Fresh cooked and served hot weekly since June 2006, Marketing Transformations Network News reports on on how to handle marketing and generate power PR to readers throughout the U.S. and in many foreign countries. Thanks to my marketing students for inspiring today’s article.

How to Hire a Small Business Client Attractor

[AKA Entrepreneurial Marketing Consultant]

Engage a Professional Small Business Marketing Consultant

To request permission to reproduce or republish this article, contact connect AT corywestmedia DOT com.

Many business owners are do-it-yourselfers. After all, you save money when you do things on your own, right? So what if it takes three times longer and you make a few mistakes on the way? When it comes to DIY marketing, the margin error can be big enough to cost you not only your clients, but your reputation. But, hiring a marketing consultant doesn’t have to be cost-prohibitive. Hiring the right marketing consultant as a long-term business partner can actually save you bundles and draw in crowds of customers. In this article, you’ll find out how to hire a Client Attractor [AKA Marketing Consultant.]

How well do you know marketing?

If you’re a small business owner, work at home entrepreneur or organization of any kind, you need to know how to attract clients – across a range of marketing channels. An integrated marketing plan is the best way to meet your marketing and sales goals. Writing up a plan is like making a to-do list with price tags. Actually executing the plan is painful for most people. Why? Details, testing, tracking, measuring, refinement, repetition all come before you can determine what spells marketing success.

And, so many variables – like personalized direct marketing – complicate every single project. Distraction comes in many forms that tempt you to spend more or go after markets that don’t fit your niche. Then there’s the time crunch factor. How can you work on your business if you’re working in it?

If your head is spinning from analyzing marketing options, your budget is draining and your free time is only for putting out fires, then you need someone to help you make sense of the marketing maze. You know your business better than anyone. So, while you need to be part of the planning, you don’t have to make the moves.

How to find your ideal marketing consultant

1. Look for someone whose experience matches your needs. Want to build your presence online? Google their clients and check out their track record.

2. Outline exactly what you expect and then be open to suggestions. New marketing is all about being direct on and offline.

3. Find out how they will integrate your customer’s voice into your communications.

4. Choose a partner who has the scope and depth to manage all of your projects .Do they too much of one thing or not enough of any? Optimally, your marketing consulting will be managing all of your creative projects.

5. Call their clients for referrals and ask about their relationship. Find out what they’re really like to work with and don’t be afraid to ask why relationships ended.

6. Ask for a budget range and choose the zone where you feel comfortable.

7. Know what you want to grow. Focus on generating referrals and additional sales from your existing client base before you decide to sink everything into attracting prospects.

8. Make sure you retain rights to all creative work, including images, and that you have passwords and files for every project.

9. Ask them to maintain a creative archive for your reference. Over the years, you’ll be surprised how many times you’ll rely on them for images, articles and reprints of projects.

10. Partner with a firm that fits and feels good. A small business may not feel comfortable partnering with the largest marketing consulting firm in the area. And, if their values don’t match yours, the relationship won’t work. Go with your gut.

About the author . . .

An in-demand publicist, professional speaker and marketing communications consultant since 1990, Barbara Rozgonyi is grounded, edgy and prophetic. “Panoramic PR,” Barbara’s latest project, compresses everything she knows into an affordable, manageable course that teaches small business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, experts, coaches and anyone else who wants more free publicity how to get completely covered by being fully exposed. Claim a free report and get automatic articles like this one at http://www.powerprsecrets.com.

All site content copyright Barbara Rozgonyi, CoryWest Media 2005-2007

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