How Much Does a Marketing Consultant Cost—and How Can You Afford One?

Mary Jewett is a marketing consultant and speaker specializing in helping independent and family-owned businesses get more from their marketing and advertising efforts.

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How to Afford a Marketing Consultant

As a local small-business owner, you know marketing is essential—but when times are tight and every dollar counts, hiring help can feel out of reach. The good news? You don’t have to commit to a full-time salary to get expert guidance. Here’s how to budget for marketing support, plus why a fractional CMO might be the perfect solution.

1. Your Starting Point: Budget-Friendly Marketing Tactics

When you’re just launching—or business is slower than you’d like—you can still move the needle without breaking the bank.

  • Leverage free tools first. Google Business Profile, Canva for simple graphics, and Mailchimp’s free tier for email newsletters can all get you started on the cheap.
  • DIY audits. Spend a morning reviewing your website, social profiles, and reviews. List three quick wins—like updating your hours, adding a clear call-to-action, or posting a customer testimonial.
  • Batch content. Block off one afternoon a month to plan and create your social posts in advance. Use a free scheduling tool (Later, Buffer) to set them live over the month.

Even these small steps require direction and strategy—that’s where a consultant comes in.

2. What Does a Marketing Consultant Cost?

Consulting fees vary widely based on experience, scope, and location, but here are ballpark figures for small businesses:

Consultant TypeTypical RateIdeal for…
Hourly Freelancer$75–$150/hourOne-off tasks: website tweaks, ad campaigns, audits.
Retainer (Part-Time)$1,000 – $1,500/monthOngoing support: content calendars, email workflows.
Fractional CMO$1,500 – $3,000 /monthHigh-level strategy, team leadership, audits, roadmap.

Tip: Always ask for a clear scope and deliverables—so you know exactly what you’re getting and can track ROI.

3. Affording Expert Help on a Shoestring

If you’re thinking, “There’s no way I can swing $2,000/month right now,” here are three strategies:

  1. Start Small, Scale Up
    • Book a 90-day project focused on your top priority (e.g., website audit + action plan). That one-off fee gives you a roadmap you can implement solo afterward. Check out my RECHARGE SESSION.
  2. Mix DIY + Consulting
    • Handle execution in-house—social posts, email sends—while your consultant builds the strategy and templates. You pay only for planning, not ongoing labor.
  3. Explore Barter or Trade
    • If you offer a skill—photography, design, carpentry—see if your consultant needs your service. You might trade four hours of web training for two hours of pro photography.

4. Why a Fractional CMO Is Your Budget’s Best Friend

A Fractional CMO gives you executive-level marketing leadership—without the full-time salary, benefits, or overhead.

  • Plug-and-Play Expertise: Jump straight into strategy sessions, brand audits, and quarterly planning.
  • Flexible Commitment: Engage for a few days or weeks per month—scale up during launches or busy seasons, dial back when things slow.
  • Team Leadership: They can oversee freelancers, your in-house staff, and any agencies you hire—keeping everyone aligned.
  • Cost Efficiency: Instead of $120K+ in salary, you pay only for the hours you need.

Imagine having your own marketing director for two days a week—building your brand voice, mapping out your 12-month content calendar, and optimizing your ad spend—all tailored to your cash flow.

5. Getting Started: Your Next Steps

  1. Audit Your Needs. List your top 3 marketing challenges right now (website, messaging, lead gen).
  2. Set a Budget. Decide what you can invest over the next quarter—whether that’s $1,000 or $5,000.
  3. Book a Discovery Call. Many consultants (including me 😉) offer a free 15-minute “Discovery Call” to scope your project and outline your options.

Ready to see what a Fractional CMO can do for your bottom line—without locking in a full-time hire?
👉 Grab a spot on my calendar for a Free Discovery Call and let’s chat about what you need.

Remember: smart marketing isn’t about spending more—it’s about spending smarter. With the right approach, expert guidance is never out of reach.


Mary Jewett
Your Fractional CMO & Marketing GPS

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