1.14 Why Consulting May be The Best Option For Small Businesses

In this episode, I wrap up my miniseries on marketing options by diving deep into why consulting might be the perfect middle ground for your business. I'm breaking down how consulting sits between DIYing your marketing and hiring a full agency, especially as we see more businesses cutting marketing budgets in 2025. This isn't about choosing the cheapest option – it's about finding the strategic sweet spot that actually works for your capacity and goals.Key Takeaways:Consulting bridges the gap between doing everything yourself and hiring a full agency, giving you strategic support without the hefty price tag of complete marketing managementYou still need strategy even with budget cuts – AI and other tools can help with execution, but without strategic direction, you're just wasting time and money in different ways90 days minimum commitment is essential for any marketing approach to show real results, especially with organic marketing strategiesDifferent marketing roles serve different purposes – from social media managers to email specialists to marketing assistants, each has a specific place in your overall strategyTime capacity reality check is crucial – if your marketing needs 10+ hours per week, you're past the consulting stage and need team members or full managementTimestamps:[00:00:40] - Introduction to the final episode in the marketing miniseries[01:20] - Why consulting is the sweet spot between DIY and full agency management[02:10] - How AI and budget cuts are changing the marketing landscape in 2025[03:20] - What consulting actually looks like and how it works[04:30] - The difference between proactive and reactive marketing approaches[05:40] - Monthly strategy sessions and implementation focus[08:20] - Time commitments and capacity requirements for consulting success[10:10] - Setting realistic 90-day minimum expectations for results[12:00] - Breaking down specialty marketing roles: social media, email, copywriting[16:30] - Understanding ads managers and SEO specialists[17:40] - Marketing assistant role as a catchall position[19:20] - Time commitment guidelines: 1-2 hours vs 10+ hours per week[21:10] - Why everyone needs a marketing strategy regardless of business stage[22:40] - Resources: strategy workbook and marketing course optionsReferenced Links:⁠Free Strategy Plan Workbook⁠ - High-level marketing strategy creation guide that's perfect for DIYing!⁠Marketing for Success- The Course⁠ - (PROMO CODE: PODCAST) $357 self-paced marketing course with ongoing Slack community support (best for service-based businesses, adaptable for e-commerce)⁠Work With Me⁠ - One-off strategy calls and ongoing consulting options------------------------------------Have questions or topics you'd love to hear about? I want to hear from you! This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. There are millions of ways to grow a business, and I'm here to help you find what works best for you.⁠⁠⁠⁠ashleydreager.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Get in touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠FREEBIE! Client Journey Mapping Workbook⁠⁠Want me to help with your marketing? Fill out ⁠⁠this form⁠⁠ and I'll reach out!