Part-time marketing lead for growing firms

Growing small and mid-sized businesses, startups and professional practices that need senior marketing guidance but cannot afford a full-time hire.

Monthly retainers, often based on a set number of days or hours per month, with extra fees for large projects or campaigns.

• Several years of hands-on marketing experience
• Strategy and budget planning
• Managing freelancers and suppliers
• Reporting results clearly to owners

• Check professional liability (errors and omissions) and commercial general liability insurance
• Get a written contract covering scope, notice period and confidentiality
• Check whether a long-term single client could be treated as employment by the CRA, rather than self-employment
• Check GST/HST registration requirements and keep records for tax
• Relying on one or two retainers is risky if a client leaves

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your tools, insurance and how you set up your business. Most of the work is done online, so premises are not usually a major cost.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many retainers you hold and what you charge. Relying on one or two clients is risky if one of them leaves.

Check professional liability (errors and omissions) and commercial general liability insurance, and get a written contract covering scope, notice period and confidentiality. Also check whether one long-term client could be treated as employment by the CRA, and your GST/HST requirements.