Strategy and Marketing Consultant Guide: Should You Hire a Local Marketing Consultant?

What does a strategy and marketing consultant do? Should you hire a local marketing consultant or DIY this kind of thing? Every marketing consultant is different, so let’s figure out whether you need a consultant, a coach, or an agency to do the work for you. We’ve got all your questions answered, including a DIY list for our Type A REBELS!

Strategy and Marketing Consultant Guide: What We’ll Cover

1. What Is a Strategy and Marketing Consultant?
2. What Does a Local Marketing Consultant Do?
3. What a Marketing Strategy Includes
4. What Qualifications Does a Marketing Consultant Need?
5. What to Expect From a Strategy Document
6. How Much Does a Local Marketing Consultant Cost?
7. Why Hire a Local Marketing Consultant Instead of DIY?
8. Marketing Consultant vs. Business Developer vs. Project Manager
9. 5 Steps for DIY Strategy and Marketing Consulting

As a business owner, it can be difficult to shift your mind to think strategically. When you’re busy with everything you need to get done in a day, a week, and a month, it can feel overwhelming to plan effectively for the future. That’s where a strategy and marketing consultant can be a huge benefit.

But first, it’s important to know what to expect. What does a marketing consultant do, what will it cost, and what skills should you look for when hiring one?

Let’s cover some basics…

What Is a Strategy and Marketing Consultant?

Hey there, small business owner! Have you ever heard of a strategy and marketing consultant, or a strategic marketing consultant? No? Well, let me break it down for you in a way that’s easy to understand.

A strategy and marketing consultant is like having a super-savvy business buddy who helps you figure out the best ways to market your business. They take a close look at your business goals, target audience, and competition to come up with a plan that helps you reach more customers and make more moolah.

These consultants are pros at thinking outside the box and coming up with creative ideas to make your business stand out. They can also help with things like social media marketing strategies, email campaigns, and customer retention.

So, if you’re feeling a bit lost when it comes to marketing your business, a strategy and marketing consultant might just be the missing piece of your puzzle. They’ll give you the expert advice and guidance you need to take your business to the next level.

If you are a female business owner, you may find this list of limiting beliefs (and what to do about them) helpful. We did a study and found some things! Follow the link to learn more.

What Does a Local Marketing Consultant Do?

You wouldn’t play a minor league hockey game without a plan, right? That’s what a marketing consultant does. They assess everything, then create a plan specifically for your business. A local marketing consultant typically helps in three areas:

1. Marketing Strategy
2. Business Development
3. Project Management

Here are some of the things you can expect from your personal marketing guru:

• Work with you to create a plan for business growth.
• Help you make sense of the data and metrics for your business.
• Understand consumer behavior and how it relates to your specific customers.
• Analyze your current marketing and create a plan to address what is and isn’t working.
• Identify your target audience.
• Develop a killer marketing message that resonates with your target audience.
• Figure out the best ways to reach your potential customers.
• Keep an eye on your competition.
• Stay up to date on the latest marketing trends.
• Guide your decisions about where to invest your marketing budget.

If you want more foot traffic, or you’re a service-based business that wants more phone calls from people in your city, you need a local marketing consultant. Lots of people call themselves marketing consultants, but many focus on other types of businesses, like nonprofits, churches, e-commerce, or SaaS (software as a service). They can teach you the basics, but if they haven’t worked with brick-and-mortar or local service businesses, it may be hard for them to understand what your business really needs.

What a Marketing Strategy Includes

A strategy is a plan designed to achieve specific goals. You can hire a local marketing consultant to create this plan, or you can do it yourself with some research. If you’ve already done some market research, creating a good strategy will be easier because you’ll know what works locally. Just remember, there isn’t one right way to build a successful online presence. Keep your business true to you and your purpose while you plan your reach and growth.

Here’s what a marketing strategy from a local marketing consultant might include:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Improving your website’s visibility in organic (unpaid) search results through keyword optimization, content, and link building, so more people find your business.
• Social Media Management: Posting regularly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, engaging with followers, responding quickly to comments, and monitoring negative posts.
• Email Marketing: Staying top of mind with regular emails and clear calls to action. Tools like Constant Contact make it easy with templates and professional-looking designs.
• Content Creation: Creating valuable information people want to read or watch, like articles, videos, podcasts, how-to guides, and case studies.
• Link Building: Getting other websites to link to yours. Think of it as digital networking. Some business owners make it a goal to reach out to at least one potential partner each week.
• Website Design and Development: Every website needs pages with a clear message, strong calls to action, and a positive user experience.

One great benefit of an overall marketing strategy is how each piece works together. If you’re trying to build an email list, you might offer a freebie to people who sign up. If you’re looking to grow traffic, you might run special promotions. If you need to improve conversions, you’ll probably focus on your website’s user experience. Curious about the tools used for marketing strategy? Visit our Tools Page to see some of the sites and tools we use.

What Qualifications Does a Marketing Consultant Need?

So, what qualifications should you look for when hiring a strategy and marketing consultant? We’ve got your back!

First off, a marketing consultant should have a solid understanding of marketing strategies and tactics. They should be able to develop a marketing plan that fits your business goals and budget.

Next, they should be up to date on the latest marketing trends and technologies. The marketing world is constantly evolving, so it’s important for your consultant to be on top of the latest and greatest.

A degree in marketing or a related field is a plus, but not always necessary. Listen, we know plenty of people who’ve worked miracles with experience and some moxie. What matters most is their experience in the field and a proven track record of success. Before signing anything, check out their portfolio.

