Many people expect that when they request a marketing consultation, they will first hear about advertising costs or package prices. However, Mrs. Lauren's marketing consultation follows a slightly different order. Before presenting a quote, we first ask four questions. This is because the clearer the answers to these four questions become, the more distinct the direction of the strategy that follows will be.

Why Questions Come Before Price Lists

Many CEOs come in for consultations viewing marketing as simply "buying a product for a certain price." However, running ads or creating content are merely methods; if you do not determine the destination first, the methods can easily lose their way. Therefore, the time spent at the beginning of the consultation is dedicated to questions rather than proposals.

First, ask, "Who needs this brand?" Rather than relying on statistics like age or region, visualize what is currently on their mind that leads them to seek out this brand. Only when the customer is clearly defined can you determine what words and channels to use.

Second, I ask, "What channels are you currently using?" This question distinguishes between websites, Instagram, and blogs that are already active and those that are inactive. This is because the strategic sequence differs between starting something completely new and reviving an existing one.

Two questions that first draw the borders and scope

Third, we ask, "Do you have plans to connect with the global market?" Even if you are currently focusing only on domestic customers, there is a significant difference in cost and time between adding translation and overseas channels later and structuring your approach with them in mind from the very beginning. Going global is a key pillar that Mrs. Lauren takes care of from the initial stages of marketing consultation.

Fourth, I ask, "To what extent do you want to entrust planning, production, and promotion to a single team?" Some CEOs want to handle the entire process, while others want to fill in just one missing part. Since Mrs. Lauren has a single team overseeing the three stages of Plan, Create, and Go Global from start to finish, it is more comfortable for everyone if we clearly define exactly where we will work together.

What happens after the question is finished

Only when the answers to the four questions are gathered do concrete proposals emerge. They are organized in a sequential order, covering everything from which channels to organize first and which languages to translate into, to whether platforms such as a website, online store, or reservation system are necessary. We have confirmed many times that skipping steps and rushing execution results in greater costs later on.

I often hear people say they are at a loss as to what to prepare because they are new to marketing. The necessary items do not have to be elaborate. Simply organizing your thoughts on these four questions in advance will make the consultation time much clearer.

What you can do right now is write a note. Just write down four lines: 'Who needs our brand?', 'What channels are you currently using?', 'Are you considering overseas markets?', and 'How much do you want to entrust to us?' The lines with the most blanks are the questions you should ask first during the next consultation.

Mrs. Lorraine is a marketing agency where a single team takes full responsibility from planning and production to global promotion. If you feel lost when seeking marketing advice, please search for 'Mrs. Lorraine' on KakaoTalk and request a consultation.