I have just spent the best part of two days constructing our first agency e-newsletter with a new whiz-bang piece of software.  The experience has made me realise that although I am a highly effective PR consultant I am not a highly efficient online publisher!

As the DIY sector sees a continued trend for homeowners to GSI – get someone in – I feel I should take my own advice about getting experts in to handle specific projects and roles and hand over the newsletter to a proper web designer.

The benefits of using outside consultants or agencies are many and varied but all make good business sense particularly when in comes to PR and social media requirements.  Consultants are usually ‘experts’ in a chosen field and will often have a greater depth of experience than employees.  They can give an external view point which can be objective and unbiased particularly when it comes to recommendations for dealing with existing issues or implementing change.  Experienced consultants will have worked with other organisations which gives them a broad overview of an industry and a knowledge base of what works and what doesn’t.  Their understanding of specific industry issues or characteristics means they can make recommendations that are quick and easy to implement and have proven results.

Having an external consultant that is not involved in company politics can provide marketing management with a trusted confidant and advisor and a long term business relationship that can contribute to brand awareness and sales.