How to Hire the Right Marketing Expert for Your Business
Hiring the right marketing expert can make or break your business’s growth, no matter what stage you’re at. Whether you’re a startup looking to establish your presence or an established business aiming to scale, marketing expertise is essential for reaching your goals. But how do you know who to hire, and when? Should you bring someone on full-time or work with a consultant?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find and hire the right marketing expert for your business at every stage. We’ll break down the differences between full-time hires and consultants, the benefits of each, and how to make the best decision for your unique needs.
Understanding Your Needs: When and Why to Hire Marketing Help
Before diving into the hiring process, it’s essential to assess where your business stands and what you need from a marketing expert.
Key Indicators You Need Marketing Support:
Time Constraints: You or your team lack the time to consistently execute marketing campaigns.
Skill Gaps: Your team doesn’t have the expertise needed to manage specific areas like SEO, email marketing, or paid ads.
Growth Stalls: You’re not seeing the results you need from your current efforts.
Expansion Plans: You’re launching new products or entering new markets and need guidance to succeed.
Understanding these pain points will help you determine the type of marketing expert that fits your needs.
Full-Time Marketing Hires vs. Consultants: What’s the Difference?
Full-Time Marketing Hires
A full-time hire is a long-term investment in your business. These professionals become deeply embedded in your brand and operations, giving you dedicated, consistent support.
Benefits of Full-Time Hires:
Deep Brand Knowledge: Full-time employees develop a thorough understanding of your business, voice, and goals.
Collaboration: They work alongside your team daily, fostering seamless collaboration.
Ownership: Full-time marketers are invested in your long-term success and can take charge of ongoing initiatives.
When to Hire Full-Time:
You need consistent, day-to-day marketing support.
Your budget allows for the salary and benefits of a full-time employee.
You’re looking for someone to take ownership of long-term strategies.
Challenges with Full-Time Hires:
The hiring process can be time-consuming and costly.
If your needs change, reallocating their role can be difficult.
Marketing Consultants
A consultant offers specialized expertise for a set period, project, or campaign. They can help businesses of all sizes but are especially valuable for small to medium-sized companies looking for flexibility.
Benefits of Consultants:
Flexibility: Hire them for specific projects or short-term needs.
Specialized Expertise: Consultants bring in-depth knowledge of particular areas, such as content strategy, paid media, or lifecycle marketing.
Cost-Effective: You’re not responsible for salaries, benefits, or overhead costs.
When to Work with a Consultant:
You need help with a specific marketing campaign or initiative.
You’re exploring a new marketing channel and want guidance from an expert.
You’re unsure about committing to a full-time hire but need expertise to move forward.
Challenges with Consultants:
They may not have the same level of day-to-day involvement or brand familiarity as full-time employees.
Their time is often split among multiple clients, so they may not be as immediately accessible.
How to Find the Right Marketing Expert
1. Define Your Goals
Before you start searching, clarify your business’s goals and marketing needs. Are you looking to grow brand awareness, increase leads, or optimize conversions? These answers will guide the type of expertise you need.
2. Determine Your Budget
Be realistic about what you can afford. A full-time marketing hire will require a larger investment, while a consultant offers more flexibility within smaller budgets.
3. Identify Key Skills and Experience
Look for marketing professionals with experience in areas that align with your goals. For example:
If you need a robust email strategy, find someone with expertise in lifecycle marketing.
For paid media campaigns, focus on candidates with proven results in PPC or social media ads.
4. Tap Into Networks and Platforms
Full-Time Hires: Use job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, or specialized marketing platforms such as We Are Rosie.
Consultants: Look for referrals, browse freelancer platforms like Upwork, or work with niche marketing consultants (like Newly Marketing).
5. Ask the Right Questions
During interviews, focus on experience and fit:
Can they share specific results from previous roles or projects?
How do they approach marketing strategy for a business like yours?
Are they comfortable working with your team and adapting to your brand voice?
Best Practices for a Successful Marketing Partnership
No matter whether you bring in someone full-time or choose to work with a consultant, making sure you follow these best practices will enable long-term success.
Set Clear Expectations: Outline roles, deliverables, and timelines upfront.
Prioritize Communication: Regular check-ins ensure alignment and address issues quickly.
Measure Success: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and adjust as needed.
Stay Flexible: Your needs may evolve, so choose someone who can adapt alongside your business.
FAQs About Hiring Marketing Experts
1. How much should I budget for a marketing hire?
For full-time hires, expect to pay competitive salaries based on experience and expertise.
Consultants often charge hourly rates or project-based fees, which can vary widely depending on their specialization or experience level.
2. What’s the difference between hiring a freelancer and a consultant?
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, freelancers often focus on execution (e.g., creating content or managing ads), while consultants bring a strategic, high-level perspective to guide your overall marketing efforts.
3. Can one person handle all my marketing needs?
For small businesses, a single marketer with broad expertise may suffice. However, as your business grows, you’ll likely need specialists in areas like email marketing, SEO, analytics, or content creation.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Hiring the right marketing expert is an investment in your business’s success. Whether you choose a full-time hire for consistent, day-to-day support or a consultant for specialized, flexible expertise, finding the right fit comes down to understanding your needs and goals.
If you’re looking for expert marketing guidance without the commitment of a full-time hire, Newly Marketing can help. From developing strategic plans to executing high-impact campaigns, we provide expert digital marketing solutions to help your business thrive. Let’s work together—reach out today to learn more!
About the Author
Lily Newman is the Founder & Principal of Newly Marketing, a digital marketing consultancy specializing in lifecycle and retention marketing for DTC, E-Commerce, Retail, and CPG brands. From integrated marketing strategy to campaign production, email marketing operations to performance measurement, we offer the expertise and leadership your business needs to build a world-class digital marketing program.
