Consulting is never structured arbitrarily. You don’t see many clients give their consultants carte blanche, a blank check, no timeline, vague goals, and the flexibility to spill company secrets to whoever they feel like. So while some clients might take a more hands-off approach towards their relationships with consultants, they almost always set some terms that shape how those contractors operate — and those terms are typically set in what’s known as a consulting agreement. Here, we’ll take a look at what a consulting agreement is, look at some of the key components you’ll typically find in one, and see an example of what one might look like. Let’s jump in. Virtually every project a company brings a consultant on for should be shaped and guided … [Read More...]

The digital world grows larger every day, and it can be hard to keep up. Navigating the ever-changing digital landscape is a challenge — especially if you have a business of your own and are struggling to market yourself and make sales. But you don’t have to tackle the trials and tribulations of digital transformation alone. Professionals known as digital consultants can help you reach your goals with their extensive knowledge — and you don’t have to be a part of a massive corporation to invest in their services. And if you’re tech-savvy with an understanding of the ins and outs of SEO, user-friendly design, social media, and other key virtual practices, you might consider pursuing a side hustle or full-time gig in … [Read More...]

Maybe you’ve been working in your industry forever, or perhaps you’re relatively new to your field but have discovered that you’ve got quite a knack for making things better. Either way, you might have heard the term “independent consultant” kicked around and wondered whether or not this career move is for you. Before you march into your boss’s office with your letter of resignation in hand, let’s take a closer look at what an independent consultant is, the benefits and drawbacks of becoming one, the expected salary, and what you need to be successful. Independent consultants can work in any field, using their backgrounds and considerable know-how to shed light on any gaps or deficiencies in a company’s operations. The position is often conflated with another … [Read More...]

If you ask any consultant, freelancer, or other “gig” worker what the hardest part of their job is, most will likely say “pricing my services.” Determining the value of your services is often tied up in your own self-worth, making this conversation even trickier for most people. For example, if you’ve worked as an employee for the last 30 years and never made more than $50 an hour, it might seem inconceivable that your services are worth $100 an hour. You might think that charging too much will put you out of business before you can even hang your shingle. However, there may actually be more danger in charging too little. Let’s dive into the psychology of pricing — along with the different methods and factors … [Read More...]

It might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s still worth noting — buyers want to be understood. According to a report from Salesforce, 84% of business buyers are more likely to buy from sales reps who understand their goals. That same study also found that 57% of those buyers believe reps lack adequate knowledge of their business. So while it might be obvious that buyers want sales reps to be hip to their specific interests and circumstances, developing that kind of understanding isn’t so straightforward. One way to get there is through a methodology known as consultative selling. Let’s explore the concept further, check out some consultative selling tactics, review the process, and see an example of what it might look like in practice. Needs-based … [Read More...]

You decided to launch your own consulting gig to put your expertise to good use — congratulations! The job outlook for consultants is expected to increase by 14% through 2028, proving there is plenty of opportunity in this growing field. While there are increasing opportunities for consultants, you’ll need a steady stream of clients to sustain a consulting business. Let’s walk through fast tips to help you land more consulting clients. 1. Identify your ideal client. Before you set out to sign more clients, you first need to understand who your ideal client is. List the key qualities and attributes your ideal client has. This will help shape your client outreach strategy to ensure you’re getting in front of the right audience. Here are a few questions to consider: … [Read More...]

According to Statista, the consulting market size in the United States reached a value of $64.4 billion in 2020 — a figure that isn’t covered exclusively by massive firms catering to corporations. The market for small business consulting is also incredibly lucrative, and the practice itself can involve rewarding, engaging work. If you’re an expert in your field, whether it’s sales, marketing, IT, or finances, you can make good money as a small business consultant. Below, we’ll review what small business consulting entails, what services are offered, how to start a small business consulting firm, how to become an independent small business consultant, and take a look at pricing and compensation in the practice. Consultants can be an important tool for small businesses that can’t afford full-time … [Read More...]

Imagine you’re an executive for a popular magazine in the middle of a dilemma. You’re noticing that your website is gaining traction while your physical copy sales are declining. You don’t have a great grasp on how web publications work, so this shift is putting you in a bind. You need to figure out a course of action quickly, but aren’t sure where to start. If you were in this predicament, you would consider bringing in someone called a strategy consultant. Strategy consultants have a presence in virtually every industry and can give an outside, expert perspective on business challenges. They offer fresh, objective takes on difficult issues and ensure that businesses are considering every angle when it comes to big decisions.In this article, I’ll explain … [Read More...]

Wouldn’t growing your consulting business be so much easier if you felt comfortable promoting yourself? If you’re an introvert, you may feel like if you could force yourself to be more extroverted, sales and marketing would be a breeze. Not to worry, being more introverted doesn’t mean you’re doomed to having low client conversion rates. You don’t need a change in personality, but you could benefit from changing your mindset. Kristen Gallagher, onboarding consultant and CEO of Edify, used to struggle with promoting herself. When she started her consulting business, she thought marketing was about automated outreach. Sales were about “closing deals.” When Kristen reached out for help, we didn’t start working on her tactics. We started by changing her mind about marketing and selling. Marketing … [Read More...]

Have you ever faced a problem — business-related or otherwise — and needed an objective perspective to help solve it? This is likely something that everyone has experienced. On the other hand, have you ever worked with a friend or coworker to provide an unbiased outlook on an issue? If you have, you’ve consulted with them. If you’re passionate about helping others succeed by providing niche expertise that’s been honed by years of education, experience, and skill development, a career in consulting may be for you. We’ve compiled this guide to dig deeper into the wild, lucrative world of consulting — and how to start and market a consulting business of your own. What is consulting? Consulting is the process of providing expert advice, opinion, and/… [Read More...]

You’ve just wrapped up a call with a prospective consulting client. They’re interested in working with you. Congratulations! If you’ve found your way to this blog post, it’s safe to assume you now need to develop a consulting proposal for this client — and you need help doing so. Many prospective clients request proposals before officially signing on the dotted line. Why? In short, a consulting proposal outlines your working relationship so that both parties can stay aligned and understand the other’s expectations. Proposals aren’t paper formalities — they signify the start of an important client-consultant relationship. In this post, I’ll explain how to write a consulting proposal that your prospective clients can’t resist. How to Write a Consulting Proposal Knowing how to write a clear, … [Read More...]

Working as a consultant can be a tricky, uncertain game at points. It can be exhausting to bounce from client to client, charging an hourly rate without any guarantee of where your next payday is coming from. And even when business is going well, the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re set financially for an extended period of time can be an attractive prospect. Of all the pricing methods a consultant can operate by, there’s one that provides that kind of professional serenity better than any other — implementing a consulting retainer. That model allows you to know for sure that your income will be immediate, secure, and paid in full. But the method comes with its share of drawbacks, so it’s important to thoroughly … [Read More...]