Question

Topic: Career/Training

...i Can Be A Small Biz Marketing Consultant...?!

Posted by Ed on 7/28/2008 at 2:49 AM ET 250 Points
Hello everyone, you all seem to be so helpful here so I thought I’d post…

I’ve been in Financial Services for over 10 years, but for the past two years I have written articles and created marketing publications and worked on other marketing projects, plus promoted and managed events for a small mortgage brokerage (in addition to being a loan officer with a real estate license there). I have also been writing the content on that website (team member bios, etc.) and have done a little database management as well… I also just recently helped another small start-up; helped write the contracts, wrote marketing copy, created the logo and powerpoint presentations and may work on sales scripts for the trainees next…

Anyway, I seem to have some talent in this, and I’d really like to work as a Marketing Consultant for other small businesses. However, I am still new in this particular field and know that there is a whole lot to learn as a “solo entrepreneur” Marketing Consultant (I really don’t want to be alone in this, either, but no one else seems to do this locally!)…?

…I am open to learning all I can in mktg/advertising/PR – how can I start to do this without spending a few years in college for the MBA?!! I'd like to network with others and sub-contract for printing, graphics, and other media – or at least have excellent resources like the group here at Marketing Profs, to help me succeed in helping other owners succeed in their businesses?!

I know this is a lot to ask, but again, I don't have local resources... so thanks to all in advance for help with any/all of these questions...!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 7/28/2008 at 7:07 AM Accepted
    Hi, Ed ... and welcome. You've come to the right place. You'll find the folks here to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable about small business marketing consulting. Many of us have been doing just that for years.

    Three things you might want to do to get yourself into the groove:

    1. Become a premium member here at MarketingProfs so you can go into the seminar archives and listen to a seminar series from last year on Small Business Marketing. It will give you a good sense of the kind of issues we face, what clients are asking, and how various approaches worked (from a client perspective).

    2. Get and read a copy of the book Rasputin For Hire. The sub-title is "An inside look at management consulting between jobs or as a second career." You'll find a lot of information in there about what it takes to be successful as a consultant, how to bill for your services, common client misconceptions, etc. It also has a panel discussion among experienced consultants about the advice they'd give a newcomer.

    3. Check out the Consultants Think Tank at 911 Marketing Help. Just click on the link and then go to the "Consultants Think Tank" logo at the bottom of the page. That's your private conference room for questions about managing your consulting practice, handling client problems, marketing your services, and actually solving client problems creatively. There's a charge for the service, but it's quite affordable and will provide the collaboration capability you seek.

    Hope these help. Good luck!
  • Posted on 7/28/2008 at 7:12 AM Accepted
    Hi Ed,

    I don't see that you mentioned where you're located. Will you please let me know?

    I am currently in Upstate NY, although will be in South FL in just a few weeks.

    You and I should talk. This just may be the beginning of a beautiful new relationship. ;)

    Lisa, Director
    Vertical Insight
    [Phone number and URL deleted by staff]
  • Posted by Levon on 7/28/2008 at 8:59 AM Accepted
    I think taking on a few clients for a reduced rate or even pro-bono to show off some of your consulting talents is key. This will help you build a folio, get you testimonials and eventually generate some referrals.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 7/28/2008 at 9:37 AM Accepted
    You could find a mentor in your community to help advise you on an ongoing basis.

    Rather than trying to learn "it all", identify specific areas that interest you and start learning (either classes, books, seminars, articles, or trial-and-error). Once you've learned a bit, then apply it to a real problem. There's nothing like learning in the real world to see what works for you.
  • Posted by Ed on 7/28/2008 at 3:15 PM Author
    …I appreciate the advice, further learning resources and networking so far; thanks to all of you! I wanted to answer the questions and give a little more information on where I am (both professionally and literally), for further input…

    I have been working for [deleted at Asker's request] in Apple Valley, CA for two years. I am originally a Mortgage Planner who marketed for myself in the past (however, needless to say, the housing market has gotten tough!). Because of my focus on marketing, I have earned the opportunity to handle the overall marketing for this brokerage in all areas (plus, I am a resource for all of the other employees here, and their realtor partners). Since the owners value my ideas and work, it has helped them to have someone reliable to market and promote the company, support our team and handle the events (yeah, working pro bono or in most cases, free, since it wasn’t originally my job description to begin with). Now I have a need to get "out there" with this and be more “official” with written agreements, marketing research and plans to follow/track better for more tangeable results. The owners will pay me on an independent contractor basis for projects, so I need a business name, etc.

    It seems there may be other opportunities in the future as well, to market other small businesses... I do need to build a portfolio of my work and it would be great to learn how do that, too…

    I also think that finding a mentor or business partner would be very worthwhile (there really doesn’t seem to be anyone locally who does what I want to do…?).

    As far as writing copy/content goes, please feel free to visit the company website (I added it in my profile). I work with that site and wrote the Team Member Bios (*I didn’t write my own bio, though, and its focus is only on me as a loan originator). All the rest are primarily templates; nothing special - I just tweak the content here and there). It's easy to work with since I am not really a web builder...

    I have done other types of literature and more as mentioned above and have also recently worked on a project for our B2B Corporate Benefits program. This offers our services along with a network of local business partners to small, medium and large company employees at no cost to the employer. Local business partners included in the service benefits are realtors, appraisers, insurance agents, financial planners, then any other non-real estate related partners - it's virtually endless (kinda like this post!). There is a website to implement for each company/employer as well as newsletters, etc. (a business partner provides and services the actual websites, some of the newsletter content and other marketing materials).

    ...So, that’s the main company that I have worked for and, though there has been small monetary return for me, I’ve enjoyed the real-world experience and want to do more now. I like it and see this as a real need as well as a potentially lucrative problem-solving business opportunity where my efforts can benefit small biz owners.

    Sorry so long of a post!
  • Posted on 7/28/2008 at 3:29 PM Member
    Hi Ed,

    Would you like to take a phone or online meeting with me in a couple of weeks? Unfortunately I am preparing to move, so I am unavailable for a little bit.

    Let me know. Shoot me an e-mail at [email address deleted by staff]. Have a great one!
  • Posted by Ed on 8/1/2008 at 5:01 PM Author
    Thanks to all who helped me here... It's good to know that there is a forum such as this to gain additional insight, advice and resources from experienced, knowledgeable people.

    Ed
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