ONLINE MARKETING CONSULTING
Could Your Business Benefit from Online Marketing Consulting?
Could Your Business Benefit From Online Marketing Consulting?
A business owner can take advantage of online marketing consulting services to save hundreds of thousands dollars. There are almost 4 billion people online! This means almost 90 percent of the United States population is online. Chances are a good portion of your target audience regularly turns to the Internet for products, services, and research.
Online marketing refers to using the power of the Internet in all its forms to reach your market. This includes digital media, email, social media, websites and blogs, etc.
The right online marketing consulting agency can help you to reach RIGHT PEOPLE with RIGHT INFORMATION at the RIGHT TIME. As a result you will boost sales, increase visibility, and decrease customer acquisition costs.
What exactly is online marketing consulting?
An online marketing consultant is an expert in online growth strategies. However, having the knowledge of online strategies and tactics isn’t enough! A top-notch consultant would also know how to analyze your particular business situation. The consultant will analyze your requirements and then create a personalized campaign to achieve your specific business objectives.
Just like with any other kind of marketing, one size does NOT fit all! The best consultants will save you time and money and achieve a higher return on investment (ROI). They design a solution specifically for you and your business goals.
Most of the online marketing consulting experts have run their own successful companies. So they understand the special and unique needs of small businesses. They know at more than just an intellectual level your priorities and issues, and will be able to address those concerns.
NOW is the time to scale your business and maximize your online presence!
90% of U.S. is Online.
Almost 4 Billion Globally
How can online marketing consulting help you and your business?
Consultants can serve many roles for small businesses, including:
- Subject matter expert. Consultants usually keep abreast of the “latest and greatest” and tend to educate their clients about the trends and changes. This will greatly impact your business. Then they help devise strategies to make the most of opportunities. It’s a way to expand your resource base without detracting from your other duties as business owner/CEO.
Subject matter expert. A consultant can keep abreast of the “latest and greatest” and make you aware of trends and changes that can impact your business. Then they help devise strategies to make the most of opportunities. It’s a way to expand your resource base without detracting from your other duties as business owner/CEO.
- Trusted advisor. Owning and running a small business can be a lonely endeavor. Having access to someone who knows and appreciates your business to serve as a sounding board or brainstorming partner is invaluable. They’re already up to speed on your business and can bring a different perspective to the discussion.
Trusted advisor. Owning and running a small business can be a lonely endeavor. Having access to someone who knows and appreciates your business to serve as a sounding board or brainstorming partner is invaluable. They’re already up to speed on your business and can bring a different perspective to the discussion
- Objective outsider. Sometimes we as business owners can be just too close to our companies. To have someone with vested interest in your business’s success, and ability to see the "big picture", is extremely helpful.
Objective outsider. Sometimes we as business owners can be just too close to our companies. Having someone who has a vested interest in our business’s success, but who can see situations from a broader perspective, is extremely helpful.
Why Hire an Online Marketing Consultant?
Online tools and trends change almost constantly! They change more rapidly than virtually any other channel. From Google search engine optimization (SEO) ranking algorithms to the latest trends in Facebook advertising. What worked last year or even last month may be out of date today.
To stay on top of the latest trends, updates, and tools is almost a full-time job in and of itself. This is where an online marketing expert comes into picture. The expert can assist you and your business in employing online marketing to its highest and best use.
Rather than having to invest your limited time and resources in becoming an expert in all things digital, a consultant can bring his or her expertise to bear on your business. The Growth & Profitability Team work with many different industries We have a front-row seat to what’s working and what’s NOT in all kinds of businesses.
Our team of experts can apply their discoveries to your specific business, helping you reduce costs and increase sales.
What should you look for when hiring an online marketing consultant?
There is no specific training or certification required to become a consultant of any sort. It can be difficult to tell the “real thing” from the wannabes.
Here's a list of questions to ask when vetting potential consultants...
- What kinds of companies have you worked with before? Look for a synergy between your business/industry and the kinds of companies and businesses the consultant has worked with. If their experience is with dog breeders but you’re in the restaurant business, this is not be a good match.
