Mayple logo

10 Best Marketing Consultants to Hire for 2024

Get scaling with a marketing consultant in 2024 and reap the benefits of vetted expertise.

Dyllan Hopewell
By Dyllan Hopewell
Janet Barben editor profile photo
Edited by Janet Barben

Published March 3, 2024.

two people sitting at a table looking at a laptop

As a business owner, you want your company to grow and succeed. An effective marketing strategy will help you with this, as it is key for reaching new customers, building brand awareness, and boosting sales. However, developing and executing a strategic marketing plan takes specific skills and expertise that your team may lack—that's where hiring a marketing consultant comes in.

A marketing pro can provide an outside perspective on your company and market, develop data-driven strategies to achieve your goals, and take over the demanding work of executing campaigns and monitoring their results. While hiring a consultant requires an investment, the return can be well worth it in the form of increased profits and a clear path for long-term growth.

Our top picks for the best marketing consultants

1. Chris W. - Best overall

2. Gabriela O. - Best for innovative PPC and SEO expertise

3. Matt M. - Best for lead generation optimization

4. Daniel J. - Best for growth marketing

5. Barbara H. - Best for tailored analytical marketing

6. Stephen R. - Best for pay-per-click guidance

7. Doron D. - Best for marketing expertise with startups

8. Itzett R. - Best for marketing strategy in the tech industry

9. Bing H. - Best for CRO and CMO expertise

10. Rob G. - Best for tailored customer engagement



What's the difference between a marketing consultant and a marketing freelancer? 

Business marketing consultants are usually much more entrepreneurial; they run their business seriously and are usually in charge of creating an effective marketing strategy for the business. They are more like an external advisor for your in-house team or full-time CMO, while freelancers are more tactical and usually help with specific marketing channels or activities.

Best overall

1


Exceptional
10
a man standing next to a body of water

Chris W.

Expert marketing consultant

Experience

8+ years


Country

UK


Industry focus

Automotive | Home & garden | Real estate | Technology | Travel | Gaming

Over the past eight years, Chris has cultivated a strong track record in fostering the growth of startups, scale-ups, and businesses.

His multifaceted skill set encompasses conducting in-depth customer research aimed at uncovering pain points that drive revenue growth or decrease customer acquisition costs, employing techniques such as conversion rate optimization (CRO) or targeted marketing campaigns.

  • Growth hacking
  • Marketing strategy
  • Social ads
  • Search ads
  • CRO

Chris specializes in devising comprehensive growth marketing strategies spanning multiple channels to maximize reach and impact.

He is adept at setting up and refining acquisition campaigns on prominent platforms like Facebook, Google, and YouTube, with a keen focus on driving superior performance and achieving measurable results.

Best for innovative PPC and SEO expertise

2


Outstanding
9.9
Gabriela O Icon

Gabriela O.

Marketing strategy consultant

Experience

8+ years


Country

UK


Industry focus

Automotive | Finance | Health & wellness | Travel | Electronics | Art & entertainment

Gabriela brings over eaight years of extensive experience as a pay-per-click manager, collaborating with a diverse range of agencies and businesses worldwide, with a predominant focus on the US, Brazil, and select European nations.

  • Search ads
  • SEO
  • Marketing strategy
  • Outbrain
  • Social ads
  • PPC

As a self-taught professional with a natural curiosity, Gebriela consistently seeks opportunities to enhance her expertise and remain abreast of the latest developments in the dynamic marketing landscape.

Best for lead generation optimization

3


Outstanding
9.8
Matt M icon

Matt M.

Freelance marketing consultant

Experience

8+ years


Country

Canada


Industry focus

Health & wellness | Stye & fashion | Baby | Pets | Beauty

Matt, a seasoned marketing manager, boasts more than eight years of expertise in lead generation, brand awareness building, and revenue enhancement.

His comprehensive grasp of contemporary marketing strategies spans both micro and macro levels, enabling him to navigate complex landscapes with ease.

