Mid Career Consulting’s Post

Good insights for consultants or mid career pros looking to take control of their work.

Avoid These 7 Deadly Sins When Building a Tech Consulting Marketing Plan! Then, Follow the Path to Redemption (included below). Tech consulting firms must have effective marketing if they want to accelerate growth. Effective marketing begins with a plan. Unfortunately, many firm leaders fail at planning for these 7 reasons. 😈 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Ignoring your responsibility to create your marketing plan doesn’t improve anything: You can’t ignore planning. Doing so will ensure you feel time pressure to complete your plan, making compromise more likely. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Just start. The first step leads to the second. 😈 𝗜𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Not analyzing and understanding past marketing performance and results removes the ability to make data-based decisions. Data from the past provides valuable insight. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Use the 5QQ framework (prior post) to analyze past performance and identify improvement areas. 😈 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Your plan is not an island! A marketing planning effort that excludes sales, customer success, and other areas of your tech consulting firm will diminish the plan's quality and effectiveness. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Collaborate with sales, product, customer success, and other teams to gain insight, input, and alignment. 😈 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Being too “generic” produces a weak plan. Your marketing plan must be detailed because it allocates time, money, and effort.   𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Include detailed goals, calendars, budgets, and campaigns in your plan. 😈 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Do not get caught up in shiny objects, the latest MarTech pitches, or efforts to produce vanity metrics. Your plan should align with the firm's business goals. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Concentrating on creating a quality plan will amplify its value. Set aside the appropriate time necessary to produce your plan. 😈 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Assuming you know your ideal customer, their needs, wants, and behavior, your planning will be more challenging and less effective. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Ensure you have updated strategic elements (ICP, channel, content performance, etc.) and include those in your planning. 😈 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Striving to create the perfect plan will prolong your efforts and prevent you from completing the plan and getting on with execution. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Realize that a plan is only valuable if executed. Get comfortable with a level of done that is effective but not perfect. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺? ➡️ Becoming your marketing leader (fractional CMO). ➡️ Defining and implementing your marketing strategy. ➡️ Translating your strategy into a marketing plan for success.

Building a marketing agency involves strategic planning, networking, and a clear understanding of the marketing landscape. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you establish a successful marketing agency: 1. Identify Your Niche Decide on a specific niche for your agency. Whether it's SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, or content marketing, focusing on a particular area allows you to develop expertise and stand out in a crowded market. Analyze industry trends and choose sectors with growth potential. 2. Create a Business Plan Outline your services, target market, goals, and financial projections. Include a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to assess your position in the market. Decide on your pricing model—whether it will be project-based, hourly, or retainer fees. 3. Build a Strong Brand Create a brand identity that resonates with your target clients. Develop a professional logo, website, and social media presence. Write a compelling story about your agency's vision, mission, and values. 4. Set Up Your Business Register your agency as a legal entity and handle necessary paperwork, such as obtaining business licenses, tax IDs, and setting up a business bank account. Choose whether you want to start solo or hire a small team. 5. Build a Portfolio If you don’t have any clients, start by offering free or discounted services to build your portfolio. This will help showcase your work and attract paying clients. Collect testimonials from early clients to build credibility. 6. Develop a Lead Generation Strategy Invest in inbound marketing strategies such as content marketing, SEO, and social media. Attend industry events, network with other professionals, and use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential clients. Run paid ad campaigns to target potential clients who are actively searching for marketing solutions. 7. Hire Talented Team Members As your business grows, start hiring talented professionals in areas where you may lack expertise, such as web development, graphic design, or copywriting. Consider building a remote team to save on overhead costs. 8. Deliver Excellent Results Focus on delivering high-quality results that align with your clients' business goals. Data-driven results and consistent performance will retain clients and attract referrals. Regularly communicate with clients, provide detailed reports, and offer suggestions for further improvement Contact Info Phone Number: +8801825748511 Email: [email protected] Website: www.diyojmedia.com

