Last Updated: November 10, 2020

Sometimes, the well of ideas at an advertising agency runs dry, and it’s time to bring in outside help. Advertising consultants have years of experience in the field, bringing an expertise to an agency that may lack it.

Advertising consultants are typically independent contractors, and have built up a network of potential employers who call upon them for short-term solutions. Read on to discover the various roles an advertising consultant plays, and how you can become one yourself.

Main Job Responsibilities

Location and Opportunity

Indeed.com shows the highest concentration of advertising consultant job offers in the following areas:

  • New York, NY
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Chicago, IL
  • Dallas, TX
  • Atlanta, GA

Advertising consultants take on a variety of responsibilities when they’re hired on to a company. Many times, consultants pitch new advertising campaign ideas and help bring plans into focus. As such, these individuals work closely with the creative team at an agency, brainstorming and helping the team realize a client’s vision.

Consultants also might work closely with an advertising director to help generate new clients. Because consultants enter a business with years of experience, they’ve built up connections and networks with past clients. The consultant might help the director contact potential leads, and serve as a base of knowledge of how to reach new customers.

Other professional consultants work with include:

Qualifications

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Because consultants are independent workers, they must build up a solid foundation of connections and clients that typically requires years of experience. Advertising consultants typically are excellent networkers, and must constantly keep in touch with old contacts and coworkers to find new companies in need of their services.

While experience is arguably the most important qualification to become a consultant, a solid background in advertising strategies and marketing is also required. Most consultants earn bachelor’s degrees in marketing or advertising.

Become an Advertising Consultants

Advertising consultants must be extremely self-motivated in order to succeed in the field. Many times, consultants are able to work from distance, meaning there’s a lot of flexibility in where they find jobs.

How much an advertising consultant earns each year depends on a variety of factors such as number of clients, previous experience, and the types of jobs they take on. As such, it’s hard to determine an average salary for consultants. If you’re interested in learning more about careers in advertising and marketing, contact schools offering degrees in marketing.