Strong marketing strategies are critical for any business...and it can be tricky to figure out where to start if you're not a marketing experthere’s where a B2B marketing consultant comes in handy!
A B2B marketing consultant will help you target the right audience, execute thoughtful marketing strategies, and track results properly. Here are a few tips to learn how to hire a B2B marketing consultant to take your business to the next level.
Understand the role of a B2B marketing consultant
An experienced B2B marketing consultant will help you identify your buyer persona, target audience, create profitable marketing campaigns, and track your business results.
But, there are a lot of roles B2B marketing consultants can play based on your company's needs. Typically, a B2B marketing consultant is at a strategic level and can help you define a roadmap to get the results you want by developing and implementing a customized marketing strategy.
In addition to helping the business develop and implement a marketing strategy, a B2B marketing consultant can also help with marketing tools and technology such as customer relationship management (CRM) software, email marketing platforms, and social media management tools.
In any case, each B2B marketing consultant will have his/her strengths and therefore, it’s important to know his/her particular business specialties to make the right choice.
What factors should you consider before hiring a B2B marketing consultant?
When you're looking for a B2B marketing consultant, you should consider these elements before taking a final decision:
Determine your business and marketing needs
Start by figuring out what you need from a B2B marketing consultant. By doing this, you'll be able to narrow down your search and find a consultant who's right for your company.
Identify your marketing needs by thinking about what you want to accomplish. Are you looking to increase sales? Get more customers? Build your brand? When you know what you want, you can start figuring out what marketing services you need.
Let's say you're a small business, you might need help with branding, social media, and content marketing just to get started. Later, when you have an established company, you can focus on perfecting the sales funnel, lead generation, and email marketing, among other marketing services.
By knowing what you need, you can narrow down your search and find the right B2B marketing consultant for you. If you do this, you'll get the most value for your money and ensure that you're working with a marketing consultant who's got the skills and experience you’re looking for.
Research potential consultants
The next step is to research potential B2B marketing consultants once you've determined your needs.
Find B2B marketing consultants that specialize in helping businesses grow with their expertise in your area through online directories and freelance websites. Depending on your industry, there may be industry associations or trade groups that can help you find B2B marketing consultants.
You can even check out the consultant's professional social medial accounts and forums and learn more about potential fits for your company. On platforms like LinkedIn, you can learn about consultants' experience and see their work examples.
Once you've compiled a list, you should reach out to them to find out more about their services. By narrowing down your list, you'll find a consultant who's the right fit.
Ask for references
Once you've narrowed down your list of potential B2B marketing consultants, it's important to ask for references from past clients. This can be a great way to get a sense of the consultant's style and effectiveness and can give you a better idea of whether they're the right fit for your business.
You'll also find testimonials on many websites like Trustpilot where clients leave feedback after their experience with a particular consultant.
Consider the cost
It's critical to invest in quality marketing services, but not at the expense of your budget.
Depending on the consultant's experience and expertise, he can charge anywhere from $50 to $500 (or more) per hour. So, get an idea of what their hourly rates are and how they charge.
With a limited budget, you'll have to settle for someone with less experience. But with a larger budget, there will be no problem finding an experienced consultant.
Some B2B marketing consultants charge a flat fee for a specific project or defined Scope of Work. If you want to know exactly what you're going to pay upfront for a specific project, this is a viable option.
However, to find the most competitive deal, get quotes from multiple consultants. Find out what each consultant's hourly rate is, their project-based fees, and any other costs they may have. Make sure you get a good deal by comparing market rates for B2B marketing services and keep in mind that top B2B marketing consultants are more concerned with the project's outcome and not the number of hours they work.
Remember that the cheapest option isn't always the most suitable. Cost is important, but you need a B2B marketing consultant with the right skills and experience to help you reach your goals.
Meet in person or set up a discovery call
You can get a feel for their fees and experience by taking an introductory call or meeting with the B2B marketing consultant in person. Getting to know a consultant's personality and communication style can be helpful... And it's a good time to ask questions.
- How do you do B2B marketing?
- What's your client service like?
- Can you tell me about the results you've gotten for past clients?
- Is there anything I can look at that shows your work?
These questions can give you a sense of your consultant's style and approach, and if they're a good fit for your business. You can have a virtual meeting using video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet.
A B2B marketing consultant may give you the key to boosting your revenue
Finding the right marketing consultant can pay off in the long run, so it's worth taking your time.
You can boost your business by hiring a B2B marketing consultant. The key is to find a consultant who's a good fit for your business, and who'll help you create a marketing plan that's right for you. By developing a strong marketing strategy, you'll reach new customers, increase sales, and succeed.
Do you own or work at a company looking to elevate its branding? Schedule a free consultation with the PUNCHY team today!
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