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.
FAQs
Is it necessary for small businesses to hire marketing advisors?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Every business is different and has different marketing needs.
If you’re a small business owner who is wearing many hats, then it might be necessary for you to hire a marketing advisor or consultant to help you develop and implement a marketing strategy in order to reach your target market. However, if you have a team of advertising professionals in-house, then you might not need to hire an outside consultant.
How can you tell if you’re working with a qualified digital marketing professional?
The best way to tell if you’re working with a qualified digital marketer is to ask for some examples of their work. A qualified digital marketing advisor or consultant should be able to provide you with some case studies or examples of their work that showcase the results they’ve achieved for other clients.
If you’re interested in knowing the LFDM’s numbers, you can find them here.
What should you look for in a digital marketing advisor or consultant?
When you’re looking for a marketing advisor or consultant, you should look for someone who has a rich background in internet marketing, as well as experience in your industry, and someone who is up-to-date on the latest digital marketing trends. You should also look for someone who is transparent about their pricing and who is willing to work with you to create a custom plan that fits your budget.
What are the benefits of using data analytics?
Some benefits of using data analytics are that you can make more informed decisions about your digital marketing channels and strategies, you can track and measure your digital growth, and you can optimize your campaigns to get the most ROI.
What is the difference between full-time and part-time employees?
Full-time marketing advisors and consultants are typically more expensive than part-time ones. However, they also usually have more relevant experience and can offer a higher level of service. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each before making a decision.
If you can secure projects that require ongoing work for 6-12 months or even years, then hiring full-time employees is better.
What skills are required for marketing consultants and advisors?
Both digital marketing consultants and advisors need a mix of technical and soft skills to work effectively with their clients. They are usually skilled in marketing, business, communications, and psychology. A degree in marketing or business is also desirable.
How much do digital marketing advisors and consultants charge?
It’s hard to tell because there are so many variables involved in digital marketing services. The size of your company, your budget, the scope of work, etc. and all play a role in how much you’ll be charged. Both digital marketing advisors and consultants can have an hourly rate or work on a project basis.
However, when it comes to marketing advising, here at LFDM, we offer two kinds of contracts:
- Option 1: Auditing while Executing
- Option 2: Audit & Blueprint One-off.
You can find more detailed information about our pricing and the type of work we offer on our homepage.