What to Expect During a Marketing Consultation

Shannon HOWARD
Aug 12
3 min read

When you decide to improve your business’s online presence, a marketing consultation is often the first step. This meeting is designed to help you understand your current marketing efforts and explore new strategies to grow your brand. Whether you are new to marketing or looking to refine your approach, knowing what to expect during a marketing consultation can make the process smoother and more productive.

Understanding the Purpose of a Marketing Consultation

A marketing consultation is a professional meeting where experts analyze your business’s marketing needs. The goal is to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth. During this session, you will discuss your business goals, target audience, and current marketing strategies.

The consultant will ask questions about your brand, products, and services. They want to understand what makes your business unique and how you currently reach your customers. This information helps them tailor recommendations that fit your specific needs.

For example, if you run a small retail store, the consultant might suggest ways to increase foot traffic or improve your social media presence. If you have an online business, they may focus on search engine optimization (SEO) or paid advertising strategies.

Eye-level view of a business meeting with marketing materials on the table — Marketing consultation discussion with business owner

What Happens During a Marketing Consultation?

During a marketing consultation, expect a structured yet flexible conversation. The consultant will typically follow these steps:

Initial Assessment - They review your current marketing efforts, including your website, social media, and advertising campaigns.
Goal Setting - You discuss your business objectives and what you hope to achieve through marketing.
Audience Analysis - The consultant helps identify your target market and customer personas.
Strategy Development - Based on the information gathered, they suggest marketing tactics and channels that align with your goals.
Action Plan - You receive a clear plan outlining next steps, timelines, and expected outcomes.

This process is interactive. You should feel comfortable asking questions and sharing your concerns. The consultant’s role is to guide you, not just to sell services.

If you want to explore this further, consider booking a digital marketing consultation to get personalized advice tailored to your business.

Close-up view of a laptop screen showing marketing analytics — Analyzing marketing data during consultation

What are the 7 C's of digital marketing?

Understanding the 7 C's of digital marketing can help you grasp the key elements that a marketing consultation might cover. These principles guide effective online marketing strategies:

Content - Creating valuable and relevant information to attract and engage your audience.
Context - Ensuring your content fits the platform and audience expectations.
Community - Building relationships and engaging with your audience through social media and forums.
Customization - Tailoring messages and offers to individual customer preferences.
Communication - Maintaining two-way interaction with your customers.
Connection - Linking your marketing efforts across different channels for a seamless experience.
Commerce - Facilitating online transactions and sales.

A marketing consultant will often evaluate how well your current efforts align with these 7 C's and suggest improvements.

High angle view of a whiteboard with digital marketing strategy notes — Planning digital marketing strategy with 7 C's framework

How to Prepare for Your Marketing Consultation

Preparation is key to making the most of your marketing consultation. Here are some tips to get ready:

Gather Data - Bring any relevant marketing reports, website analytics, and social media insights.
Define Goals - Be clear about what you want to achieve, whether it’s increasing sales, improving brand awareness, or launching a new product.
Know Your Audience - Have a basic understanding of who your customers are and what they want.
List Questions - Prepare questions about marketing tactics, budget, timelines, and expected results.
Be Open - Be ready to discuss challenges and be open to new ideas.

By coming prepared, you help the consultant provide targeted advice that fits your business needs.

What to Do After Your Marketing Consultation

After the consultation, you will likely receive a detailed report or action plan. This document outlines the recommended strategies and next steps. Here’s how to proceed:

Review the Plan - Take time to understand the suggestions and how they align with your goals.
Prioritize Actions - Identify which tasks to tackle first based on impact and resources.
Set Deadlines - Create a timeline to implement the strategies.
Monitor Progress - Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success.
Stay in Touch - Keep communication open with your consultant for ongoing support or adjustments.

Implementing the advice from your consultation can lead to significant improvements in your marketing results.

A marketing consultation is a valuable opportunity to gain expert insights and develop a clear path forward for your business. By understanding what to expect and how to prepare, you can maximize the benefits of this important step in your marketing journey.