Thanks to good ‘ol social media, online marketing consultants are a dime a dozen these days. The postman, your neighbor and your best friend all live and breathe Facebook, Twitter and every other up-and-coming social network. And when the *you-know-what* hits the fan (i.e. they lose a job, get tight on money, feel the impact of the economic recession), they are ready and willing to do it for less money than you. I’ve always understood this. But while I knew the trend was occurring, it didn’t hit home until it happened to me.
When I recently “lost” (substitute “got canned” “axed” or “dumped” if you will) from my longest client of four years, I couldn’t help but feel like I was the older woman in the relationship. You know, the woman who puts in her time… gives birth to ideas… raises them like children… and has the battle scars and wisdom to prove it. But in the end just gets, well, canned for someone younger, dumber or prettier.
I understand things have changed out there. Kids are graduating college willing to work more for less. And four years is a decent chunk of time to be adding value to a firm as a contractor, by any standard. But I can’t help but feel (and maybe because I’ve had a child and turned 30 this year) that it’s me. Maybe I’m just the older woman now, destined to be replaced for someone younger and more hungry.
Self-pitying aside, I have a serious question to you consultants out there. A deeper question that lies at the root of my discomfort…
Do you know when it’s you, or them? Are you not adding value, or are they just looking for someone easier?
It’s funny… A few years ago, I agitatitely blogged about how out-of-work realtors were jumping on my marketing cloud. Since the real estate market has improved, well, maybe it’s time I hopped in and got my license.