    • Marketing strategy
    • Search ads
    • Social ads
    • SMS marketing
    • Email marketing
    • Amazon PPC

With a proven track record of implementing effective systems and overseeing numerous projects concurrently, Matt excels in crafting compelling branded content and fostering community engagement in alignment with key performance indicators (KPIs).

Best for tailored analytical marketing

4


Outstanding
9.7
Daniel Johnson

Daniel J.

Pro marketing and ads consultant

Experience

8+ years


Country

UK


Industry focus

Gaming | Art & entertainment | Social & community | Finance | Education | Technology

Daniel is dedicated to assisting startups in reaching ambitious goals by leveraging growth marketing methodologies grounded in data-driven, first-principles approaches.

  • Social ads
  • Marketing strategy
  • Taboola
  • Growth marketing

With a wealth of experience collaborating with some of the globe's fastest-growing startups and companies, Daniel possesses invaluable insights into effective strategies that yield tangible results.

Best for growth with high-value marketing budgets

5


Outstanding
9.6
a black and white photo of a woman

Barbara H.

Transformative freelance marketing consultant

Experience

10+ years


Country

Austria


Industry focus

Professional services | Health & wellness | Beauty | Gaming | Baby

Barbara is a passionate digital marketer with over a decade of experience and a keen focus on performance-driven data analysis. She prioritizes dedicating ample time to thoroughly researching and immersing herself in her clients' businesses and industries.

  • Social ads
  • Search ads
  • Marketing strategy
  • Amazon PPC
  • Outbrain

Rejecting a "one size fits all" approach, Barbara instead invests considerable thought into tailoring each account or strategy for optimal success. She has headed several teams conquering multiple tasks in her success as a marketer.

Best for pay-per-click guidance

6


Outstanding
9.5
a man with sunglasses on taking a selfie

Stephen R.

Professional marketing expert

Experience

8+ years


Country

UK


Industry focus

Finance | Electronics | Automotive | Travel

Stephen specializes in customer acquisition through digital channels, strategically targeting them at the opportune moment and location, and nurturing them into enduring, high-value customers.

  • Outbrain
  • Amazon PPC
  • Social ads
  • Search ads
  • Marketing strategy
  • Taboola

With an unwavering focus on growth and achieving key milestones, Stephen directly influences bottom-line results. His expertise lies particularly in pay-per-click (PPC) and social media advertising, where he excels in crafting effective campaigns to drive business objectives.

Best for marketing expertise with startups

7


Outstanding
9.4
a man standing in front of a brick wall

Doron D.

Agile marketing consultant

Experience

10+ years


Country

Israel


Industry focus

Health & wellness | Travel | Gaming | Art & entertainment | Finance | Technology

Doron actively mentors startups in the TechStars accelerator program and serves as a board growth advisor. His contributions to the field have been recognized, as evidenced by his feature in Forbes Israel as a digital marketing expert for startups.

  • Search ads
  • Social ads
  • Marketing strategy
  • Outbrain

Doron brings extensive experience to the table, having collaborated with and worked for over 100 startups globally, accumulating more than a decade of expertise in digital marketing.

He previously held key positions such as Head of User Acquisition at Lemonade (LMND) and Vice President of Growth at Lili banking. Doron's involvement extends beyond individual roles

Best for marketing strategy in the tech industry

8


Outstanding
9.3
a woman sitting in a chair with her arms behind her head

Itzett R.

Innovative freelance marketer

Experience

8+ years


Country

USA


Industry focus

Technology

With nine years of expertise in marketing and customer acquisition strategy, Itzett specializes in collaborating with startups and companies poised for growth.

Whether engaging directly with founders or serving as a trusted advisor to marketing teams, Itzett brings a wealth of experience to the table.

  • Taboola
  • Outbrain
  • Marketing strategy
  • Social ads
  • Search ads

Itzett boasts a rich professional background as the Director of Digital Marketing across multiple startups in Austin, Texas, and late-stage startups in New York City.

