How to Start an Online Marketing Consulting Company

How to Start an Online Marketing Consulting Company

Discover how to start a marketing consulting company that transforms your passion for strategy into a thriving business while helping others succeed!


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In a world where businesses strive to stand out, your unique insights and marketing expertise can make all the difference. Have you ever dreamt of transforming your strategic thinking into a thriving consulting business? The time is ripe for visionary marketers who can guide brands toward success.

All you need is the knowledge and tools to start a marketing consulting company all of your own. Wake up every day fueled by your passion, collaborating with diverse clients, and watching your ideas come to life as they drive real results.

With the freedom to choose your clients and set your own schedule, the path to building a fulfilling career is within your grasp.

In this blog post, we'll explore the essential steps to turn your marketing acumen into a rewarding consulting venture. Ready to take the leap?

Understanding The Marketing Consulting Business

Marketing consulting is a professional service that helps businesses develop and use effective marketing strategies. 

As a marketing consultant, you will analyze a company's current marketing efforts, identify areas for improvement, and create strategic plans to achieve their business goals.

Key Roles and Responsibilities of a Marketing Consultant

  1. Market Research and Analysis: Understanding the market landscape, identifying target audiences, and analyzing competitors.
  2. Strategy Development: Creating comprehensive marketing plans that align with the business’s objectives.
  3. Brand Management: Enhancing brand visibility and reputation through various marketing channels.
  4. Digital Marketing: Using online platforms like social media, SEO, and email marketing to reach potential customers.
  5. Campaign Management: Planning, executing, and monitoring marketing campaigns to ensure they meet desired outcomes.
  6. Performance Measurement: Tracking the effectiveness of marketing efforts and making data-driven adjustments.
  7. Client Communication: Maintaining strong relationships with clients, providing regular updates, and advising on marketing best practices.

As you can see, starting a marketing consulting company requires a broad skillset from great interpersonal skills to sharp analytics acumen. It's no wonder that being a marketing consultant can earn you the big bucks.

Potential Earnings To Expect When Starting a Marketing Consulting Company

Marketing consulting can be a highly lucrative field. According to Glassdoor, marketing consultants in the US can earn anywhere from $99K – $184K annually. Entry-level consultants typically start at the lower end of this range, while experienced consultants with a robust client base can command much higher fees.

Factors That Can Influence Your Earnings When Starting a Marketing Consulting Company

Several factors can influence your earnings as a marketing consultant:

  1. Niche: Specializing in a particular industry or type of marketing can set you apart and allow you to charge premium rates. For instance, consultants focusing on digital marketing or specific sectors like healthcare or technology often earn more due to the specialized knowledge required.
  2. Experience: As with many professions, experience plays a significant role in determining your earning potential. Experienced consultants with a proven track record can command higher fees than those just starting out.
  3. Client Base: Building a strong, diverse client base can significantly boost your earnings. Long-term contracts with reputable clients can provide steady income and reduce the time spent on acquiring new clients.
  4. Geographical Location: Consultants in metropolitan areas or regions with a high concentration of businesses may find more opportunities and higher-paying clients than those in less populated areas. Online consultants can make more due to lack of geographical estrictions.
  5. Reputation and Brand: Developing a strong personal brand and reputation can attract high-paying clients. Positive testimonials, case studies, and word-of-mouth referrals can greatly enhance your earning potential.

Armed with this knowledge, you can strategically position your consulting business to maximize your income and achieve long-term success.

Steps To Starting Your Marketing Consulting Business

Step 1: Find Your Niche

In the crowded market of marketing consulting, specializing in a specific niche can be your key to standing out and achieving success. By focusing on a particular area, you can:

  1. Build Expertise: Specializing allows you to develop deep knowledge and skills in a specific field, making you an expert and go-to resource for clients.
  2. Differentiate Yourself: As we've already explored, a niche differentiates you from generalist consultants, helping you attract clients who need specialized services.
  3. Targeted Marketing: Specialization enables you to market your services more effectively to a specific audience, increasing your chances of attracting the right clients.
  4. Higher Fees: Clients are often willing to pay more for consultants with specialized expertise that meets their unique needs.

