When the times comes for you to start thinking of bringing in a digital marketing specialist and consultant, it can be hard to know exactly what to look for besides the obvious criteria such as track record and services. You’ve looked at a few websites, and you have a basic idea of what you should be looking for in a consultant (and which type of consultant to avoid). You may even have a short list of people to meet.
Asking the right questions can be a very effective way of reading between the lines. To help you fine tune your search, I’ve put together a list of the most important questions to ask your prospective marketing consultant when meeting them or connecting with them via email or phone to help you with your digital marketing services.
What to ask your prospective marketing consultant
How do you know whether the marketing consultant you are considering is the right person to help you grow your business online? For starters, you can try asking the following questions…
1. How will you market my business so that I reach the right people?
You should be asked in return what audience you are aiming to attract. Any potential consultant should be able to give you a basic idea of how they will deliver targeted strategies that are designed to reach your ideal audience. Once the consultant understands your business better, campaigns will be defined and executed more strategically.
2. How will you measure my marketing campaign’s success?
This question will help you determine how campaigns are tracked and reported. Monthly reports for data driven campaigns such as social media and website optimisation, digital advertising and online reputation are standard for most consultants.
3. What is your marketing background?
Experience and a portfolio are the most important things to look for in a consultant. Simply having a blog, Facebook page or Twitter account is not enough to ensure that they will be able to deliver real results. A marketing specialist that has ample experience in a wide range of marketing fields is vital to your chances of success.
4. What is the longest time you’ve worked with a client?
This may seem like a strange question. If the consultant offers ongoing or monthly services, be sure that they have at least one client who has been with them for a year or more. For ad hoc work however, it is common to find shorter contracts. Be wary of consultants who only have brand new clients.
5. What industries do you specialise in?
While most consultants will have a broad understanding of many industries, it can be useful to know whether your consultant knows your industry. If you have to explain too much or the consultant has to learn complex industry details, it might end up taking more time than it is worth.
If you’re looking for an experienced consultant who has helped a number of clients achieve their results, get in touch today. I offer a wide range of marketing consultant services that cater the unique needs of each client.