Notably, she harbors a deep passion for brands dedicated to sustainability and wellness, aligning her work with her personal values.

Best for CRO and CMO expertise

9


Outstanding
9.2
Bing Han

Bing H.

Growth-focused marketing consultant

Experience

10+ years


Country

USA


Industry focus

Beauty | Sports, outdoors & fitness | Health & wellness | Home & garden | Technology | Automotive

Bing brings over a decade of invaluable experience in growth marketing, specializing in empowering clients to enhance sales and retention rates.

  • CRO
  • Marketing strategy
  • Tracking and implementation
  • CMO
  • Google Ads
  • Bing Ads

With a profound passion for growth strategies, Bing harnesses the power of data analytics to steer marketing initiatives and craft innovative campaigns.

Her expertise lies in various areas, including user acquisition and retention, paid search, SEO, conversion rate optimization, web and product analytics, marketing automation (email), and content marketing.

Best for tailored customer engagement

10


Outstanding
9.1
a man in a green shirt smiling at the camera

Rob G.

Marketing solutions consultant

Experience

20+ years


Country

UK


Industry focus

Gaming | Art & entertainment

Rob is a seasoned Growth Marketer with an impressive 20-year track record of cultivating highly engaged customer bases for some of the most groundbreaking entertainment brands globally.

  • Marketing strategy
  • Growth hacking
  • Tracking and implementation
  • SEO
  • App store optimization
  • Search ads

With a results-oriented approach, he excels in swiftly guiding existing companies back onto the trajectory of profitable growth and return on investment (ROI).

Additionally, Rob has a knack for crafting compelling go-to-market strategies tailored to establish exciting new brands in the market.



What does a marketing consultant do?

Freelance marketing consultants offer various services to help business owners improve their marketing efforts and achieve their goals. Here are some of their key responsibilities:

Strategy development 

Marketing professionals work closely with businesses to develop comprehensive marketing strategies tailored to their objectives. They conduct market research, analyze competition, identify target audiences, and define key messaging and positioning.

Campaign planning and execution

Content marketers help plan and execute marketing campaigns across various digital, traditional, and social media channels. They develop campaign timelines, create content, manage marketing budgets, and monitor campaign performance.

Market research and analysis 

Marketing consultants conduct in-depth market research to understand consumer behavior, market trends, and industry insights. They analyze data, identify target market segments, and recommend strategies to boost sales based on market findings.

Sometimes, they may even talk to the brand's target customers to create strategies that improve customer retention. They may also use Google Analytics 4 to study user behavior on the brand's site and other digital channels.

Brand development 

Freelance consultants help businesses develop and refine their brand identity, including brand messaging, visual elements, and positioning. They ensure consistency across all marketing materials and channels to build a strong and recognizable brand.

Performance tracking and reporting 

Marketing consultants monitor campaign performance using various tools, track key metrics, and provide detailed reports to assess the effectiveness of marketing initiatives. They use data-driven insights to make recommendations for optimization and improvement.

Why do you need a marketing consultant?

A marketing consultant plays a vital role in helping businesses navigate the complex and ever-evolving marketing landscape. Here are a few reasons why you might need to hire a marketing consultant:

  • Expertise and Experience: Marketing consultants bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. They have a deep understanding of marketing strategies, industry trends, and consumer behavior, allowing them to provide valuable insights and guidance tailored to your business.
  • Fresh Perspective: An outside perspective can be invaluable when evaluating your current marketing plan. An expert marketer can identify areas for improvement, uncover new opportunities, and offer innovative strategies to help you achieve your goals.
  • Efficiency and Focus: Running a successful marketing campaign requires time, effort, and resources. Hiring a marketing specialist can free up your internal team to focus on other core business functions while the consultant handles the digital marketing strategy and execution.
  • Specialized Skills: Consultants often specialize in specific areas of expertise, such as social media marketing, SEO, content marketing, or paid advertising. Hiring a consultant can provide the expertise you need if you require specialized knowledge or want to leverage a specific marketing channel.

