Marketing tells a compelling story about products and services through words, images, films and brand positioning. Marketing consultants are industry specialists who, after years of experience in this field, are now able to sell their knowledge on an hourly or project-based basis. Business owners, large or small, often hire them under contract to review their strategies. After working successfully in marketing for years, you may want to try the consulting route thanks to the variety it offers. In fact, you can collaborate simultaneously with different types of industries. This article will tell you how to become one.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Become a Marketing Expert
Step 1. Get a bachelor's or master's degree in marketing or economics
This type of training will allow you to have the appropriate knowledge to look for work in a competitive market. To make your resume even more compelling, take a course in graphic design, creative writing, or journalism.
Step 2. Create a portfolio while still attending college
By the time of graduation, you should have a digital and print portfolio that demonstrates that you can promote a product and convey a compelling message. If possible, include articles, graphic design projects, product descriptions, and marketing strategies.
Most businesses will ask you to provide samples of articles and / or marketing projects at the time of the interview. Publish the portfolio on a blog or on a cheap hosting site. Make sure it looks professional and is easy to navigate. This will give you a competitive edge over candidates who attach paper documents to their applications
Step 3. Specialize in an area that interests you particularly
Marketing is quite a broad field as it branches out into internet marketing, print media, television, radio, graphic design, copywriting, sales and so on. You should study all of these areas, but take extra courses on the most innovative topics.
Marketing ideas are often fads. It is important to leave the university aware of the most innovative techniques in the sector. After finding a job, you can learn new strategies in the field and through personal research
Step 4. Apply for entry-level marketing jobs
It may be necessary to focus on the professions offered in the larger cities, because this is where most of the companies gather. Pay particular attention to jobs that offer training and refresher courses.
Make sure all resumes and cover letters you send out are professional and reflect the specific skills required by a job posting. There are no universal curricula within the current job market
Step 5. Develop a career within the marketing industry over the course of approximately seven years or more
Many sites recommend not trying to enter the field of counseling before ten years have passed. You should look for promotions and jobs that give you better pay and opportunities, because you need to be a marketing expert to become a successful consultant.
Method 2 of 2: Start a Marketing Consulting Business
Step 1. Continue to do the job you currently have as you take your first steps in counseling
Being a full-time consultant doesn't mean being successful from the start. Make all the necessary business plans, find part-time contracts and move slowly in the creation of your business.
Step 2. You could create your own consulting business
You have to make decisions about how much time to spend in this profession. Choose one of the following options:
- You can become a consultant so that you can spend more time at home or work from there. In this case, you probably don't want to apply for a profession that absorbs you 40 hours a week. You may decide to use your own name and own it, and opt for temporal projects.
- You can build your own business. Create a name, a trademark and a competitive marketing strategy. In this situation, you could rent an office and hire staff. You should make a business plan before setting out on your own.
Step 3. Obtain all necessary licenses required by law for the place where you live
You may get special qualifications at a marketing organization to prove to clients that your work is legitimate.
Step 4. Spend money and time on the project
If you can sell your company and your brand, the buyer trusts you and your brand. Create a trademark, a motto, a visual symbolism and an advertising campaign that appeals to your chosen demographic.
Step 5. Determine a reasonable hourly rate
Take a look at those of other consultants in the same field, and then do a cost analysis, adding your experience. Also, remember that it should be slightly higher than what you are currently earning for now.
Step 6. Learn to manage
You may have already been promoted to take a management position in a company, which is an advantage. You need to be able to effectively manage the workforce of the company they hire you in and your staff if you have employees.
Step 7. Prepare for an eventful lifestyle
If you've worked in the competitive marketing industry, you probably already know how to cope with stress and deadlines. Unless you have occasional contracts, this will not change, in fact, the tension could be even greater, because you will have the weight of your company on your shoulders.
Step 8. Network constantly
You need to be ready to step up with business leaders in your community. You need to consistently sell your service using yourself and your brand.
