learn about the role a Fractional CMO can play in leading the marketing charge for your organization.