How much does a marketing consultant charge?

The cost of hiring a marketing consultant can vary depending on various factors, such as the consultant's experience, expertise, location, and project scope. Marketing consultants typically charge either an hourly rate or a project-based fee. Hourly rates can range from $75 to $250 per hour, while project-based fees can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands.

It's important to keep in mind that the value provided by a consultant often exceeds the cost. Their expertise can lead to improved marketing results, increased brand visibility, and, ultimately, a positive return on investment. When considering the cost of a marketing consultant, it's essential to weigh the potential benefits against the investment.

Must-have skills for any marketing consultant

To be an effective marketing consultant, individuals need to possess various skills. Here are five essential skills that any marketing consultant should have:

Strategic thinking 

Experienced consultants should be able to think strategically and develop comprehensive marketing strategies aligned with business goals.

Market research

Conducting thorough market research and understanding consumer behavior is crucial for crafting effective marketing campaigns.

Digital marketing expertise 

Proficiency in digital marketing channels, including social media, SEO, content marketing, and paid advertising, is essential in today's digital age.

Analytical skills 

Consultants should possess strong analytical skills to interpret data, track campaign performance, and make data-driven recommendations.

Communication and collaboration 

Effective communication and collaboration skills are necessary to work closely with clients, understand their needs, and build strong relationships.

Marketing consultant checklist

Before hiring a marketing consultant, consider the following checklist to ensure a successful partnership:

  • Reputation and Experience: Research the consultant's reputation and past client experiences. Look for testimonials, case studies, and examples of successful campaigns they have worked on.
  • Industry Knowledge: Find an independent consultant who has experience in your industry or a similar market. They will have a better understanding of your target audience and industry-specific challenges.
  • Clear Communication: Ensure the consultant has excellent communication skills and can effectively convey their ideas, strategies, and progress to you and your team.
  • Proven Track Record: Look for evidence of the consultant's success in achieving marketing goals for their clients. Ask for references or examples of measurable results they have achieved.
  • Adaptability: Marketing is a constantly evolving field, so it's crucial to find a consultant who can adapt to changes in technology, trends, and consumer behavior.

Questions you should ask your marketing candidate

When interviewing potential marketing consultants, consider asking the following questions to see if they are a good fit:

  • Can you provide examples of successful marketing campaigns you have implemented?
  • How do you stay updated on the latest marketing trends and changes?
  • What metrics do you consider most important when measuring the success of a marketing campaign?
  • How do you develop a marketing strategy tailored to a specific target audience?
  • Can you walk us through a challenging marketing situation you encountered and how you resolved it?
  • Have you had experience running email marketing campaigns? Public relations? Growing social media accounts? Publishing blog content?
  • Could you audit our current marketing strategy and tell us where we could improve? 

By asking these questions, you can gain insight into the consultant's experience, expertise, and problem-solving abilities, helping you make an informed decision.

How to hire the perfect marketing consultant

Finding the perfect marketing consultant for your business can be a daunting task. Here are four steps to help you make the right choice:

Identify your goals

Clearly define your marketing goals and objectives. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, generate leads, or improve conversion rates? A clear vision of your goal will help you find a consultant with the right expertise.

Decide on the project scope

Determine the specific areas where you need assistance. Do you require help with strategy development, campaign execution, content creation, or a combination of these? Understanding the project scope will guide you in finding a consultant with the appropriate skills.

Write a job description

Create a detailed job description outlining your requirements, including qualifications, experience level, and specific skills you seek in a marketing consultant. This will help attract candidates who are the best fit for your business.

Hire with Mayple

Once you're clear on your goals and what you are looking for then come on over to Mayple to find the perfect expert for your project. We're a trusted platform that connects businesses with top online marketing consultants. We offer a curated network of experts who have been vetted for their skills and have proven experience in your niche.