Examples of Lucrative Niches within Marketing Consulting

  1. Content Marketing: Helping businesses create and distribute valuable content to attract and engage their target audience.
  2. Affiliate Marketing: Helping clients set up an affiliate program and developing partnerships with affiliates to promote products and services.
  3. Brand Strategy: Focusing on brand development, identity, and positioning to help businesses establish and maintain a strong brand presence.
  4. Healthcare Marketing: Assisting healthcare providers in navigating the complexities of marketing in the healthcare industry, including regulatory compliance and patient engagement.
  5. Tech and SaaS Marketing: Specializing in marketing for tech companies and software-as-a-service (SaaS) businesses, which often require unique strategies to reach their target audiences.

By finding and focusing on a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise, you can carve out a successful and rewarding career in marketing consulting.

Step 2: Choose Your Pricing Model

Choosing the right pricing model is essential for the growth of your marketing consulting business. It shapes how you get paid and how your clients perceive the value of your services. Here are some pricing strategies to consider:

  1. Hourly Rates: Charging by the hour is straightforward and ensures you get paid for every hour you work. This model is ideal for projects with uncertain scopes, but it requires a lot of admin and it may not always reflect the value you provide.
  2. Project Fees: Fixed project fees involve charging a set amount for the entire project. This model is beneficial for both you and your clients as it provides clear expectations and avoids hourly billing disputes. However, it requires accurate estimation of time and resources.
  3. Retainer Fees: Retainers involve clients paying a regular, agreed-upon fee for a set number of hours or services each month. This model provides steady income and fosters long-term client relationships.
  4. Subscription Model: A subscription model can offer a stable and predictable revenue stream. By offering ongoing consulting services for a monthly or annual fee, you can ensure consistent cash flow and build lasting client relationships.

    This model works well for clients who need continuous support and strategy adjustments.

    You can use a subscription model in conjunction with other pricing models for ongoing services.

If you opt to offer subscriptions for your services, a tool like MemberMouse is a great option.

MemberMouse is a powerful membership management solution that allows you to automate billing, manage subscriptions, and provide exclusive content to your clients right on you WordPress website.

We'll take a closer look at how you can make the most of MemberMouse in the following sections

Step 3: Define Your Offerings

Now it's time to choose and map out what services you want to provide. At this stage, it's important to factor in how you plan to handle the administration of these services to avoid a lot of complications in the future.

Set Up One-Off Products

Offer flat rate, one-time services that address immediate needs. Offering these one-off products can help you attract a diverse client base and provide tailored solutions. Here are some examples:

  • Online 1:1 Consultation Services
  • Marketing Audits
  • Social Media Strategy Sessions
  • Email Campaign Setup
  • Content Strategy Development

These one-off products allow you to meet specific client needs and can complement your subscription services by providing flexibility and immediate value.

MemberMouse makes it easy to offer one-time payment options for your consulting services. Streamline the payment process, and make it convenient for clients while ensuring you get paid right away for your expertise.

Create Tiered Subscription Services

Set up tiered subscription options that cater to different client needs and budgets. This approach allows you to offer varying levels of service, making it easier to attract a wider audience while providing more value to clients who choose higher tiers. Here are some examples:

  • Basic Plan: Include essential consulting services such as monthly check-ins, access to resources, and basic reporting.
  • Premium Plan: Offer additional benefits like personalized strategy sessions, detailed performance analysis, and access to exclusive content or tools.
  • Exclusive Access Plan: Provide top-tier clients with the most comprehensive services, including priority support, customized marketing plans, and in-depth analytics.

These subscription services create a steady income stream and foster long-term relationships with clients.

With MemberMouse, you can manage billing and automate renewals, making it easy for clients to maintain their subscriptions and for you to focus on delivering results.

By providing these structured subscription options, you enhance client loyalty and ensure ongoing support for their marketing needs.

Maximize Earnings Through Upselling and Cross-Selling

Encourage clients to customize their plans by offering the option to mix and match services from different subscription tiers. Members on lower tiers may desire specific elements from higher tiers, allowing them to tailor their experience to better suit their needs. For example:

  • Add-On Strategy Sessions: A client on the Basic Plan can purchase additional one-on-one strategy sessions from the Premium Plan to gain deeper insights into their marketing efforts.
  • Enhanced Reporting Tools: Clients may opt to access advanced analytics and reporting tools available in the Exclusive Access Plan for a more comprehensive understanding of their campaign performance.
  • Specialized Content Resources: Members could benefit from purchasing exclusive training materials or templates that are part of the Premium or Exclusive Access Plans.

This flexibility not only enhances client satisfaction by providing exactly what they want but also maximizes your earnings potential.

By offering tailored options, you create opportunities for upselling and ensure that your clients feel supported and valued at every level of engagement.

