What is a Marketing Strategist and What Can They Do For Your Business

You're here because you're likely exploring ways to boost your business's performance and overall revenue. You might be wondering, "What does a marketing strategist do?" or "How can a marketing strategist help me reach my goals?" If so, you're in the right place. This guide is designed to help you understand the crucial role a marketing strategist plays in driving business growth, and it will give you the knowledge you need to determine if bringing one on board is the right move for your company.

Many businesses, especially those experiencing plateaus or facing increased competition, recognize the need for strategic guidance. While you, or someone on your team, might be handling day-to-day marketing tasks, a dedicated strategist brings a higher-level perspective most businesses need to scale.

What is a Marketing Strategist, Anyway?

Alright, so you've come across various marketing roles when researching who you should hire to do your digital marketing and you've discovered marketing strategists.

So, what is a marketing strategist?

Imagine them as the architect of your brand's story. They're not just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks; they're the ones who map out the whole Italian dinner, and based on historic feedback, they know what will and won't stick. Think of them as the bridge between your awesome product or service and the people who need it. They're the ones digging into market trends, figuring out what makes your audience tick, and crafting a plan to get your message out there. Basically, they're the brains behind getting your brand seen, heard, and loved.

Why a Digital Marketing Strategist is Crucial for Business Growth

Digital marketing strategists don't just execute tactics; they build a comprehensive plan to achieve your specific business objectives. When it comes to lead generation and retention, every sales and marketing team relies on leadership to guide them through the toughest business climates. Come rain or shine, an effective digital marketing strategist drives plans forward, resulting in substantial growth and increased revenue for the business.

A strategist provides direction, ensuring that your marketing efforts are focused and efficient. They help you avoid wasting resources on tactics that don't align with your goals. However, digital marketing strategists do much more than lead. They play a pivotal role in coordinating complex strategies that are tailored to real-time data and customer behavior insights, ensuring continuous campaign optimization. Businesses that refine their digital marketing strategies in this way see marked improvements in customer engagement and satisfaction. A strategist monitors performance, analyzes data, and makes adjustments to ensure your marketing is always optimized.

Companies that adopt comprehensive digital marketing strategies are better positioned to react swiftly to emerging trends, gaining a competitive advantage. A marketing strategist helps you understand your customers, identify the most effective channels to reach them, and create personalized experiences that drive engagement and conversions, all while creating an edge over your competitors.

Key Responsibilities of a Digital Marketing Strategist

What does a marketing strategist actually do? Their responsibilities are varied and crucial.

A marketing strategist’s role includes conducting research and developing and communicating strategic marketing plans to meet a company’s goals. They analyze market trends, customer insights, and competitive landscapes to ensure that the company stays ahead. Ultimately, they develop comprehensive marketing plans that align with your overall business objectives.

Often times, a key part of the strategist’s role is coordinating multifunctional teams—such as content creators, SEO specialists, and paid media managers—to execute marketing campaigns that align with broader business objectives. Furthermore, a strategist acts as a coordinator, ensuring that all your marketing efforts are aligned and working together. They may work with internal teams or external specialists to execute your marketing plan.

In addition to execution, they monitor the performance of these campaigns through data analytics, making real-time adjustments to maximize ROI. Their ability to track and interpret key performance metrics is vital for refining strategies and ensuring sustained business growth. This cross-functional collaboration and data-driven approach set digital marketing strategists apart as crucial players in any modern business.

6 Key Traits to Look for in a Digital Marketing Strategist

If you're considering bringing on a marketing strategist, what qualities should you look for?

Whether it’s their marketing expertise in certain areas such as content placement, lead funnels, or social media, a valuable digital marketing strategist must possess specific qualities or traits that can help the company achieve its targets, consistently scale up lead generation, and meet marketing goals.

A good strategist will bring a blend of hard and soft skills to the table.

If you are looking to hire an online marketing strategist, here is a list of traits and qualities that answer the question, “What makes a good digital marketing strategist?”

• Well-Versed in Business Strategy & Revenue Generation

  • A prolific marketing strategist must have marketing-related knowledge and be well-versed in online marketing strategies. They must be highly knowledgeable about the key ingredients required for growing a successful business.

  • With both theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject, an effective marketing strategist must be capable of developing the most relevant and optimized business strategies to meet the industry’s competitive standards of revenue generation.

  • A reliable marketing strategist conducts thorough market research, stays on top of the marketing game, and always looks for ways to improve business strategies and marketing effectiveness while brainstorming new and innovative ideas to generate more revenue and achieve sustainable growth.

  • A strategist should understand not just marketing tactics but how marketing contributes to overall business goals and revenue generation.

• Skills in Data Analysis and Reporting

  • A digital marketing strategist must be proficient in data analysis. They need to use tools like Google Analytics, Ubersuggest, and HubSpot to track key metrics like SEO performance, website traffic, and conversion rates. Interpreting these metrics enables the strategist to refine marketing strategies and optimize campaigns in real-time.

  • Their ability to create clear, actionable reports ensures that stakeholders understand the campaign’s success and can make informed decisions. This analytical skill set is critical for adjusting strategies and ensuring that marketing efforts continue to deliver results​.

• Understands ROI & is Business-Focused

  • Measuring Return on Investment (ROI) is vital to any marketing strategist because it highlights the success and failure of marketing campaigns backed by real numbers. Understanding ROI is essential to finding the best marketing strategist. It gives important insights into the performance of marketing activities, tactics, and strategies and provides meaningful feedback.

