Hiring a Consultant? Here’s What to Know Before You Spend a Dime.
Hiring a marketing agency sounds like the dream, right? Hand over your ideas, sit back, sip your coffee, and watch the sales roll in. (Cue giggle.)
Let’s get real. Marketing support can absolutely help your business grow — but it’s not a magic pill, and you’re still part of the equation. Whether you're hiring a full-blown agency or a solo consultant, here’s what you actually need to know before diving in.
1. Marketing ≠ PR (and vice versa)
One of the most common mix-ups: assuming your marketing team will get you in Vogue. Nope. Most digital marketing agencies don't do PR — that's a whole separate specialty.
If you’re looking for someone to write press releases, pitch to media outlets, or land you interviews, you’ll likely need a PR agency or publicist. That said, good marketing agencies often know people and can point you in the right direction when it’s time to get your biz in front of the press.
2. You’re Part of the Strategy (Like It or Not)
Even if you’re hiring experts, they still need your insights. You know your biz, your customer quirks, and your best-selling churro flavors (or whatever your magic is). Marketing teams aren’t mind readers.
Expect to answer questions like:
What makes your business different?
Who’s your ideal customer?
What do you actually want to promote?
If you don’t know yet, that’s okay — but research and brand development usually cost extra. Not because your agency is greedy, but because doing it right takes time and strategy.
3. Marketing is a Process, Not a Magic Wand
We’ve all seen the ads:
“Grow your biz to 7-figures in 30 days using my foolproof formula!”
Hard pass.
Real marketing is part creativity, part testing, and part trial-and-error. It takes time to understand your audience, adjust messaging, test content, and tweak it all again. Yes, a good agency or consultant will accelerate your growth — but anyone promising “overnight success” is probably just really good at marketing… themselves.
4. Stop Trying to Do It All Yourself
We get it. You’re resourceful. You DIYed your POS system, you built your first website on a whim, and you’ve posted on Instagram every day since 2019. That’s impressive, but burnout is not a badge of honor.
If you’re drowning in to-dos, it might be time to let the experts do the damn thing. Just like you wouldn’t let your cousin fix your leaky roof (again), don’t hand your marketing to someone who’s winging it — especially if that someone is you.
Investing in pros can free you up to focus on what you do best: running the biz.
5. Your Budget Matters — and So Does Your Mindset
Look, we’re not saying marketing is cheap. But hiring help doesn’t have to wipe out your emergency fund either. Be honest about your budget, and don’t be afraid to ask:
What’s included?
What results can I realistically expect?
How do we measure success?
And remember: you still have to show up. No consultant or agency can execute without your input, approvals, or access to the right tools. It’s a partnership — not a pass-off.
6. A Good Marketer Believes in Your Brand (And Isn’t Afraid to Tell You What’s Not Working)
The best-fit consultant or agency won’t just say “yes” to every idea. They’ll tell you when something’s off, suggest stronger strategies, and genuinely want to see your brand grow — not just their retainer.
When someone gets your vision and helps bring it to life in a way that makes customers take notice? That’s when the magic happens. (Not magic-magic. Strategy-magic.)
Final Thoughts: Do It Smart, Not Solo
Hiring a marketing agency or consultant can take your business from good to growing, but it starts with choosing the right people and setting the right expectations. Don't fall for the hype. Be informed, be engaged, and don’t try to juggle it all alone.
Need help figuring out if hiring support is right for you? Or whether you need an agency, consultant, or some other kind of creative unicorn?
Let’s chat. We’ll help you map it out — no pressure, no fluff.
