If you’re a business owner, chances are you’ve been approached by a digital marketing advisor or consultant. They are both digital marketing specialists, offering a wide range of marketing services, but what’s the difference? And which is right for your type of business?

Marketing advisors are usually part of digital marketing agencies. They work with you to create a strategy that meets your business objectives and budget. Marketing consultants, on the other hand, are self-employed with more hands-on experience and approach. So, which is right for you?

In this blog post, we’re going to explore the differences between marketing consulting and advising, and help you decide which is the best fit for your business growth!

What’s the difference between a digital marketing advisor and a digital marketing consultant?

Let’s start from the very beginning and see what’s the difference between an online marketing advisor and an online marketing consultant. Who are their potential clients? What services do they offer?

As mentioned, an advisor is usually the agency’s employee, and it’s brought on to provide an outside, objective perspective on an organization’s marketing activities and overall marketing efforts. On the other hand, digital consultants are more like contractors that provide services as needed.

The key difference between the two is that a digital marketing advisor is more focused on online strategy while an online marketing consultant is more focused on execution.

Marketing advisors are more like a partner to an organization. They help organizations develop long-term marketing plans and strategies on how to reach their target audience. They also provide guidance on crucial marketing tools and tactics to achieve desired marketing goals.

What services do digital marketing advisors and consultants offer?

Marketing advisors offer a variety of services such as:

• Conducting marketing audits
• Developing marketing strategies
• Identifying areas of improvement
• Measuring results.
  
  

Digital marketing consultants, on the other hand, are more focused on executing digital marketing campaigns. They can help with things like:

• Creating and managing accounts on social media platforms
• Planning and executing email marketing campaigns
• Creating and managing Google Ads campaigns
• Creating and managing Facebook Ads campaigns.
  
  

Now that we know the difference between marketing advisors and consultants, as well as the services they offer, can you tell which one is fit right for your business?

How can you tell if you need a marketing advisor or a marketing consultant?

The first step is to assess your organization’s needs. Do you need help with developing a broad marketing strategy? Are you looking for someone to provide guidance on best practices? Or, do you need someone to execute a specific online marketing campaign?

If you need help with strategy, then a marketing advisor is likely a better fit for you. If you’re looking for someone to execute a campaign or provide guidance on best practices, then a remote consultant might be a better option.

It’s also important to consider your marketing budget. External advisors usually work with organizations on long-term contracts while individual consultants are usually hired on a project basis. So, if you have a limited budget, a digital marketing consultant might be a better option.

Now let’s look at some of the benefits of working with each.

Benefits of working with a digital marketing consultant

There are several reasons you might choose to work with a digital consultant over an advisor:

• Consultants are usually more affordable than digital marketing agencies. This is because they don’t have the overhead costs of an agency, such as rent, employee salaries, and benefits.
• Consultants are more flexible than marketing advisors. This is because they typically work with a smaller number of clients.
• Consultants are more hands-on and can provide more comprehensive digital marketing services. This is because they’re usually self-employed and not limited by the scope of an agency’s services.
• Consultants have expertise in a specific area such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, or email marketing. This can be helpful if you’re looking to improve your online presence in a specific area.

Benefits of working with a digital marketing advisor

If you’re looking for more of a strategic partnership, then a marketing advisor may be a better fit for your business. Here are some reasons to consider working with an advisor:

• Advisors can help you develop long-term plans and strategies. This is because they have the combined relevant experience and knowledge to help you set realistic business goals.
• Advisors can provide guidance on how to best use digital marketing tools and digital marketing tactics. This is because they understand the ever-changing landscape of marketing and can offer helpful insights on what’s working well and what’s not.
• Advisors usually have a network of other professionals they can connect you with. This is beneficial if you’re looking for help with other aspects of your online business, such as website design or social media management.
  
  

If you decide you need help from a digital marketing consultant, the next step is to find the right one for your business, and you can find some help and tips here in this article.

However, if you think a marketing advisor is what you’re looking for – then you’re just at the right place! LFDM works with businesses of all sizes to help them develop and execute digital marketing strategies. We’ll work with you to assess your needs and create a customized strategic marketing plan that fits your budget and marketing goals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you grow your business.