What Is Marketing Consultancy
Marketing consultancy companies are specialist marketing agencies that will act as your marketing department.
For many businesses, having a marketing department is an expensive thing, as it will consist of someone to handle your website, your brochures, your mailings, your PR, any exhibitions you may attend and someone to manage all these roles. This can add up to 4-5 people plus a marketing manager. Combining salaries, bonuses, sickness, holidays the costs can run into hundreds of thousands - this is without added costs of the marketing itself.
In order to bring these costs down, many companies will bring on a marketing consultancy agency for a fraction of the cost. The agency can then handle all elements of your marketing from looking after and updating your website to planning and organising your exhibition attendance.
The main advantage would be the cost saving (which in the above example could be well over £100,000) that you would face, but also an agency that is able to take control of your marketing from start to finish.
Control Of Your Marketing Budget
A marketing consultancy agency will take control of your marketing budget and allocate it as you require (whether this be focused on events one year, web advertising, PR etc.) while looking for cost savings as well.
They would not actually do the marketing themselves (this would be classed as a full service agency) but would manage your marketing and take responsibility for it running smoothly.
One of the primary things a marketing consultancy firm will do is to look at areas they can save you money on. This could be putting your web design out to tender, or finding a cheaper printer for example.
Marketing Consultants In The UK
Around the UK there are a large number of marketing consultancy agencies many handling the marketing for a number of clients. Many of these marketing consultants have a broad mix of experience; however it is advised to work with one that does have some background of your industry. This would make them well placed to understanding your products/service and also the market you are targeting.
Marketing consultancies come in different shapes and sizes. Some are freelancers; ex marketeers that have decided to go it along, others are large markeiing agencies that are well established.
Compare Marketing Consultancy Prices
As there are quite a few marketing consultancy firms in the UK, it is advised to shop around and get quotes. All marketing companies charge differently for their services, so it is advised to get 2-3 quotes from agencies that are of interest. The next step would then be to shortlist 2-3 agencies you like the look of and then meet with them. Meeting the agencies will give you a feel for the agencies culture, their experience of your service and their competence in handling your marketing budget.