The Beauty of Working With a Consultant Instead of an Agency

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Portrait of Ana Magana, strategic communications consultant

If you’re a business owner or founder you’ve probably wondered:

Do I need a full-service marketing agency?
Can I afford one? Will they actually get my brand?

And maybe—after a few discovery calls or lukewarm campaigns—you’re left feeling like you paid too much for too little… and still have to do half the work yourself.

That’s where a good consultant comes in. Quietly. Strategically. With care.


Agencies Can Be Great. But They’re Not Always What You Need

Agencies have teams, systems, and scale. But they also come with:

  • High retainers
  • Layers of communication
  • Set packages that might not fit your actual needs

For many brands, that can feel impersonal. Over-engineered. Like being handed a toolkit when you just needed someone to hang the damn picture frame.


What It’s Like to Work With a Consultant (Like Me)

You get:

  • Direct access to the strategist, not a junior account manager
  • A flexible scope tailored to your goals, budget, and bandwidth
  • One person who gets your voice, values, and brand DNA
  • Honest advice (no upselling, no bloated pitches, no BS)

You’re not just another account. You’re a collaborator. And I’m here to amplify your vision, not override it.


Proof It Works: A Travel Brand Story

I partnered with a boutique hotel chain that had been through three agencies in two years. Nothing stuck. No one really understood their niche market or brand identity.

When we worked together:

  • We built a content plan grounded in storytelling and location-based SEO
  • Updated their brand voice to sound like them, not a brochure
  • Added email campaigns with real traveler insights—not templates

Their web traffic grew 61% in 4 months.
More importantly? They felt seen.


So, Which One’s Right for You?

Team of specialists

Big retainers

Flexible scope

Hands-on partnership

Direct communication

Brand alignment

Agency

Yes

Often

Not really

Occasionally

No

Hit or miss

Consultant

Sometimes (network)

Rare

Yes

Always

Yes

Deep and personal

If you need a full production team or global rollout—yes, go agency.
But if you want smart, soulful strategy and hands-on execution from someone who actually cares?

A consultant might be your perfect fit.


Let’s Make It Simple Again

If you’re done overpaying for complexity and ready for thoughtful, effective marketing and communications support, I’d love to meet you where you are.

Let’s create something that works and feels like you.

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