Online marketing consultant for one niche

Online shops, coaches, course creators, software startups and service businesses that sell beyond their local area.

Paid audits or strategy sessions at a fixed price, plus monthly retainers for ongoing guidance. Some add training workshops for client teams.

• Deep knowledge of one marketing channel
• Using analytics and ad or email tools
• Clear reporting for non-experts
• Selling and communicating online

• Check whether your state or city requires a business registration or license for consulting, even when working online
• Consider professional liability insurance, since bad advice or data mistakes could lead to disputes
• Check privacy and advertising rules that may apply to your clients, such as email consent and disclosure of paid endorsements, and consider advising them to confirm with a lawyer
• Be careful with client account access: use shared logins or permissions and have it written in your contract
• Income can swing if you rely on a few clients, so aim for several retainers

Startup costs are typically around $200 to $2,000, depending on the tools you use, your website and how you find clients. These are estimates, and your actual spending may differ depending on insurance and any registration your state or city requires.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your niche, how many clients you serve and your retainer or project pricing. These are estimates, and income can swing if you rely on only a few clients.

Check whether your state or city requires a business registration or license, even when working online. Consider professional liability insurance, look at privacy and advertising rules affecting your clients, and put client account access in your contract.