If you have a marketing team in-house that already does a good job of bringing in leads, that’s great. But if you don’t, and you feel you need some outside help, what should you look for?

Before you interview any marketing consultant, ask yourself these questions:

• Have you identified your target market? What type of customer are you trying to attract?
• Do you have a business plan in place?
• What sets your business apart from your competitors? Why should a customer choose your company instead of someone else?
• What marketing efforts have worked well for you in the past?
• Do you know how much it currently costs you to acquire a new customer?
• Do you have a marketing budget in place?
• Are you looking to tackle a single project (such as building a website) or are you looking for a long-term partnership?

Knowing the answers to these questions before you meet with and hire a consultant will guide your conversation and help you find the right match. If you’re clear about what your expectations and needs are, you’ll be more likely to achieve your goals and grow your business.

What to look for

First, look for a consultant who will sit down with you to learn and ask questions about your business goals and needs. Someone who has a marketing plan in mind before understanding your target market and your business is probably going to waste your time and money!  Watch out for ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions.

Here are some other questions to ask a potential consultant: 

• Is there a portfolio of previous work you can review in print or online?
• Can he/she give you some names of clients as references? (Note: Be sure to take the time to actually contact a few of these people to ask about their experience!)
• What are the firm’s areas of expertise? Is he/she familiar with the latest marketing trends?
• How would the billing and payment process work?
• When and how often will he/she provide reporting and results from marketing campaigns?
• Can he/she provide you with a range of marketing options and corresponding prices?
• Does the firm have enough time to devote to your project(s) and deadline(s) right now?

Want to find out if Breathe Marketing is the right fit for your marketing needs? Contact us today to arrange a time to talk.