Emerald City Marketing L.L.C.

Description

ECM is a Bellevue based consulting firm focused on creating customized marketing for small businesses. ECM works with management to provide comprehensive structure and organized marketing plans that are tailored towards the goals of each individual business. Social Media, Ad Campaigns, Group Mailers and SEO, are only a fraction of what is necessary to be successful in today's business environment. ECM invests in understanding client's unique situation allowing us to structure a plan around achieving those goals. We strive to improve the design of our clients marketing, focusing on growing the businesses over time, keeping in mind budget, cost of services, economic conditions, and status of target market.

The Situation

Working in sales and marketing since I was eighteen, I noticed a lack of consideration from companies selling marketing services to businesses. There was a disconnect, most companies realized they need marketing, but few businesses owners have the time they need to spend on organizing their business to encompass all aspects of current trends used to advertise, promote, sell and or otherwise compete in today's economy. ECM core values are established to organize marketing for small business providing owners and management with a method to provide the results they are looking for.

Types of clients you work with, and how you work with them

Client type very, ECM focus is on serving small businesses with little to no marketing. We work with owners and management to lay down the groundwork for the business to achieve its mission.

We start with an initial consult determining the goals of the business. Once we have the goals determined we establish a roadmap for those goals to become a reality. We help you stay within budget, on time, and on task.

What is the job of a marketing consultant

A marketing consultant is an experienced marketing professional often hired by a company to help develop a marketing plan, strategies and/or actionable tasks. The consultant may participate in identifying target markets, researching the marketplace, developing solutions and preparing marketing campaigns.

Marketing consultants can work as an independent, contractor or within a marketing firm. Most marketing consultants are entrepreneurs that have started their own business.

Top reasons organizations hire consultants today

    • Obtain specific expertise
    • Identify problems
    • Supplement a company's internal staff
    • Act as a catalyst for change
    • Be an objective onlooker
    • Teach
    • To do the job nobody else wants to do

What should you consider when hiring a marketing consultant

    • Outside perspective
    • Specialized skill set
    • Short-term commitment
    • Saves time
    • Evades office politics
    • Increases accountability
    • Finding the right fit

What can a marketing consultant do for me

    • Online Marketing
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Nonprofit Marketing
    • Social media marketing and social media marketing platforms
    • Search engine marketing and search engine optimization
    • Reputation management
    • Image and brand awareness
    • Consumer behavior and customer psychology
    • Direct Response Marketing

Questions you should ask

    • If a marketing program doesn’t perform as expected, what adjustments do you make?
    • What does their own marketing look like?
    • Can you give three examples of marketing that you put together for clients that not only increased their leads, but also led to more sales?
    • Do they have references?
    • How do they come up with their rate?
    • Keep track of how and when they respond to you. How quickly do they get in touch after your initial inquiry? What’s the tone/style of their email communications? If you request a proposal, how prompt are they in delivering it, and what’s the presentation like?

How much money does a marketing consultant make

The career of a marketing consultant is a rewarding and flexible career, but it also comes with its challenges. A marketing consultant can work as an independent, contractor or within a marketing firm. Most marketing consultants are entrepreneurs that have started their own business.

The marketing coordinator respectively should be making $40k - $60k per year, while the strategist can expect a salary of $100k - $150K per year. Those starting numbers put you at $20 per hour versus $50 per hour respectively.

How much should I expect to pay for a marketing plan

Creating a comprehensive strategy for social media marketing and outsourcing all work for all channels (with a minimum of two social networks) costs anywhere from $3,000-$20,000 per month, with the industry average settling between $4,000-$7,000 per month.

What questions are they asking you

Marketing is changing continually thanks to social media, mobile marketing, and the fact that every “serious” company has a website. A good marketing consultant will help you define how your marketing philosophy has evolved, showing change/react to new ways of doing things?

    • How do you measure success?
    • What do you think of our current marketing plan?
    • What have you done in the past (and who are some notable clients)?
    • What do you love most about your job?
    • May I contact three of your clients and speak with them?

How do I research a consultant

Start with what is easy, “Google It” search on the consultant’s name or firm’s name. Review website, especially portfolio sections. If they offer resources, such as white papers or blog posts, check them out.

    • Do you like what they say?
    • The way they say it?
    • Have you learned from them?

Check out their social media presence. A marketing firm and/or marketing consultant in 2017 must have an online presence. At the very least, they should be on Facebook and LinkedIn. (how do you expect them to counsel you and your team if they’re not active themselves)