Part Time Marketing Manager

[Undirection]

With lots of things going on and up in the air at the moment for me I have been considering the possibility of working as a part time marketing manager. I imagine a lot of SME sized businesses would like a marketing manager but don't have the financial resources for one on a FT basis. There seems to be few vacancies on job boards and those that I see are all very junior. I am unsure whether this because businesses always look for low cost/cheap marketing resource initially or simply because no-one has said 'You could have a really effective and senior marketing manager on a part time basis instead.'

Or then (thinking out loud here!) is it that businesses often just want some junior marketer to do their basics and they aren't focused on marketing as a business (trust me, most aren't).

I’m not sure but I do wonder if there is a market for this type of role.

I know marketing agency types will say its better to us an agency but IME its better for both client and agency if there is someone between managing the interactions.

Thoughts?

[technodup]

There should be, but as you point out most see it as an unnecessary cost. That's if they're even thought about the process at all. Which most don't.

[JustinP1]

As a small business owner (thankfully with a business degree) I can see where so many do it wrong. I know a small company that we do business with employs a marketing bod on a part time basis.

Serious statement though - how would you market it?

That would be the key. I think if you could do something clever enough to get a small business MD to open it and say to himself "I read this, this makes my marketing look like I'm in the Dark Ages" then you might have some traction.

[StevieBee]

Too many SMEs confuse Marketing with Sales and when they say they want a Marketing Person, what they mean is that they want a Sales Person but think this too beneath them.

I would look at Interim Marketing positions, of which there are many opportunities.

[Simpo Two]

StevieBee said:

Too many SMEs confuse Marketing with Sales and when they say they want a Marketing Person, what they mean is that they want a Sales Person but think this too beneath them.

This. First you do the marketing, then you do the selling. The better the marketing, the easier the selling.

[DSLiverpool]

OP invent yourself as a "marketing consultant" do the trade fairs as a visitor then maybe as an exhibitor, speak to the local chamber of commerce do the BNi etc.

Now most SME`s see "consultants" as people who tell you the bleeding obvious I suggest you have a very clear analysis manifesto that you perfect / sanity check with a SME you dont know very well.

Dont over price yourself in fact offer a value package of say 3 months for £x to get you into the swing of it and I guess that 6 clients would give you a decent wage (could be totally wrong).

[Altrezia]

We are looking for a part timer marketing / new business person.
Feel free to PM.

[Undirection]

DSLiverpool said:

OP invent yourself as a "marketing consultant" do the trade fairs as a visitor then maybe as an exhibitor, speak to the local chamber of commerce do the BNi etc.

Now most SME`s see "consultants" as people who tell you the bleeding obvious I suggest you have a very clear analysis manifesto that you perfect / sanity check with a SME you dont know very well.

Dont over price yourself in fact offer a value package of say 3 months for £x to get you into the swing of it and I guess that 6 clients would give you a decent wage (could be totally wrong).

I looked into this a while back but subsequent experience indicated businesses had quite different needs and so packages fitted one but one of the others. Perhaps there's a way to offer something flexible. I'm not sure but I'll give it some thought. Thanks.

[DSLiverpool]

Undirection said:

DSLiverpool said:

OP invent yourself as a "marketing consultant" do the trade fairs as a visitor then maybe as an exhibitor, speak to the local chamber of commerce do the BNi etc.

Now most SME`s see "consultants" as people who tell you the bleeding obvious I suggest you have a very clear analysis manifesto that you perfect / sanity check with a SME you dont know very well.

Dont over price yourself in fact offer a value package of say 3 months for £x to get you into the swing of it and I guess that 6 clients would give you a decent wage (could be totally wrong).

I looked into this a while back but subsequent experience indicated businesses had quite different needs and so packages fitted one but one of the others. Perhaps there's a way to offer something flexible. I'm not sure but I'll give it some thought. Thanks.

I would offer an overview analysis of market channels and potential opportunities with a meeting to discuss the document for £x if there is potential after that you are in a perfect place to sign them up.

So the "package" is a fixed price analysis and findings discussion ;o)