With MemberMouse, you can optimize your upselling and cross-selling strategy by enabling clients to pay for additional services in one click!

Step 4: Make Your Business Manageable and Scalable

Now that you’ve defined your offerings, it's time to think about how to keep things running smoothly while also preparing for growth.

With tools like MemberMouse, you can create a system that makes your marketing consulting business manageable and scalable. Here's how:

Create a Dedicated Client Portal

With MemberMouse, you can give your clients easy access to exclusive content, resources, and training materials all in one place – a personalized client portal.

This makes it super easy for clients to engage with your services and find the tools they need to succeed, which keeps them coming back for more.

Consider Passive Income Opportunities

To make your consulting business more sustainable and scalable, think about ways to create passive income. Here are a couple of ideas:

Marketing Materials and Templates: You could offer downloadable resources such as social media calendars, email templates, and campaign planning sheets as a subscription service.

This can empower clients to implement strategies effectively on their own reducing the time you spend on repetitive tasks and enhancing the value you deliver.

Online Courses: Developing reusable online courses allows clients to learn at their own pace, applying your strategies without needing constant hands-on guidance. This not only generates passive income but also positions you as a go-to resource for clients wanting to expand their skills.

Use Courses for MemberMouse to easily create courses on your WordPress site.

Courses for MemberMouse image

Maximize MemberMouse’s Automation Features

Take advantage of MemberMouse's automation capabilities to streamline your business processes. For example:

  • Automate Billing and Renewals: Set up automatic billing for subscription services, so clients never miss a payment, and you don't have to chase invoices.
  • Drip Content Strategy: Create a drip content strategy that releases new materials or courses to clients over time. This keeps them engaged and ensures a steady flow of valuable content without overwhelming them all at once.

By leveraging these strategies and tools, you can ensure that your marketing consulting business runs smoothly, remains adaptable, and continues to grow without requiring constant hands-on effort.

Step 6: Market Your Marketing Consulting Business!

Do What You Do Best: MARKET!

As a marketing consultant, your greatest asset is your ability to market effectively. To attract clients and grow your business, you need to apply the same strategies you recommend to your clients. 

By leveraging your marketing skills and continuously promoting your business, you can build a strong client base and achieve sustained growth. Remember, the key to successful marketing is consistency, creativity, and a deep understanding of your target audience.

Real-World Example: Coffee & Contracts

 How to Start a Marketing Consulting Company Successfully - Case study

A great example of a marketing company that uses the subscription model is Coffee & Contracts. This MemberMouse client provides marketing templates specifically designed for real estate professionals.

By selling these templates, Coffee & Contracts offers valuable resources to their clients while generating a steady stream of passive income.

This approach brings in additional revenue and adds significant value to their clients, enhancing their overall service.

This is a great example of how MemberMouse can help you manage these offerings efficiently, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional value to your clients.

Wrapping Up!

In this blog we've covered all you need to know to start your own online marketing consulting company.

  • First, understand the landscape you'll be operating in, and use this information to differentiate your product and set a fair price for your services.
  • Pick a pricing model that will enable you to run a sustainable and scalable business. We recommend a combination of one-off and ongoing subscription services.
  • Consider how you can optimize your time and maximize value for your clients with reusable resources such as marketing templates and courses.

Starting a marketing consulting business requires determination, strategic planning, and the right tools. This is why you should not do it without MemberMouse. 

MemberMouse is an invaluable support for managing your business, offering features that streamline your operations and allow you to focus on delivering exceptional value to your clients. Take the leap with this tool and see how it can enhance your consulting business.

Are you planning to venture into marketing consultancy or are you already in the industry? Leave a question or advice in the comment section below. If you are already looking to scale your business, share your success story in the comments, you might just inspire someone.

Want tips, ideas, and insights to help you build and scale your online business? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. And to make sure you never miss a beat, subscribe to our newsletter below!

Want tips, ideas, and insights to help you build and scale your online business? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. And to make sure you never miss a beat, subscribe to our newsletter below!


Sarah Olaleye

Sarah is passionate about simplifying the technical nitty-grittys of websites, plugins, and digital marketing. As a content writer at MemberMouse, she has a keen eye for crafting engaging and informative content. Sarah plays a crucial role in educating and empowering users on the full potential of MemberMouse plugins. Bringing a blend of technical knowledge and creative flair, she ensures that each piece of content not only informs but also inspires. When not writing, she enjoys exploring the latest trends in technology and digital marketing, always seeking new ways to enhance the user experience.

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