Here are a few other skills we’ve seen consistently in great marketing consultants:

• Excellent communication skills: Your consultant should be able to explain their strategies and recommendations in a way that makes sense to you, whether by email, video call, or face-to-face. That also shows an ability to craft the right messaging for your business.
• Good listening skills: A great consultant listens to you and your customers before making recommendations.
• Strong organizational skills: Being organized saves time and money and means less stress for everyone involved.
• Experience juggling multiple projects: Successful consultants can manage several priorities at once without sacrificing quality.
• Passion for what they do: A great marketing consultant is always thinking of new ways to promote your business and boost your bottom line.

What to Expect From a Strategy Document

In his book, No Bullsh*t Strategy, Alex M H Smith lists four things you should be able to expect from a strategy document:

1. Strategy Argument: Your reading of the market + your plan + why it will work.
2. Strategy Statement: A short, practical statement of the strategy in a nutshell.
3. Implications: A list of key things you need to do to execute the strategy.
4. Execution Flow: A suggested order and prioritization of the actions.

These are the things you should be able to expect from a strategy and marketing consultant with a thoughtfully crafted plan.

How Much Does a Local Marketing Consultant Cost?

Marketing consultant rates vary widely depending on experience and the services offered. On freelance marketplaces like Upwork, the median rate for marketing consultants is about $35 per hour, with most charging between $20 and $60 (Upwork). Experienced consultants commonly charge $100 to $300+ per hour, and monthly retainers often range from $3,000 to $15,000 (MarketerHire).

Those rates usually cover consulting only. Many consultants also offer additional services like website design, graphic design, copywriting, video production, photography, SEO, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and content creation. Extra services add up quickly, so have an idea of the direction you want to go and start with the services that will benefit you most. You can always build from there.

How Much Should You Budget for a Marketing Campaign?

There’s no one-size-fits-all number. A common rule of thumb is to spend about 5% to 10% of your revenue on marketing, but the right budget depends on your goals, your competition, and what you can sustain for at least a few months. Remember to budget your time, too. Even a small ad budget needs someone to create posts, respond to comments, and track results, and spending more hours doesn’t automatically mean a better return. Start with what you can afford, measure what works, and adjust from there.

Why Hire a Local Marketing Consultant Instead of DIY?

There are many reasons you might choose to hire a local marketing consultant instead of building your own strategy:

• Time: Getting a new strategy off the ground takes time, and getting the foundation right the first time is critical. A consultant saves you hours of trial and error.
• Experience: Most consultants have been through the process many times with other businesses.
• Expertise: Most business owners aren’t experts in SEO, paid ads, or analytics. A consultant brings that knowledge so you can succeed more easily.
• Resources: Marketing tools and software can be expensive and require constant upkeep. Working with a consultant gives you access to their tools and frees up your resources for other parts of your business.
• Support: A good local marketing consultant understands your type of business and can guide you toward solutions that work in your niche. Some also provide support beyond the initial project, but that isn’t always included, so make sure your expectations match theirs before you start.

Check out another blog we wrote on What Makes Marketing Coaches Different From Consultants?

Marketing Consultant vs. Business Developer vs. Project Manager

What Does a Business Development Consultant Do?

A business development consultant helps businesses find new customers, clients, and partners through networking events, trade shows, business referrals, partnerships, and outreach. They work closely with companies to identify growth opportunities. Startups and small businesses often use them to find partners, suppliers, and distributors, and nonprofits use them to build fundraising and sponsorship opportunities.

What Does a Project Manager Do?

A project manager oversees a project from beginning to end, through the planning, execution, monitoring, and closing phases. In marketing, that could mean launching a new website, rolling out a campaign, or coordinating a team of designers and writers. A good project manager has strong leadership skills and knows the project’s key areas well.

What’s the Difference Between a Marketing Consultant and a Project Manager?

A marketing consultant helps you decide what to do: they assess your business and create the strategy. A project manager focuses on getting it done: they keep the plan on track, on time, and on budget. Many businesses need both, and some agencies offer both under one roof. Here’s more on small business project management.

When choosing between them, think about how much experience each person brings, whether they offer ongoing support like monthly reports or follow-up calls, and whether you need a plan, someone to carry it out, or both.

At RebelFish Local, we offer small group coaching, 1-on-1 consulting, and every local marketing service you can think of through our agency. If you aren’t sure which is best for your situation, schedule a call.

Set Your Expectations Upfront

Whoever you hire, cover your expectations upfront. How much time will they spend with you? Will you meet in person, by phone, or online? How long will sessions be? Consulting sessions are usually focused on one or two items at a time, so there won’t be time to cover every business need in a single meeting.

5 Steps for DIY Strategy and Marketing Consulting

If you’re not quite ready to hire a strategy and marketing consultant, here are 5 steps to DIY this process and get on your way.

Step 1: Know Your Niche. Figure out who your ideal clients are and what they need. The more specific, the better!

Step 2: Create Killer Content. Show off your expertise with blogs, videos, and social media posts that provide value to your potential clients.

Step 3: Build Your Network. Get out there and meet people! Networking events, industry conferences, and social media groups are all great places to connect with potential clients. Ask your existing clients for business referrals, and collect testimonials from happy customers. Both are great tools for building trust with potential clients.

Step 4: Offer Freebies. Everyone loves free stuff! Offer a free consultation, eBook, or webinar to show off what you can do. A quality lead magnet offers something of value to potential customers, captures their attention, and makes them more likely to become paying clients.

Step 5: Follow Up. Don’t drop the ball after that first meeting or connection. Stay in touch and nurture those relationships to turn them into paying clients.

So there you have it: five simple steps to start bringing in clients consistently. Give it a try and see your business soar!

Still wondering whether you could benefit from hiring a local marketing consultant? Schedule a call with us today, and we’ll talk through your situation to find the best fit.

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