A digital marketing expert specializes in creating advertisements and promotions specifically designed for digital platforms. They typically have a strong understanding of marketing principles along with technical skills. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in marketing and enjoy working with digital platforms like social media, becoming a digital marketing expert might be a great fit for you.
In this article, Decoders Digital will explore the various aspects of being a digital marketing consultant, including common job responsibilities, required education and training, and average salary expectations.
We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday’s burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.
Robert Calibo
What is Digital Marketing Consultant
Digital marketing consultants identify the most effective ways to promote or advertise a company’s products or services using various digital technologies. They develop tailored digital marketing strategies, recommend improvements to existing ones, and highlight opportunities to enhance customer engagement.
Digital Marketing Consultant Services and Responsibilities
Here are some key responsibilities of a digital marketing consultant:
- Identifying the most effective business model for new companies.
- Designing tailored digital marketing strategies based on the client’s business model.
- Analyzing the customer base of brands to determine the best social media channels for customer engagement.
- Calculating a client’s return on ad spend (ROAS) and comparing it to industry benchmarks.
- Evaluating marketing budgets and distributing funds across various marketing needs.
- Assisting clients in launching new apps and websites.
- Reviewing current digital marketing strategies and recommending improvements.
- Conducting SEO audits to identify issues affecting clients’ search engine performance.
- Finding new opportunities to increase customer engagement.
Digital Marketing Consultant Requirements
Key qualifications for a digital marketing consultant include:
- A bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, or a related field.
- Google Analytics and AdWords certifications are highly valuable.
- Proven experience and a successful track record as a digital marketing consultant.
- A strong understanding of lead generation tools, social media platforms, and SEO best practices.
- The ability to analyze large sets of data effectively.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent time management and organizational abilities.
- Proficiency in project management.
- Effective communication skills.
- Exceptional customer service skills.
When to Hire a Digital Marketing Consultant
Deciding whether to hire an external consultant for your marketing needs often comes after reaching a certain business threshold or hitting a growth ceiling. New businesses can particularly benefit from an advisor who can help define a clear vision, establish long-term goals, and create both a long-term marketing strategy and a short-term digital advertising launch plan.
For businesses looking to enhance their website performance, hiring an online marketing consultant can also be a smart choice. They can assist in crafting an effective digital marketing strategy, ensuring that the plan leads to better outcomes both in the short and long term.
Key components of a well-executed plan could include:
- Defining success metrics and determining the best ways to monitor and track progress toward achieving business goals.
- Focusing on building stronger relationships with existing customers and minimizing the risk of losing them.
- Optimizing conversion rates and implementing growth-hacking techniques to foster business expansion.
If your goal is to enter new markets and acquire new customers, a reputable consultant with relevant expertise can help you devise an efficient strategy to penetrate those markets. They’ll consider competition and your company’s ability to set and meet goals.
Hiring an experienced advertising professional or agency to guide your campaigns is a wise move, but finding the right fit can be challenging. With so many self-proclaimed experts or even recommended online consultants and agencies, it can be hard to distinguish who’s reliable and best suited for your business.
Choosing the right online marketing consultant has become a significant challenge.
If your company previously worked with a smaller digital strategist, a larger B2B marketing service, or an agency, you may still have concerns about whether they can deliver on their promises. While it’s the consultant or agency’s responsibility to execute your online strategy, the ultimate accountability rests with you. You should be actively managing and overseeing their work to ensure the success of your marketing efforts.
Impact of Digital Marketing Consulting Services on Small Businesses
Digital Marketing Consulting Offers Cost-Effective Solutions
Digital marketing consultants provide cost-effective solutions for small businesses by eliminating the need for an in-house marketing team. They offer expert guidance, support, and strategic direction at a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time staff or agencies.
Targeted Marketing Strategies
Digital marketing consultants specialize in creating customized strategies that generate qualified leads and conversions, ensuring that marketing efforts effectively reach their intended audience. This optimization of results helps increase return on investment.
Industry Insights and Trends
Digital marketing consultants stay current with industry trends, tools, and algorithms, providing invaluable advice to help small businesses stay competitive. Their expertise enables businesses to adapt quickly to the constantly changing digital landscape.
Digital Marketing Consultant Salary
In the U.S., the average salary for a digital marketer is $61,235 per year. Digital marketers who are highly skilled or work in certain regions can earn more. For example, digital marketers in Denver have an average salary of $65,968 annually, while those in New York City earn an average of $69,768 per year. Additionally, digital marketers often receive employment benefits such as paid time off and health insurance.
Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide specific data for digital marketers, it does offer information on advertising, promotions, and marketing directors, which typically involve similar responsibilities. According to the BLS, the number of workers in these roles is expected to grow by 10% from 2020 to 2030. This growth is likely driven by the increasing focus on marketing efforts and the rise of more innovative marketing campaigns, as well as the continued advancements in digital media that make digital marketing more attractive.
Key Learnings
Being a digital marketer is a fantastic career choice. It offers the freedom to be your own boss, work from home, and earn a high income.
To become a successful marketing consultant, however, you need more than just digital marketing knowledge. A comprehensive understanding of all areas of digital marketing, along with years of experience in the field, is essential.
To earn more as a consultant than you would as an in-house expert or part of an organization, you must showcase your expertise through a strong portfolio of successful case studies. This is the key to attracting high-budget clients who are willing to engage your services and invest in your expertise.