Every business’ strategy is different and if you don’t know where to start, it might be time to hire a small business marketing consultant.

There’s a new Vietnamese dessert shop that opened right down the road in a new district. I had frequented the coffee shop next door but never stopped in to see what they had to offer.

My husband and I decided to pop in for a visit and the choices were incredible. A giant raspberry macaron with chocolate ganache filling and a strawberry cheesecake tart with a chocolate flake on the top. These had to come from a dessert fairy disguised as this man’s wife.

My husband and I looked at one another and then started debating on which one to purchase– we only wanted one, the best fit for both of us. (This is usually hard because we don’t always agree on the “ideal” dessert). I said, “We should get this because you like it,” he said, “We should get this one because it’s your favorite.”

We ended up getting another one that neither of us had tried before. It. was. incredible! Looking through the glass you can tell that it’s going to be amazing, however, when you put that first sweet bite into your mouth and your tastebuds water as a ‘thank you,’ that takes the cake… literally.

Now, how does all of this dessert talk do us any good in the marketing world (besides making us hungry)? Choosing desserts is similar to choosing a small business marketing consultant for your company. It requires time, effort, thinking, maybe a little research, and some–okay– a lot of talking.

Each marketing consultant is different, just like the dessert options that this little shop offered. Each flavor offers a different experience; the same thing as hiring a different small business marketing consultant.

But, the decision doesn’t have to be hard. There are different options that come with each person but here’s why you should consider one, in general.

Guidelines

A small business marketing consultant can give you the guidelines you need to keep on a marketing path that’s a good fit for you. A lot of times, they come up with the ideas, teach you how to do them and then you’re in charge of implementing.

Skills

One thing small business marketing consultants have are skills. They have a background (ask them about this) and they also have ideas and methods that they can teach you in order to help you along the best path.

Benefits

The benefit of working with someone, or a company who does small business consulting, is that they can tell you exactly what you need to do. Think of it as an outside source giving you all of the ideal recipe you need in order to create your ideal company.

Short-Term or Long-Term

A marketing consultant can be a short-term or long-term investment. With this, it can help you determine which length of time is the best and how they’ve helped you thus far.

For our consulting, it’s either three or six months with the option to renew at the end of the term.

Compare

A consultant not only knows what to do but they’ve most likely worked with other businesses in the past and they can help you just like they’ve helped them. They can compare what you’re doing against what they suggest to get optimal results within your business.

Team Work

When bringing someone on who’s new to your business, it can be a little nervewracking. However, this marketing consultant knows about marketing, and you know about your business. They’ll take time to understand what you’re offering and how you can tailor the messaging in order to help your sales grow, help your inventory management, whatever the case may be, think of this as a team.

Cost Effective

When hiring someone like this, they’ll help you by saving money and directing you along the perfect path to what your business will need for your marketing. After they’ve analyzed your business, they’ll come up with a plan. Most small business consultants work with you, alongside you to make sure the plan is being implemented, as well as to measure results that you’re getting.

It can be intimidating trying to find a small business marketing consultant who will be the best fit, but, just like choosing desserts, ask questions, review their website and set up an initial call. This will help you determine which company (like ours) is a good fit and which company will be able to help you soar.