What is a marketing strategist?
Strategic marketing consultants help organizations develop and implement a marketing strategy. Although they are marketing experts, they are considered generalists. They will therefore have expertise in a variety of marketing channels and activities.
Someone other than a strategic marketing consultant may be the right person to hire if, for example, an organization wants to develop a cold email lead generation strategy. This company would be better off hiring a consultant specializing in email lead generation.
Hiring a marketing strategist is an excellent option if a company wants to create an integrated marketing plan after researching the market, listening to customers, and gathering competitive intelligence.
A strategic marketing consultant with multi-channel marketing skills would execute this project.
What is a marketing strategist?
A strategic marketing consultant’s primary responsibility is to assist companies in developing marketing strategies by using research, data, and analytics. The consultant will determine a company’s objectives, goals, market trends, and competitive insights.
The consultant can then use this information to create a marketing plan that will exceed the goals and objectives of the company.
The consultant may recommend pricing strategies, segmentation, messaging, marketing channels, targeting, etc.
What do strategic marketing consultants earn?
Most marketing strategists are employed by a company or self-employed. Strategic salaries are often affected by experience and location. Virtual and remote working capabilities are changing this.
For example, my clients are located worldwide, even though I am a marketing consultant based in Oklahoma.
If you hire a strategic marketing consultant by the hour, your starting rate will range between $100 and $300. Hourly rates will increase as a consultant’s experience increases.
Some consultants charge a flat rate for their services. A single project can cost up to $30,000 if the client is medium-sized or large. Early-stage startups sometimes (but only sometimes) try to pay their consultants less.
The average strategic marketing consultant can earn $100,000 per year. How much a marketing consultant makes depends on their price strategy and how well they can sign clients.
Some marketing consultants earn more than $200,000.
How to become an expert in strategic marketing:
You can be a marketing strategist in many ways. You could work at a consulting firm or launch your own business.
These steps are better suited to starting a small business.
Step 1: Research what a marketing strategist does
A consultant’s job includes research. You’ll need to know what the job entails and your required skills. You can then decide whether it’s the right career for you.
You’ll also need to research whether you want to start your own consulting business or work for an existing firm. Starting a consulting business has many benefits. It can be challenging to create.
There are certain benefits to working for a consultancy. You will also have a support network and access to resources you would not have had if you worked for yourself.
As an independent consultant, I always advise going it alone.
Step 2: Obtain a relevant qualification
A consultant in strategic marketing must have a thorough understanding of marketing concepts and know how to apply these principles to a business setting. You will gain the necessary theoretical and practical skills with a relevant qualification.
For example, a “qualification” could be a degree or certification from an accredited university. It is optional to have a marketing or business degree. My degree in Political Science has always helped me gain clients as an independent consultant.
Clients value my experience, marketing skills, and performance.
Step 3: Get industry experience
Experience is crucial for becoming a successful consultant. You will also need to know how businesses work and their challenges.
A good consultant understands how marketing affects finance, sales, and accounting. It’s impossible to make recommendations and decisions in a vacuum.
This experience can be gained by working in a marketing position within an organization. You will gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses. Having spent 20 years in the industry, moving into a consultancy role (firm- or self-employed) is optional.
You could, for example, spend five years as a marketer in a small company. You could gain a broad business and marketing perspective in those five years. Your experience could be enough to start a marketing consulting firm for small-to-medium-sized companies.
You could start in a large organization and move from one role to another within the marketing department over ten years. You could gain enough experience to consult with large enterprises in those ten years.
Step 4: Create a personal brand
As a marketing strategist, you compete for clients with other firms and consultants. It is, therefore, essential to build your brand.
Personal branding can help you stand out from the competition and make you more visible.
Build your brand if you are considering starting a consultancy firm. !
You can build your brand in many ways. You could create your website or blog to share your marketing insights.
Step 5: Develop a niche
While strategic marketing consultants tend to be generalists, having a specific niche makes you more appealing to potential clients. Businesses are looking for consultants with specialist knowledge.
Consultants in strategic marketing could target specific industries, such as healthcare, technology, and retail.
You could also focus on B2B clients rather than B2C.
You can explore many different niches. It’s essential to choose a place. You can then expand your career by becoming a consultant.
Step 6 – Find clients
Finding clients is one of the most complicated tasks for a consultant. Consultants have many ways to find and generate new leads.
The following are some of the most efficient methods:
- Tapping into your network
- Create a website or blog that generates leads
- Leveraging social media platforms
- Attending events and conferences
- Writing articles or whitepapers
- Participating in online discussion forums
It takes time and energy to find new clients. It’s essential to continue your outreach and marketing efforts. These activities can help you grow your business, build your brand and find new clients.
Follow these steps to become a successful marketing strategist consultant.
Strategic marketing consultant education
Most marketing strategists have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, or a Related Field. Some consultants have an MBA or master’s.
Before becoming consultants, most consultants have extensive experience in marketing and the industry. The type of education and degree is less important than the experience and expertise.
Certifications of a Strategic Marketing Consultant
Certifications in marketing can help you to stand out and establish your brand. Which certifications to pursue depends on your goals, niche, and experience. Here are some examples of certificates to consider.
- The American Marketing Association awards certificates in Digital Marketing and Marketing Management.
- The International Institute of Market Research and Analytics offers certification in market research: Certified Market Research Analyst
- Cornell offers an online certificate in Marketing analytics. Cornell Marketing Analytics Certificate program
Marketing consultant with strategic skills
You will need the following skills to be a successful strategic marketing consultant:
- Strategic Thinking
- Analytical Skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving Skills
- Market research skills
- Writing skills
Demographics of a marketing strategist
According to Zippia, the average age for a marketing strategist is 38.8.
There are almost as many women consultants as there are men.
There are strategic marketing consultants located in every country. The majority are located in the United States.