What kinds of companies have you worked with before? Look for a synergy between your business/industry and the kinds of companies and businesses the consultant has worked with. If all their experience is with, say, dog breeders and you’re in the restaurant business, it may not be a good match.
- What results did you have? While each company will be different, it’s good to know some benchmarks of what the consultant has achieved before.
What results did you have? While each company will be different, it’s good to know some benchmarks of what the consultant has achieved before.
- What kind of training do you have? As mentioned above, there’s no set training or certification to become an online marketing consultant. However, a top candidate should be well-versed in the latest trends and strategies in online marketing. That might mean working for a leading digital marketing agency, or taking courses and continuing education in online marketing. It is also a big plus if the consultant is running his or her own successful business.
What kind of training do you have? As mentioned above, there’s no set training or certification for consultants, but a top candidate should be well-versed in the latest trends and strategies in online marketing. That might mean running his or her own successful business, or working for a leading digital marketing agency, or taking courses and continuing education in online marketing.
- Describe the best client you’ve ever worked with. Answer to this question will help you ascertain whether or not the potential consultant is a great fit for you. If she says, “I like clients who just pay their invoices and don’t ask questions,” she is not for you.
Describe the best client you’ve ever worked with. This question gives you a chance to see if you’re a great fit with the potential consultant – or not. If she says, “I like clients who just pay their invoices and who don’t ask questions,” that might not fit your personality. (Side note: your consultant should never make you feel bad about asking questions or asking for clarification. After all, you’re signing the check!)
Side note: Your consultant should never make you feel bad about asking questions or asking for clarification.
After all, you’re signing the check!
Consultants can serve many roles for small businesses, including:
How can online marketing consulting help you and your business?
- Describe the most challenging client you’ve ever worked with. Like the previous question, this one lets you get a sense for how the consultant prefers to interact with clients.
Describe the most challenging client you’ve ever worked with. Like the previous question, this one lets you get a sense for how the consultant prefers to interact with clients.
What kinds of companies have you worked with before? Look for a synergy between your business/industry and the kinds of companies and businesses the consultant has worked with. If all their experience is with, say, dog breeders and you’re in the restaurant business, it may not be a good match.
- What’s your process for working with clients? Good consultants usually have an “onboarding” process to thoroughly understand client business and tailor their services according to clients' needs. While “one size fits all” consultants might seem cheaper, their work is often more costly in the long run. This is because you’re getting a generic solution, not one that’s customized for you.
What’s your process for working with clients? The best consultants have an “onboarding” process to thoroughly understand your business and tailor their services to your needs. While “one size fits all” consultants might seem cheaper, their work is often more costly in the long run because you’re getting a generic solution, not one that’s customized for you.
What kind of timeline should I expect? Ask the consultant to lay out expected milestones at 30, 60, and 90 days. You should also know what kind of activity to expect from each milestone.
What kind of timeline should I expect? Ask the consultant to lay out expected milestones at 30, 60, and 90 days, and what kind of activity you can expect to see for each milestone.
- What if our goals aren’t met? While “guaranteeing” results is a definite danger sign, a true expert will at a minimum guarantee activity. Often, they’ll offer to continue to work with you at a reduced rate until your goals are achieved. They may also provide some other restitution if you’re not satisfied.
What if our goals aren’t met? While “guaranteeing” results is a definite danger sign, a true expert will at a minimum guarantee activity. Often, they’ll offer to continue to work with you at a reduced rate until your goals are achieved, or to provide some other restitution if you’re not satisfied.
At Growth & Profitability we use and recommend THESE Online Marketing Tools.
In summary…
The right online marketing consulting service can become a valuable addition to your team. Do your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line or commit to an extended contract. Evaluate your potential candidates to make sure they have the experience and history of success to deserve your trust.
In summary…
The right online marketing consulting service can become a valuable addition to your team. But before you sign on the dotted line or commit to an extended contract, evaluate your potential candidates to make sure they have the experience and history of success to deserve your trust.
