Just started as a freelance Marketing consultant? Avoid these rookie errors.
Congratulations! You’ve just started out as a freelance Marketing consultant. Whether you’ve left a corporate firm or started fresh off a recent qualification, you’re about to enter the fast-paced and rewarding world of working for yourself.
At Switch, we pride ourselves on working with freelancers who are as passionate about their businesses as we are about ours. And we love start-ups! That’s why we’re always willing to share our advice about outsourced Marketing and freelancing – we’ve been there, done that, and are still rocking it with our team of freelance professionals.
Our gift to you this month - four starting out mistakes to avoid as a freelance consultant:
1. Promising more than you can deliver
Working freelance means you can make and action your plans quickly and efficiently – great news for your client. However, it also means you might not have the resources or support that a bigger team or agency has. And, you might not be able to do what you’ve promised in the timeframe or on the scale you pitched to your client. Under-delivering can only lead to disappointment and can compromise your reputation. Promise what you can deliver, do that, and get expert help with the rest.
2. Ignoring the truth about your client
Every client is different – this means that you can’t present a cookie cutter Marketing plan to every client and expect it to work or fit. Do your research and find out as much as possible about your client’s brand, customer, and Marketing aims. Are they traditional and conservative or happy to be seen as a little ‘off the wall’? Do they want to make more Sales or see their brand elevated in the industry? How do they want to interact with their customers? Do they even know who their customers are? Gain an in-depth understanding of the unique nature and needs of your client’s business and tailor your plan accordingly.
3. Making an enemy of Sales
In most companies, Sales and Marketing are placed in an uneasy marriage. Sales wants materials from Marketing and Marketing wants to drive campaigns through the Sales team, and the two don’t always see eye to eye. The path to success is obviously for both parties to work towards the same goals – mainly raising brand awareness and generating sales. Developing this kind of relationship takes time and effort, even more so if you’re arriving on the scene as a freelance consultant. Establish your point of contact and level of interaction with the Sales team from the start of your relationship with your client. Be clear, friendly, and cooperative without being a pushover. Work to maintain a professional relationship with each member of your client’s team with the aim of the team seeing you as an expert asset rather than an enemy.
4. Doing the same old, same old
While there’s much to be said about sticking with a Marketing strategy that works, it’s important to move with the times so that your client’s business isn’t left behind. Effective marketing means staying on trend and in touch, especially when it comes to technology. You need to be curious about new technologies and Marketing trends to ensure your client’s business stays relevant to their ideal customer. Of course, not every novelty will work for every client. The trick to making the new work for your client? Make sure it’s the right fit for their brand and customer.
Love working freelance but need some support with the above? Have great Marketing idea but not enough time to execute them? Want to work with other professionals who understand the Marketing game? Call us!
We’re the perfect partner for freelance Marketing consultants. As an outsourced Marketing agency, our team of Marketing, Communication, and Design experts can help you generate and deliver marketing campaigns that allow you the freedom to focus on your client’s big picture.