Home Based Business Marketing Consultant

As a home based business marketing consultant, your job is to help clients acquire new customers. The consultant works with clients to analyze customer responses to products and services. Based on this information, the marketing consultant assists the client in creating a marketing plan.

You will develop ads, write printed materials and letters and design sales strategies. You may lead focus groups to review your materials and the company product and packaging.

Large businesses have been downsizing and are outsourcing these services. Small businesses are also in need of these services. Start-up businesses may not have the advertising budget of an established company, but can benefit from these services.

Customer satisfaction is the key to sustaining this business. You can turn this into a profitable home based business.

What does it take for this business?

This home based business requires excellent written and oral communication skills. You need expertise in marketing, either as a generalist or a specialist in a particular industry or brand. You need to be creative and imaginative. You must be able to help your client determine their problem(s) and be able to offer solutions that will give them a competitive edge in the marketplace.

What does it take to operate this business?

You should set up a separate space for your home based business office.

You may want to purchase a laptop computer so that you can take your work to your client's office for presentation. Your laptop should be as powerful as you can afford since you will need a suite of tools including presentation and graphic software and project management software.

Basic Equipment and Supplies include:

• Computer (Desktop, Laptop or both)
• Fax
• Printer
• Business Phone Line
• Cellular phone
• Presentation software (such as Powerpoint)
• Graphic software (such as Adobe Photoshop)
• Project management software
• Contact management software or database software

Review the resources for this home based business here.

What services do I provide?

• Conduct market research to determine target market and customer needs
• Develop marketing plan
• Develop marketing materials: press releases, company identity (logos and printed materials)
• Analyze distribution channels (products)
• Assist client in determining price point
• Assist client with advertising and promotion
• Assist client with Internet marketing site development, search engine submissions, and statistical reporting
• Follow-up evaluation of marketing plan
• Present seminars or workshops for business clients

What are my potential earnings?

$60,000 to $150,000 annually

How much do I charge for my services?

Hourly fees range from $50 to $200 per hour. You may charge a flat fee for workshops or seminars $2000 to $4000.

How do I bill for my services?

You will want to have a written contract with your client. You will indicate on your project plan the points at which you should be paid. You will present your client with an itemized statement showing services rendered, deliverables, and hours worked.

How do I market my business?

Offline

• List your home based business services in the Yellow Pages.
• Issue a press release to your local and community newspapers.
• Purchase ads in business and trade journals.
• Network in business and professional organizations in your community.
• Call on businesses in your local community and leave your business card and brochure.
• Give seminars for small business owners.

Online

• Create an information Web site, offering helpful tips to small businesses and list your home based business services.
• List your Web site in online directories.
• Issue an online press release.
• Link your Web site to related businesses.
• Link your Web site to local Web sites in your community.
• Publish client testimonials on your Web site.
• Participate in newsgroups and discussion forums related to your business and interest.

If you like helping people communicate their business vision, this could be the home based business for you. You can review resources for this home based business here.