Building a business or keeping a young company afloat is challenging, with pressure from product development, operations, and decision-making. Effective marketing becomes essential to reaching your target audience and driving growth as you scale up. But that raises the crucial question: how do you establish the right marketing setup?  Do you build an in-house team or outsource it to an agency? Let’s break it down to help you decide what works best for your business. When to Build an In-House Marketing Team: 💸 Budget for recruitment and training: If you have the resources to hire, train, and continuously upskill your team, going the in-house route is a no-brainer. 💼 Full control over strategy and brand voice: With an in-house team, you can directly steer your marketing efforts while ensuring every campaign is deeply aligned with your brand’s vision, tone, and messaging for consistent communication across all platforms. 💬 Faster communication and exclusive focus: Your in-house team is just a message away for urgent tweaks or quick turnarounds, and since they’re solely dedicated to your brand, you’ll get their undivided attention without competing priorities. However, while an in-house team offers control and exclusivity, it also comes with high costs, challenges in scalability, and the need for constant skill development. That’s where outsourcing makes sense. What a Marketing Agency Brings to the Table: 👥 Access to diverse expertise: Marketing agencies offer a team of specialists—strategists, content writers, SEO experts, social media managers, and more—ensuring all aspects of your marketing are handled seamlessly, so you can focus on core business operations. 🔧 Access to resources, tools, and industry connections: Agencies provide the latest tools and strategies, saving you from costly investments. They also leverage industry connections to give your brand a competitive edge through collaborations with top experts and platforms. 📈 Scalability: Agencies can scale up or down as your business grows, allowing flexibility without worrying about managing a large in-house team. 💡 Significant cost savings: Outsourcing to an agency saves you the costs of hiring, training, and buying expensive tools, providing expert services at a fraction of the cost of an in-house team. Choosing between an in-house team and an agency depends on your business needs, goals, and budget. While an in-house team offers control and close alignment with your brand, a marketing agency provides flexibility, expertise, and cost efficiency. If you’re a small or growing business, outsourcing to agencies like Voynic Media means getting your marketing off the ground without the hassle. We’ll bring the expertise and tools so you can focus on what matters—building your brand. #MarketingMadeEasy #BusinessGrowth #InHouseVsAgency #MarketingStrategy #SmallBusinessSuccess #VoynicMedia #DigitalMarketing

Fact: Invisibility isn't a marketing superpower. Remember that useless app? Ignored. Mediocre marketing? Same fate. Question: Are you inspiring your audience or interrupting them? Here are signs your marketing is haunting, not helping: • Your website? A ghost town. ️ • Leads vanish faster than your budget. • Brand awareness? It's more like brand amnesia. • Competitors are stealing your thunder. Stop being a ghost. Become a thought leader: Low Website Traffic? SEO and content marketing are your best friends. Use relevant keywords, optimize your content, and let your expertise shine through. 🌟 Poor Lead Conversion? Nurture your leads. Segment them, engage them, and guide them through the sales funnel. Remember, every lead is a potential success story. 📈 Low Marketing ROI? Measure, refine, optimize. Use analytics tools to track your results. Allocate resources to what works and adjust what doesn’t. Data is power. 💡 Price Tag Stigma? Shift the conversation from price to value. Highlight your unique value proposition and highlight successful client stories. Be the trusted advisor your clients need. 💼 Weak Social Media Presence? Engage, provide value, and tailor your strategies. Each platform is a new opportunity to connect and grow. 🌐 💡 Want to learn more about making your marketing more efficient and grow your Software Development Outsourcing business? Check out this article: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gZyGW2KP 🚀 Act Now! Don't just read and forget. Apply these recommendations and see your business soar. 🆓 Need help? Contact me for a non-obligatory consultation!

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗠𝗘 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲? 1. Cost-Effective Expertise Hiring an in-house digital marketing team can be expensive for SMEs. Salaries, benefits, training, and overhead costs add up quickly. An outsourced digital marketing agency offers a cost-effective solution, providing access to a team of experts at a fraction of the cost. You pay for the services you need, when you need them, without the long-term financial commitment of maintaining a full-time team. 2. Access to a Wide Range of Skills Digital marketing is a multifaceted field requiring diverse skills. Building an in-house team with expertise in all these areas can be challenging and expensive. An outsourced agency brings a team of specialists who are proficient in all aspects of digital marketing, ensuring that your campaigns are comprehensive and effective. 3. Focus on Core Business Activities Outsourcing your digital marketing allows you to focus on what you do best – running your business. Managing marketing campaigns, staying updated with the latest trends, and analyzing performance metrics can be time-consuming and distract from core business activities. By partnering with a digital marketing agency, you can delegate these tasks to professionals who will handle them efficiently, allowing you to concentrate on business growth and operations. 4. Scalability and Flexibility As your business grows, your marketing needs will evolve. An outsourced digital marketing agency provides the flexibility to scale services up or down based on your current requirements and budget. Whether you need to ramp up your efforts during a product launch or scale back during slower periods, an agency can adjust its services to match your needs without the hassle of hiring or laying off staff. 5. Cutting-Edge Tools and Technologies Digital marketing agencies invest in the latest tools and technologies to stay ahead of the curve. These tools can be expensive for individual businesses to purchase and maintain. By outsourcing, you gain access to these advanced tools and technologies, ensuring that your marketing strategies are data-driven, efficient, and effective. 6. Objective Perspective and Fresh Ideas Sometimes, being too close to your business can limit your perspective. An outsourced digital marketing agency brings an outsider’s viewpoint, offering fresh ideas and strategies that you might not have considered. 7. Measurable Results and Accountability A reputable digital marketing agency is results-oriented and accountable for delivering measurable outcomes. They provide regular reports and analytics, giving you clear insights into the performance of your campaigns. This transparency ensures that you understand the return on your investment and can make informed decisions about future marketing strategies. #WECOFA #WECOFADigital #DigitalMarketing #SME #SG

