When hiring marketing consultants in Falls Church VA and the surrounding NoVA area, here are 3 things you need to do to find the right fit for your organization.
1. Establish a budget and set goals.
Be sure to do this before speaking to the consultant, as this information will help them give you more accurate information on prices and services and make sure everyone is on the same page.
2. Do your research.
Look at the consultant’s website and past work, if applicable. You can also ask for references and see what others’ experience has been working with them.
3. Request proof points.
This gives the consultant an opportunity to show you past project results and/or metrics that prove that their efforts were successful.
Once, you’ve completed your research, there are still a few more things to consider before finalizing your consultant choice.
In-House Marketing Manager vs Independent Marketing Consultant
There are benefits to both options; but, it all depends on your business needs.
Hiring in-house benefits include having an employee close to the action. Your team member will also be immersed in your company’s culture and privy to internal issues and dynamics. However, you are saddled with the employee’s payroll and benefits costs, and reliant on their range of expertise and experience.
While their per hour cost might be higher than an employee, a marketing consultant typically specializes in an area that perhaps your internal team is not as familiar with. Their niche expertise can be a determining factor based on your needs (i.e. digital advertising, email marketing, or public relations) and can bring a larger breadth of talent to the table. They also have an outside view of the organization and may see things that an employee does not.
The Best Value May Not be the Best Price
Knowing your goals is going to help you in choosing the best option for your organization. What is the timeline, and how quickly do you want to achieve these goals? Choosing the right marketing consultant will help override any of the cons of working with outside marketing consultants.
While you can often hire a marketing consultant or possibly even an agency at a lower yearly cost than an in-house marketing manager, you need to be mindful of what you are paying for.
Your budget may ultimately determine your final hiring decision; but, that doesn’t mean you should opt for the cheapest rate. Looking at both options and interviewing candidates both for in-house and as independent consultants will allow you to cover all your bases. At the end of the day, you want someone with who you can work comfortably and confidently.
Let’s Discuss
Curious to learn more about what our team of marketing consultants in Falls Church VA, can do for your business? Give us a call today at 703-304-0465 or send us an email at info@arlingtonstrategy.com.