One of the most common questions we have gotten over time is around the cost of a marketing consultant, though that’s a loaded question and depends on a wide variety of factors ranging from a consultant’s purpose (e-commerce, SEO, social media initiatives, etc.) along with where they’re located, company goals, etc.

Going back to the roots of marketing consulting and the true value in the guidance provided, that ties back to the results in the end – essentially showing the proof in the pudding – though such performance metrics weigh differently depending on the type of business you’re in.

For example, kicking ass on social media to boost a local restaurant may generate an influx of $5k/month in sales whereas taking the same approach on a global scale for a Fortune 500 company might produce $5M or $500M in returns that month. That’s where marketing consultants who can see the light at the end of the tunnel shine and can help you get there.

And as one example, if you’re a Fortune 500 company that can bring on a marketing consultant for $20k/month and use that to produce 100x the spend that’s worth its weight in gold and more. And doing so in a way that’s sustainable to produce ongoing returns regardless of spend.

The average cost of a marketing consultant will inherently be based on the industry you’re in along with your competition, and while a social media consultant in the food industry may charge $200/hr a social media expert witness (like cases we’ve worked on) demand $1,500/hr for expert witness testimony at trial.

In a nutshell, the average cost of a marketing consultant depends on your goals, the customers you’re going after and really what you’re willing to spend to compete on the highest level. It’s no different than hiring the best trainers for athletes, etc.