I'm all about the simple life.
I'm Holly Steer, an experienced freelance marketing consultant from Sheffield. And I can make your marketing more effective – without unnecessary costs or complications.
Too many businesses jump the gun and hire a marketing agency before they’ve got their strategy set. Of course a strategic marketing agency can help you do that. But your money won’t all go on strategy. Agencies will typically assign a team to a strategy project. An Account Manager, a Strategy Director, a Junior Strategist and sometimes even a Copywriter. All of whom you're paying for.
The result? An over-engineered strategy that takes hours to decipher and hard to action. And that's not worth the money you’ve paid for it.
To be clear, I don’t believe the fault lies with the agency. Strategy is usually the first project you’ll work with an agency on. So they’ll be keen to show their value, and they have to adhere to certain processes – no matter the client.
I prefer to keep things simple, and I know that any investment needs to provide a lot of value in the current climate.
After 10+ years in-house and in agencies, I’ve seen how complex and expensive marketing can become when it lacks an underlying strategy. It’s frustrating to witness, and it’s why I want to help more businesses like yours find focus and make the most of your resources.
With a clear strategy in place, you’ll be better placed to brief agencies and freelancers, or manage your marketing in-house. And there’ll be no doubts about what activity to prioritise.
What it’s like to work with me
Know where you stand guarantee
All my services come with an organisation and communication guarantee. You’ll always know what’s happening and when – I never miss a deadline. And I’ll hold you to your side of the bargain, to make sure we end up where we need to be.
You, me and your marketing challenges
Unlike a marketing agency, when you choose The Marketing Steer you’ll work one-on-one with me – the strategist doing the work. And I only ever take on a handful of projects at a time, so I’m always around to respond to those quick questions or curveballs.
Tailored to suit your business
I’ve worked with global clients at award-winning agencies, at quick-moving startups and directly with smaller businesses. No matter your industry or unique challenges, I know how – and when – to adapt my processes to get the best result.
What people say about me
“Holly is wonderful. Aside from being generally lovely, her ability to manage complex projects, be somehow an expert in countless marketing disciplines, whilst at the same time actually caring about the outcome, made her perfect for our project.
If you have the chance to work with her - do it!”
— Claire Jones
former Marketing Director at Arcadis Gen
“Holly is an exceptional marketeer. Having worked with her across multiple disciplines and subsequent challenges, she has been a constant force in driving results.
I would have to say that she has the rare ability of being able to constructively challenge what's in front of her, if she deeply believes there is a better way, and she delivers on that.”
— Jonathan Price
Director of Digital at IMA-HOME
“Holly brings many excellent qualities to her work. From her absolute commitment, ownership and tenacity, to her belief in speaking up about what she believes in and what must hold true for the brand’s audiences - always in the most professional, considerate and well-articulated manner - and a host of practical skills.”
— Jan Gardner
Co-Founder at Blackstart
My core services
Marketing consultation
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Expert advice when you need it fast – with no strings attached.
Marketing audit
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Practical recommendations to spruce up your brand and communications.
Marketing strategy
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Straightforward marketing strategy that the whole business can get behind.