  • For good marketing plans to come up victorious, they must focus on the business and its requirements. A marketing strategist’s efficacy shows in the way they accommodate the needs of the business and come up with solid ways to grow the business through well-thought-out marketing strategies.

• Experienced with a Wide Range of Digital Marketing Platforms & Tools

  • Experience is one’s best teacher, and a proficient marketing strategist must bring a lot of experience with digital marketing platforms and tools to the table. A marketing leader is expected to have an understanding of various digital marketing mediums such as SEO, web technologies, social media platforms, digital advertising, content generation, and Analytic tools. This will help them lead the team in the right direction to drive the best results. Knowing how these platforms and tools work is not enough. An effective digital marketing strategist needs to be able to use their understanding in conjunction with specific KPIs in order for their marketing efforts to reach their target audience.

  • Another relatively recent innovation in digital marketing is the introduction of marketing automation software. As the name suggests, these products aim to equip marketers with the ability to automate repetitive tasks such as multi-channel notifications and emailers. This greatly streamlines the overall marketing strategy, provided that the strategist has the foresight and technical skill to understand the long-term potential of marketing automation.

• Is Very Passionate About Business Growth

  • Even in the corporate marketing world, passion and love for one’s work never grow old, and for many skilled strategists, hunting down marketing solutions to expand the business can feel truly exhilarating. A marketing strategist who’s best suited for the job should always have the heart and sentiment to accelerate business growth. When compassion meets professionalism, magic is created, and that’s exactly what you should be looking for in a marketing strategist – the ability to turn a business around and do wonders to take it to the next level. A reliable marketing strategist takes a business-centric approach to secure growth and increase revenue continuously.

  • A strategist should be passionate about marketing and genuinely invested in helping your business grow.

How to Assess a Digital Marketing Strategist’s Track Record

Before you hire a marketing strategist, it's important to evaluate their past performance.

When considering a digital marketing strategist for your business, their track record plays a critical role in determining if they’re the right fit. Here are some key ways to assess their performance and ensure they have the experience and results to meet your business needs.

Here's how to assess their track record:

• Evaluate Case Studies and Past Campaigns

  • A strategist’s past work often reveals their strengths. Look for case studies that demonstrate their ability to drive measurable results. For example, did they help increase traffic, generate leads, or improve conversion rates? Their ability to provide concrete examples of past success is crucial for building trust and confidence.

• Ask for case studies or examples of past campaigns. Look for evidence of their ability to drive results and achieve specific marketing goals.

• Client Testimonials and Reviews

  • Reviews from past clients are a powerful way to gauge the strategist’s impact. Listen to what previous clients have to say about their strategic approach, communication skills, and ability to meet deadlines.

How do You Choose the Right Digital Marketing Strategist

When choosing a digital marketing strategist for your business, these are the different choices it often comes down to: contract a freelancer, hire an individual strategist consultant or fractional CMO, or hire an entire digital marketing agency. Each approach offers distinct benefits and drawbacks, but understanding the differences can help you make the best decision for your business’s goals.

Here's a breakdown of the different options:

• Contracted Digital Marketing Strategist Freelancer

  • Freelance digital marketers are often project-based, offering specialized skills in specific areas like SEO, content creation, or social media management. While freelancers can be a cost-effective option for businesses with specific needs, they typically focus on short-term execution rather than overarching strategy.

    
    

• Strategists & Fractional CMOs - Maybe you're looking for someone to not just implement tactics, but to truly shape your marketing vision. Someone who can see the big picture and guide you towards long-term success. That's the value of a strategy consultant or fractional CMO.

  • A digital marketing consultant or fractional CMO is more than a marketer—they’re a strategic advisor to the business. With their broad experience, in-depth knowledge, and business acumen, they build long-term, scalable strategies that integrate seamlessly with your business objectives. Fractional CMOs, in particular, provide executive-level expertise on a flexible basis, making them a high-value option for businesses that need senior leadership without the cost of a full-time hire.

  • A few advantages of working with fCMOs and consultants include:

    • Strategic Leadership: Consultants and fractional CMOs focus on long-term goals, developing marketing strategies that align with your overall business vision. They're not just fixing the engine; they're designing the entire vehicle.

    • Proven Expertise: With years of industry experience, advanced education, and a track record of delivering results, consultants bring a depth of knowledge unmatched by other options.

    • High ROI: Experienced professionals such as this have usually helped businesses achieve exponential growth—like reaching $1 million in new business—through strategic, data-driven marketing roadmaps.

• Digital Marketing Agencies

  • Digital marketing agencies are often a go-to solution for companies looking to outsource a range of marketing tasks. Agencies offer a team-based approach, providing specialists in areas like SEO, paid media, and content marketing. While they can manage large-scale campaigns and offer scalability, they may not provide the personalized attention and strategic depth businesses need to thrive.

Which Marketing Strategist Option Is Right for You? Aligning with Your Needs

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and long-term goals. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each option, and choose the path that best aligns with your business vision.

Choosing the right digital marketing strategist depends on your company’s specific needs, goals, and resources. If your business is seeking high-level, strategic guidance and long-term growth, a contracted consultant or fractional CMO offers the best value and overall expertise.

So, if you're tired of the same old marketing noise and ready for a strategy that feels genuinely you, let's chat. We're not here to sell you a package; we're here to understand your goals and see if we're the right fit to help you achieve them. Ready to tell your story? Click here to schedule a free, no-pressure discovery call, and let's see how we can make your company reach the revenue it deserves.