The 10% rule of marketing for professional services: I get asked often what's a reasonable % of revenue to allocate toward marketing and business development activities. The issue for boutique firms is there just isn't a ton of great data. The only reliable data sets I've been able to find have been for very large firms. And while there are obviously nuances in terms of industry, geography, etc., 5-10% seems to be a pretty consistent range. Which suggests to me that a boutique should AT LEAST be hitting those numbers. So I've anchored on 10% as a reasonable goal. Since people are the biggest cost in most firms, the easiest win is simply setting a standard for marketing activity with your people. I believe any Partner or Managing Director should spend at least an hour per day on marketing and business development activities. Or you should lean on external services to help them ( 👋 ). Director and associate level team members should also have some level-appropriate activities. Both to reinforce the idea that marketing matters, and to help them slowly develop the skills themselves. Practicing with thought leadership on their own social profiles is a great place to start. The rest of your marketing budget would be allocated to non-people expenses - paid spend, PR, conferences, training, etc. I'm a fan of using a portion of this budget to amplify or augment what your people are doing - to help make your Partners "slightly famous." But that only works if they have something to say. Tracking the effectiveness of your non-people spend is notoriously difficult with professional services. Because it's such a long sales cycle and a trust based sale, it's rare to find tactics that are easily and directly attributable to revenue. You're not going to sell that 6 figure innovation consulting deal from an ad. But that doesn't mean you don't spend the money. You realize a lot of it is more like brand vs. direct response. You think of thoughtful ways to have your strategies reinforce each other. You funnel people into channels where you have permission to build relationships with them over time - following your Partners on LI, sending personalized email newsletters, etc. Imagine a world where every single team member in your firm is regularly engaging in some form of thought leadership or business development work every day. And where you have a marketing apparatus that helps amplify them and build trusted relationships at scale. I'm willing to bet in a year your firm would look very different than it does today.

Running a marketing agency involves a mix of strategic planning, client management, and operational efficiency. Here are some tips to help you succeed: 1. Define Your Niche Specialization: Focus on a specific industry or type of marketing (e.g., digital, content, social media) to differentiate your agency from competitors. Target Audience: Understand who your ideal clients are and tailor your services to meet their needs. 2. Build a Strong Team Hire Talented Professionals: Look for individuals with skills that complement each other and align with your agency’s niche. Foster a Positive Culture: Create a supportive and collaborative work environment to retain top talent and encourage creativity. 3. Develop a Solid Business Plan Goals and Objectives: Set clear short-term and long-term goals. Budgeting and Forecasting: Create detailed financial plans and regularly review them to ensure profitability. 4. Create a Strong Brand Identity Branding: Develop a unique brand identity, including a logo, website, and marketing materials that reflect your agency’s values and services. Consistency: Ensure consistency across all platforms and client interactions. 5. Build a Robust Portfolio Showcase Your Work: Highlight successful campaigns and case studies on your website. Client Testimonials: Collect and display positive feedback from satisfied clients. 6. Focus on Client Relationships Communication: Maintain clear and regular communication with clients to understand their needs and expectations. Feedback and Adaptation: Be open to feedback and willing to adapt your strategies to better serve your clients. 7. Leverage Technology Tools and Software: Use project management tools, CRM systems, and analytics platforms to streamline operations and track performance. Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest marketing technologies and trends to offer cutting-edge solutions. 8. Implement Effective Marketing Strategies Content Marketing: Use blogs, case studies, and social media to showcase your expertise and attract potential clients. Networking and Partnerships: Build relationships with other businesses and industry influencers to generate referrals and collaboration opportunities. 9. Measure and Analyze Performance KPIs and Metrics: Track key performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of your campaigns and strategies. Continuous Improvement: Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and continually refine your approach. 10. Manage Finances Wisely Revenue Streams: Diversify your revenue streams through various services or retainer models. Cash Flow Management: Monitor cash flow carefully to avoid financial issues and ensure your agency remains sustainable. By focusing on these areas, you can build a successful and sustainable marketing agency that delivers value to clients and stands out in a competitive market.

