Marketing consultants analyze a company’s current marketing strategies, identify areas for improvement, and develop new plans to help businesses grow their brand, reach more customers, and increase revenue. They offer expert advice and help implement marketing campaigns.
Median income:
$73217 annually or $35.20 per hour, but it varies depending on experience and client base.
Lifestyle:
Many marketing consultants are self-employed or work for consulting firms, with flexible schedules that often include remote work and client meetings.
Exciting Parts of the Job:
Making the marketing strategy unique to the client’s skills and personality
Allowing clients to feel proud of their product without the stress of trying to be something they’re not
Getting into a client’s story and business to create personalized marketing and content
Challenging Parts of the Job:
Dealing with the disconnect between what the client wants and what they’re willing to invest to achieve it
Helping clients understand the reality of what it takes to get desired marketing results
Encouraging clients to embrace uncomfortable tasks that will help them reach their goals
Education Requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field is typically required. Experience in the field is highly valued.
This is perfect for you if:
You enjoy developing creative strategies
You like solving business challenges
You love marketing trends and implementing them
If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Michael Carpenter to learn more about being a marketing consultant here!
Day in the Life
Schedule:
Marketing consultants typically work flexible hours, balancing client meetings, project deadlines, and research on market trends.
Setting:
Works remotely, in office settings, or at client offices, often involving travel to meet with clients.
Tasks:
Analyze current marketing efforts, develop strategies to boost brand awareness, implement digital marketing campaigns, monitor campaign performance, and provide ongoing advice to improve marketing effectiveness.
Topics:
Marketing strategy, digital marketing, social media trends, branding, customer behavior, SEO, content marketing, data analytics, advertising, market research, and conversion optimization.
Skills:
Strategic thinking, creativity, data analysis, knowledge of marketing tools, and excellent communication.
Tools:
Laptop or computer with access to marketing software like Google Analytics, HubSpot, social media platforms, content management systems, and project management tools like Asana and Trello.
Common Characteristics
Natural Talents (strengths):
Strong problem-solving abilities, strategic mindset, creativity, excellent communication, adaptability to changing markets, and a results-driven attitude.
Interests:
Enjoys creating marketing strategies, analyzing consumer behavior, keeping up with industry trends, leading projects, and working with clients to solve business challenges.
Personality:
Typically have enterprising, artistic, and conventional personality types, with a focus on leadership, creativity, and structure in developing marketing plans.
Values:
Innovation, collaboration, helping businesses grow, customer-focused strategies, and continuous improvement.
*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.
How to Become a Marketing Consultant
Education Requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, or a related field is generally required. Work experience in marketing, branding, or business development is highly beneficial.
Preferred Majors
Pursuing majors in marketing, business administration, communication, public relations, advertising, digital marketing, media studies, and entrepreneurship can be helpful.
Specialties and Similar Career Paths
Brand Consultant
Digital Marketing Strategist
SEO Consultant
Content Marketing Consultant
Social Media Marketing Consultant
Public Relations Specialist
Advertising Consultant
Business Development Consultant
Marketing Research Analyst
Growth Marketing Manager
Advice from Michael
Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:
First, find your niche and focus on your specialty. Craft a clear offer that highlights the problem you solve, and directly ask for work by showing the value you provide. Create content and promote yourself on social media to attract clients, and as you gain experience, referrals will come naturally.
Recommended resources:
Michael recommends leveraging free tips and advice about marketing on YouTube and Google and reaching out to marketing coaches for guidance, especially if you’re just starting.
What Michael would tell his younger self if he was just getting started:
“I would give myself grace and say, “Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself.” I would spend time learning to love myself better. Entrepreneurship is really hard, and you go through a lot of rejection and ups and downs. Sometimes your mental health takes a hit because you start to internalize, “This person didn’t hire me, so I’m not good enough,” but that’s not true. As a young entrepreneur, I took those hits, stored them, and eventually had a meltdown, thinking, “I can’t do this anymore.” I would tell my younger self, “You are good. You can do this.”
