Anyone in Marketing?

[gan]

I have just got my first marketing client for 20 hours a month....almost. I will be running their whole marketing. They have asked me to submit a plan for each month before they say yes. I don't want to over promise or provide a plan which is uninspiring. They have asked specifically not for a results based plan but want to know practically what they will get. e.g. how many posts a week on what platforms, how many newsletters etc.

They want to focus on Linkedin and newsletters. But also want the occasional press release, banner designed, parter collaboration, slide deck created.

All meetings and emails must also be within this time.

I have worked in marketing for a few years but never with 20 hours a month to run a whole department. Any recommendations?

[Problemnumber99]

I would work backwards. How long will each activity take, plus time for concept and content creation, and then provide a plan for what they'll get for that 20 hours.

Maybe do it on a quarterly rolling basis. It's a lot for 4.5 hours a week, but perhaps add in what you'll require from them content/copy wise to support what you're delivering.

You could potentially run at a slight loss since getting that first client is so important?

Annoying to have to do, but at least there won't be any grey areas as to what you'll deliver.

Good luck, wish I had the guts to do it solo!

[gan]

thank you! I just haven't really timed myself before so I'm not sure how long it will all take.

I am working for a very low wage so thats the trade off I have made for my first client so I don't want to be working over time too.

[YouveGotAFastCar]

Have you promised to do their "whole marketing" for 20 hours a month?

That's going to be a massive challenge, unless your intention is to overdeliver here - in which case, how many hours do you actually plan to spend on this?

[gan]

I've promised to do their whole marketing but made it clear that I am limited to what I can do with 20 hours a month. Thats when they said their focus will be on Linked in and newsletters but also listed the things I could be responsible for.

[Meadowfinch]

I'd start with what they say they want, and use that as a base level.

1 newsletter a month of 5 elements/articles/offers and a weekly LinkedIn post/ad, to be used in several different form and hashtagged to the relevant audiences.

The first month or two will be slower, as you come up to speed with their proposition, do research and start to build content. Get to know the various partners. Get to grips with their CRM/tech.

Months three onwards should be faster. You'll know where to go for interesting content, who of their staff will provide input quickly and be familiar with their brand. You'll know the marketing contacts at their partners etc. So you could add a new element each month until you are working at full speed and using your full 20 hours.

[gan]

thank you I appreciate that. I've told them i'll need two weeks planning and reading material and then from then I'll be able to do my plan. I'm just worried they will be underwhelmed with 1 post on Linkedin a week and 1 newsletter a month. They already have the founder post every day on Linkedin and are looking for me to take over.

[HelterSkelter224]

You need to be realistic about what you can offer in that time. If they're uninspired by what you realistically can do in 20h a month then maybe this gig isn't for you. Marketing skills are so deeply undervalued - you won't be doing yourself any favours by over promising. 20h/m also doesn't leave a lot of time for measurement and evaluation. Would they consider allowing more hours for the first few months while you set everything up and you can try and automate some stuff? Also I'd be wary of creating marketing plans that they can go off and give to an admin assistant before they've even said yes.