Marketing Consultant vs Marketing Strategist: What's the Difference?

If you’ve ever tried to hire marketing experts, you know how confusing it can get. One person says they’re a consultant. Another says they’re a strategist. And somehow, they both promise to help you "grow your brand" or "get more customers."

So, what’s the real difference? And why does it matter so much?

Here’s the truth: a bad hire can cost you. How much? You could end up losing up to 33% of that employee’s first-year salary. But it’s not even just about the money; bad hires cause stress, lost time, and missed opportunities. That’s why it’s so important to figure out exactly what role you need before making a hire.

In this article, we’re diving into two marketing roles that often get mixed up: the Marketing Consultant and the Marketing Strategist. We’ll break down what each one does, how they’re different, and how to figure out which role your business actually needs.
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Why Titles Can Be Misleading

Here’s one of the biggest reasons people get confused: job titles don’t always tell you what someone actually does. That’s the reason why it’s important to have an accurate job description with the following:
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In the marketing world, it’s super common for "consultant" and "strategist" to be thrown around. Some people even use both titles depending on the project or client. But just because the titles sound similar doesn’t mean the jobs are the same.

Responsibilities often go way beyond what the title suggests. Titles alone don’t guarantee anything. You have to look at what the person actually offers and how they fit your business goals.

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What Does a Marketing Consultant Actually Do?

A Marketing Consultant usually comes in when your marketing initiatives aren’t working as well as they should. Maybe your ads aren't bringing in leads. Maybe your email campaigns aren’t getting opened. Maybe your website traffic is high, but nobody’s buying.

A consultant’s job is to fix, audit, or optimize specific areas. They’ll look at what you already have, find the weak spots, and show you how to make it better. Think of them as a fresh pair of expert eyes.

Here are some common things a marketing consultant might deliver:

• A deep audit of your current campaigns 
• Recommendations to improve your sales funnel
• Ad copy tweaks, landing page edits, or changes to your targeting to get better results
• Optimizations to get more leads or sales from your marketing spend

If you have something that needs fixing or tuning up, a Marketing Consultant can jump in fast, help you course-correct, and move on.

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What a Marketing Strategist Brings to the Table

Now, a Marketing Strategist’s role is more about the big picture. They focus on planning, alignment, and direction. They’re not just looking at what’s broken but at how everything fits together long-term to help your brand grow.

When you hire a strategist, you’re not just asking “What should we fix today?”
You’re asking, "Where are we going—and how do we actually get there?"

Here are some common things a marketing strategist might create:

• A full marketing plan that maps out your next 6–12 months
• Audience personas, so you know exactly who you’re targeting
• A go-to-market strategy if you're launching a new product or service
• A smart channel mix, helping you figure out whether you should focus more on TikTok, LinkedIn, Google Ads, email marketing, or something else entirely

Strategists help you make decisions that align everything with your long-term business goals.
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Which One Does Your Business Actually Need?

Every business is at a different stage, with its own goals and challenges. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to which marketing role you need. But to help you get started, here are a few things you can consider:

Startups vs. established businesses

If you’re a startup and need to optimize your processes to get to your next big milestone, a Marketing Consultant, in this case, can be a great choice. They can jump in, help you clean things up fast, and keep you moving forward without slowing you down with your huge, long-term plans.

On the other hand, for an established business that aims to grow steadily, hiring a Marketing Strategist is better. They have the keen eye to look at everything as a whole, from your audience to your messaging, your channels to your customer experience. They fit all these together, helping you build a cohesive brand strategy.

Project-based needs vs. brand-wide growth

Marketing Consultants are project-focused and can tackle one area at a time. This makes them perfect for specific projects, like improving ad performance or fixing a broken sales funnel.

A Marketing Strategist will be more useful if you think of bigger marketing efforts, like wanting your brand to feel more consistent across all your channels. They help you connect the dots, so your customers have a great experience no matter where they interact with you.

Why Getting The Roles Right Matters

Hiring a Marketing Strategist when you need hands-on help can leave you with a pretty plan but no results. Hiring a Marketing Consultant when you need a full growth plan can leave you spinning, fixing random problems, but never reaching your bigger goals.

And those mistakes aren’t cheap! Plus, when you hire the wrong fit, you lose precious time trying to recover. You miss out on opportunities that could have helped your brand grow faster and stronger.

That’s why understanding the difference between these two crucial roles can protect your growth, money, and momentum.

Can you hire both?

Yes, you can, and in many cases, that’s the smartest move!

Marketing Consultants are best when you need quick wins or your internal team is too busy to tackle alone. Marketing Strategists are best when you want to build consistency across campaigns, grow with purpose, and plan for the long haul. Together, they can create a strong path to help you scale your business!

The next step? Know where to hire.

This is a crucial role, so it’s important to source, vet, and onboard the right person. Getting the right talent in place can make a big difference in reaching your goals faster and smarter.
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Match Your Remote Hires to Your Business Goals

Marketing can be complex, but it’s also one of the most essential parts of building a strong, recognizable brand. With the right marketing experts by your side, you can confidently promote your business and drive meaningful results.

Looking to build a high-performing marketing team remotely? We can help. MultiplyMii is a trusted remote staffing partner to global businesses, connecting them with top-tier talent while keeping costs efficient.

If you're ready to scale with the right team, let’s talk! Book a discovery call with us today.