What’s the difference between a marketing agency and a marketing consultant?

Marketing agencies and marketing consultants both aim to help businesses grow, but they operate very differently.

A marketing agency typically provides execution. This might include design, advertising, content creation, or website development. Agencies are often best when you know what you need done and want a team to produce it efficiently.

A marketing consultant, on the other hand, focuses on thinking and direction. Consultants help define strategy, clarify priorities, and determine which efforts actually make sense for your business. They may not execute everything themselves, but they guide decisions that prevent wasted effort.

Some businesses benefit from both. A consultant helps determine what to do and why, while an agency helps carry it out.

The key is knowing your need. If your challenge is confusion, misalignment, or uncertainty, a consultant can help create clarity. If your challenge is capacity or production, an agency may be the better fit.