Startup cost
$10k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start a Viral Marketing Consulting Business
Decision Snapshot
Viral Marketing Consulting
Idea Score
73
Profit margin
41%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
2 wk–8 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Medium
Time commitment
Flexible
Part 1 - How to start a Viral Marketing Consulting business - Background
Business consultants provide necessary services to startups, entrepreneurs, and even
established businesses when called upon. Marketing can be a tough thing to get off the ground for many businesses, and viral marketing is a quick and effective way to increase your short-term gains and encourage customers to keep coming back. Viral marketing consulting companies specialize in doing just that and typically have other viral campaigns to draw knowledge from.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start a Viral Marketing Consulting business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening a viral marketing consulting business?
Costs can vary, but there are certain ways you can cut costs when starting out with your new business. Will you start out of your home office, or will you rent a small space to do your business in? Working out of your home can be cost-effective, but working out of an office space may make your business appear more legitimate, especially if you want to meet clients in person. Office utilities, insurance, and rent, as well as the taxes of your local area, will be your major costs. Computers and software pertinent to your business can also be something you need to purchase upfront if you don’t already have them.
Startup costs can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $10,000. Exceeding $10,000 may be difficult unless you have many consultants lined up to work for you.
What are the ongoing expenses for a viral marketing consulting business?
Having a large portfolio of past campaigns can help get your name out there early on. Generally, directly marketing yourself to companies in need of your services will be the most effective form of marketing.
Any professional consultant should have an effective business card that allows you to market yourself at networking and business events.
You also have the possibility of hiring another company to do your marketing, while expensive it may free you up for more projects.
Who is the target market?
Smaller companies may be easier to serve but can often be less profitable. Creating relationships with larger companies may have the potential to lead to multiple jobs from the same client, which can help secure your business’s revenue for years to come. Clients that have not done marketing campaigns before may be harder to work with than companies that have an established brand that you can expand through viral marketing.
How does a viral marketing consulting business make money?
Viral marketing consulting businesses make money by charging a flat rate for campaigns, advice, or other planning-based services. You can also charge clients an hourly rate or, for ongoing projects, a revenue-share fee.
How much can you charge customers?
What you can expect to charge clients will vary depending on the resources you need to allocate to each project. Depending on who works for you and your experience in the industry, you will generally be able to charge larger rates the longer you have been in business and the larger your portfolio. Typically you can charge between $600 to $1,200 per hour if you are working directly with clients. Managers or younger consultants working with you will be able to charge around $400 to $900 per hour. Many Pre-MBA Consultants can charge upwards of $250 per hour.
Charging clients a percentage of revenue or sales can also make sense when dealing with larger companies. 10% to 20% is not unheard of, though anything larger would be outrageous.
Keep in mind that many clients may also pay for your travel expenses and other services out of pocket.
How much profit can a viral marketing consulting business make?
Profit margins for consulting businesses typically remain high if you have fewer members in your company. Typically, you can expect between 10% to 12% during a typical business year.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Having successful campaigns that resonate with your target audience is essential, as you may become known based on your campaigns instead of your company. Exploring what your competitors are doing successfully may also help you get an edge.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at a viral marketing consulting business?
Typical days will vary depending on the ongoing projects you are working on, but activities can include: meeting with clients (either in person or via video conferencing), giving presentations, and recommendations to your clients. Much of your time will be spent planning the next big viral event, video, or marketing push. Planning and scheduling is an important part of any successful consulting business but especially when it comes to marketing. Launching the right campaign at the right time can be the difference between a big hit and a dud.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful viral marketing consulting business?
Any business consultant should have some level of experience in the industry they are trying to tackle — in this case, that industry is marketing. Having a marketing degree, years of experience working for another company, and a portfolio of successful marketing campaigns will help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Other skills or job experience can also provide you with insider knowledge when dealing with clients in these industries. If you look at Upwork’s Top Viral Marketers in the United States, you can get a clear understanding of just how specialized some consults are.
Things like Healthcare, Insurance, Credit Cards, Pharmaceuticals, and other heavily regulated industries may have specific rules and regulations when it comes to marketing and advertising, thus having a background in one of these fields can be a powerful asset when it comes to helping clients in these fields.
What is the growth potential for a viral marketing consulting business?
Many consulting firms start small, with either one or two people helping a small list of clients or one or two big clients. Generally, you will be limited by the size of your company, and since viral marketing requires a specific set of knowledge and experience, it can be difficult to find others who can fill the roles you will need. The growth of your company will generally be to free you or the other experienced consultants from doing things like bookkeeping, human resources, and other support staff roles, allowing you to spend more time with your clients and less time running the business.
Sometimes after several years, the business owner may transition into a more managerial role once several experienced consultants are hired.
If you want growth, networking to find like-minded people will be a key skill.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a viral marketing consulting business?
Many consulting businesses look for “anchor clients.” Anchor clients are clients that are large enough to support your business with a significant chunk of revenue. Whether through large and expensive campaigns or multiple projects spread across several quarters, anchor clients can provide a stable source of revenue.
Leveraging your experience from before you started your business will also be critical. By having a list of potential clients from your previous work, you can get your start based on recommendations and then expand from there. For example, if you worked in the accounting sector you should have numerous resources and connections to draw from when considering the needs of your clients within that sector.
How and when to build a team
When the number of clients or the scope of your clients’ projects becomes too much for you to handle, you need to assemble a team. As your company grows, you may find yourself managing other consultants rather than working with clients directly. You may find yourself in need of a manager if you wish to continue working face to face with clients.
Always remember that you can stay small if you wish to do so. Many consulting companies never grow beyond their initial founding members.
Part 2 - Is a Viral Marketing Consulting business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your Viral Marketing Consulting business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your Viral Marketing Consulting Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Viral Marketing Consulting business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
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Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
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Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
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Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
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Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
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Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
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Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
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Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
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Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
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Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.