Service with a smile: As an advertising consultant, you are providing a service to the client, so you should demonstrate your desire to serve the client in any way possible. The client makes the final decisions on the advertising campaign; it’s his money, after all.
Working with difficult clients: Indecisive, uncooperative, and unrealistic clients are all part of the job, and the client is the boss; you only make suggestions. Emphasize the necessity of a decision to indecisive clients, submit to the whims of uncooperative clients, and be honest with unrealistic clients.
Networks and referrals: Consulting is a people business, so having a contact within a company will often get your foot in the door. In addition, if a client was happy with your performance on a particular ad campaign, ask if you can use it as a future reference.
Should my company hire an advertising consultant? The cost of hiring a consultant on a short-time basis may actually be cheaper than hiring a full-time marketing employee—particularly when you consider that you don’t have to train, or pay benefits to, the consultant. If you do hire a consultant, ask about the consultant’s experience in the advertising industry, particularly in your field.