Marketing Damage Control: How To Pick A Marketing Consultant

The following thoughts may reflect bias because I’m a marketing consultant. Some may see this post as self serving. That’s not my intent. As a consultant, I select clients and they select me. A good marketing consultant must earn your business and be the right fit. Whether you choose my services or someone else, the info below may provide helpful starting points of evaluation to select marketing help. My tips are thus the prejudices of a marketing consultant and so the right answers for you may be different. In spite of these concerns, these thoughts are important to consider.

Some of my best clients come from other’s mistakes. More frequently new clients arrive at my digital door seeking damage control. Some past “marketing consultant” or “digital expert” had the fix but instead created more problems than solutions.

When seeking marketing services, be careful who you hire. A quick hire may cause a quick fire. Pick a partner not a problem. Often the damage costs revenue and takes time to repair. Be patient with the good hire.

Some marketing consultant hiring tips:

• You get what you pay for. Red Adair once said, “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, just wait till you hire an amateur.” It’s an investment in your business, not a swap meet savings spree. A good mind costs money yet gets results and ROI over time.
• Read their writing. If a marketing consultant does not have a blog they have a lazy mind. There should be at least 100 posts to read. Better yet, if they’re an author, read those Amazon reviews. Bottom line: if they can’t think for themselves, how can they think for you?
• Check their references and reviews.
• Do they include a tight, intelligent, and fair contract before they start work? If not, run. A good contract protects you as much as the consultant.
• Evaluate their education and experience.
• Does the marketing consultant answer all your questions directly and provide actual examples of past results?
• Check their website’s domain authority. If they are not on the radar how do you expect them to get you on the radar?