A marketing advisor is a professional who provides expert advice and guidance to businesses and organizations on marketing strategies, tactics, and best practices. Their main role is to help businesses develop effective marketing plans to promote their products or services, reach their target audience, and achieve their marketing goals. Marketing advisors can work with companies of all sizes, from small startups to large corporations, and in various industries. They typically conduct market research to identify consumer trends, analyze competitor activities, and evaluate the effectiveness of current marketing campaigns. Based on this analysis, they may recommend changes to the marketing strategy or suggest new marketing tactics to implement. Overall, a marketing advisor helps businesses to better understand their customers, competitors, and market trends, and provides them with strategic guidance to effectively promote their products or services and achieve their business goals.

Here are some of the key responsibilities and tasks of a marketing advisor: 1. Develop marketing strategies: A marketing advisor helps businesses develop marketing strategies that are aligned with their goals and target audience. They analyze the market, customer behavior, and the competitive landscape to create a plan that drives growth. 2. Conduct market research: Marketing advisors conduct market research to gather information about customer behavior, market trends, and competitor strategies. This information is used to inform marketing strategies and tactics. 3. Develop marketing campaigns: Marketing advisors help businesses develop marketing campaigns that effectively communicate their message and engage their target audience. This can include creating content, developing messaging, and selecting the right channels to distribute the content. 4. Monitor and analyze results: Marketing advisors monitor the performance of marketing campaigns and analyze the results to determine what is working and what needs to be improved. They use data and analytics to make informed decisions and adjust marketing strategies as needed. 5. Provide guidance and advice: Marketing advisors provide guidance and advice to businesses on marketing best practices, industry trends, and new technologies. They help businesses stay up-to-date with the latest marketing strategies and tactics. Overall, a marketing advisor plays a critical role in helping businesses develop and execute effective marketing strategies that drive growth and achieve business objectives.

There are several signs that your business may need a marketing advisor: 1. Limited Marketing Experience: If you or your team members have limited marketing experience, you may benefit from the expertise of a marketing advisor who can provide guidance and strategic direction to help you achieve your marketing goals. 2. Limited Resources: If you have limited resources, such as a small team or budget, a marketing advisor can help you maximize your resources and get the most out of your marketing efforts. 3. Lack of direction: If you are unsure about where to focus your marketing efforts or lack a clear direction for your marketing strategy, a marketing advisor can help you identify your target audience, develop a marketing plan, and create a roadmap for achieving your marketing goals. 4. Need for new ideas: If you are looking for new and innovative marketing ideas, a marketing advisor can provide fresh perspectives and help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. 5. Stagnant or declining sales: If your sales have been stagnant or declining, a marketing advisor can help you identify the root cause of the problem and develop a plan to address it. If any of these signs apply to your business, it may be a good idea to consider hiring a marketing advisor to help you achieve your marketing goals and grow your business.

The cost of a marketing advisor can vary depending on several factors, such as their experience, expertise, location, and the scope of work. Here are some rough estimates of the cost of hiring a marketing advisor: Hourly rate: A marketing advisor's hourly rate can range from $50 to $300 or more, depending on their experience and location. Project-based fee: The cost of a project-based fee can vary widely depending on the scope of work. However, a marketing advisor may charge anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 or more for a project, depending on the complexity of the work. Monthly retainer: Marketing advisors may charge a monthly retainer fee that can range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the amount of work and level of expertise required. It's important to note that the actual cost of hiring a marketing advisor will depend on several factors, including the advisor's experience and expertise, the complexity of the work, and the location. It's always a good idea to discuss payment options with a marketing advisor and negotiate a fair and reasonable price that works for both parties.

As a founder myself, I understand the challenges of getting a startup off the ground and provide a range of easily accessible and affordable options for people who want to connect with me. For early stage entrepreneurs and business leaders, the easiest way to get a feel for what I am about is to engage with me as a advisor / mentor by attending one of the live events I host on CoFoundersLab. Outside of signing up for a free account or a free trial premium membership, it won't cost you anything but an hour of your time. Alternately, if you don't want to attend a webinar, you can book either a free introductory call to learn more about me, or, if you want to dive straight into the deep end and receive some actionable advice, you can book a 30 minute mentoring session for $99. From there, we would discuss your needs and explore what options might be a fit for you. Outside of the one time calls (which can be booked repeatedly), I typically like to work with clients on a retainer basis. The cost varies greatly depending on the level of support and time needed, but the minimum cost starts at $1000 month. This is true for clients opting to work with me in any capacity, but the cost for my marketing support and fractional CMO services tend to be higher and will vary depending on what is needed. For example, the monthly retainer for a client needing only 1 support service will be much less than a client needing a full suite of services. Lastly, I will agree to a project-based fee structure if the scope (deliverables, goals, and timeline) of a services project is well-defined and will take on a small number of select clients each year at a reduced rate in exchange for equity when both parties are amenable.

CoFoundersLab is an online platform that connects entrepreneurs and potential co-founders to launch and grow businesses together. The platform provides tools and resources for finding the right co-founder, as well as for building and scaling a startup. The community on CoFoundersLab allows entrepreneurs to connect with investors, mentors, and other entrepreneurs who can provide guidance, advice, and support. The platform is designed to help entrepreneurs build strong and successful businesses by connecting them with the right people and resources.

I host many of CoFoundersLab live events including a monthly networking webinar that is typically held the first week of every month and two premium member Q&A webinars that are typically held the second and fourth week of every month. I am also an active advisor within the CoFoundersLab network and lead breakout groups in their new mentoring and community program, Launch. CoFoundersLab members can connect with me on the live webinars, via the platforms messaging system, and inside Launch.

Anyone can join CoFoundersLab for free. The company offers an always free basic membership plan that includes the ability to create a profile, connect with potential co-founders, and attend any free live events. The platform also offers a premium membership plan that costs $29.99/month as of April 2023. This plan includes additional features such as access to premium live webinars, partner discounts, and a dedicated learning center as well as unlimited member search and discovery. New members can pretty much always sign up for a FREE TRIAL of the premium plan - just go to the webiste (www.cofounderslab.com) to find the current deal.