Becoming a marketing consultant is a long-term process that requires dedication and hard work. It takes 9 to 11 years to become a marketing consultant if you include the normal educational requirements to complete a college degree. Most companies require marketing professionals to have a bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or communications. It is possible to work as a marketing consultant without a bachelor's degree, but experience can sometimes take the place of a title.
There are also certifications for marketing consultants that can offer additional business skills. The Professional Certified Marketer requires at least a bachelor's degree, a few years of experience and passing an exam to get certified. For those specializing in market research, the Insights Association Professional Researcher Certification offers 18 different certifications for customization. It takes 6 years of professional experience to become a marketing consultant. Marketing consultants handle a variety of projects, from long-term clients to larger volume of smaller projects.
To be an effective marketing consultant, you need to have seen similar problems across a variety of companies and be able to quickly get to the heart of the matter. Most marketing consultants aren't necessarily the doers, they're more the planners and advisors. Some marketers may also decide to pursue advanced degrees, such as master's degrees in business or marketing. A degree is becoming less and less relevant as companies look for new, engaged, and motivated people to lead their marketing campaigns. Ultimately, regardless of the activities involved, being a marketing consultant is all about connecting brands with their customers, generating leads, and developing brand awareness.
Most marketing consultants have a fairly broad focus, so it's more useful to acquire a variety of skills and not just focus on one area. To become a top-notch marketing consultant, you need relevant training and some experience in the field. You can start from the bottom and climb up while trying different things along the way. It is also possible to be proactive by applying for independent marketing consultant jobs that have not yet been announced.