Several key strategies can help your business thrive to build an online presence. You must ensure to do the following: -- Establish a strong presence online. -- Gather ' user ' behaviour as your analysis. -- Continually improve your business. -- Implement the strategies that you have learnt. -- Utilize digital marketing skills (Online marketing) -- Have good customer-communicative relationship management. -- Create good and strategic content. -- Continually improve your competence and expertise. Let me explain further. Establish a Strong Presence online: Building a professional brand takes a lot. You have to establish a user-friendly interface with your audience by writing informative and educative content about your brand. Also, build a reliable friendship by making them trust you enough to trust you with their money. This can help enhance the customer experiences between you and your potential clients. Utilize Digital Marketing Skill: Invest in strategic marketing in your major social media platforms. You can choose to run ads if that works for you. Use good pictures to attract the attention of potential customers to read your content. Use graphics to communicate your market. Sell yourself every day until you meet your desired goal. Prove that you are good enough. Have good customer-communicative relationship management: Implement policies that track by analyzing good customer relationships. Interact with your customers. Do not avoid their questions. Explain your mode of communication, how your business operates and what they should expect. A good communication skill is the basis of attracting clients and making them pay for your service. But first, you have to show them that you have a solution to their problem. Find a problem and create a solution to it. People pay for solutions. Not the problem. Create good and strategic content: I will start by saying that if you intend to start digital marketing or you are already, learn copywriting. You can only sale by understanding how to write to motivate and persuade your potential clients. Sale the problem and sale the solution you have. Create relevant, valuable, and engaging content to attract and retain customers. Let's call this content marketing. This can help establish the thoughts of your potential clients. Gather ' user ' behaviour as your analysis: Be emotionally intelligent enough and have the ability to understand your audience, their needs and their problem and create a solution to it. Continually improve your Competence & Expertise: Continuous improvement is another way to win in business. Always learn to gather more knowledge on your niche. Always stay updated about your niche, brand or line of business. Learn about trends, and your competitors and adapt new strategies that could help you thrive accordingly. Regularly evaluate your online presence to stay in business. #T.#USHA #Writer #Editor

🚀 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐀 𝐒𝐚𝐚𝐒 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 As a SaaS founder, you are familiar with the hustle of keeping everything in motion. With all those responsibilities, you may often feel there are never enough hours in a day. This is where the Marketing Assistant steps in — not only to help you do things but also to be a collaborating partner on your growth path. 5 Reasons a Marketing Assistant Would be a Game-Changer For Your SaaS Company 1. Get More Done Without Burning Out: Now imagine all your day-to-day marketing tasks (managing social media, building content, running email campaigns) are all handled by someone else. It helps you focus on that other big picture kind of stuff — like strategy and will help push forth innovation. There is an additional benefit to this — you can also prevent becoming overwhelmed with wearing so many hats. 2. Cost-Effectiveness without Compromised Quality: Hiring an entire marketing team can get extremely costly, especially in the start-up stage. With a Marketing Assistant, you'll receive all of the support without emptying your wallet. It is a clever way to extend your effort more with little impact on your budget. 3. Stay Ahead on the Digital Front: In a SaaS world, digital competence is everything. A Marketing Assistant who excels at digital tools like HubSpot, Mailchimp, Google Analytics etc., leads the pack to ensure your campaigns are up and running smoothly and effectively. 4. Increase Your Brand Visibility: Consistent, captivating content is super important when it comes to staying relevant in a saturated digital landscape. A Marketing Assistant can help you maintain a strong, active presence across all your channels, ensuring your brand stays top of mind with your audience. 5. Scale as You Grow: Your marketing needs will evolve as your SaaS company grows. A Marketing Assistant is flexible and can scale with you, ensuring that your marketing keeps pace with your business. Finally: Bringing a Marketing Assistant on board isn’t just about getting more done—it’s about doing it in a way that’s sustainable for you and your business. By delegating your marketing tasks, you can focus on driving your SaaS company forward with clarity and purpose. Are you a founder, or do you work in marketing? You can share more benefits of having a marketing assistant in the comments. PS: Thinking about how a Marketing Assistant could fit into your team? Let’s connect and explore how to take your SaaS marketing to the next level! 🚀 #SaaS #MarketingAssistant #StartupGrowth #DigitalMarketing #SaaSFounders #ScaleYourBusiness