When I ask people who their ideal client is, I often get answers like, “I serve a lot of different people/companies/industries.” That’s fine, but I wasn’t asking who you could conceivably serve– your Possible Client Profile (PCP, which is a … Read More
psychology
I know what I’m supposed to be doing, I’m just not doing it…
Ever been in that situation before? (Like how I was supposed to write this post a week ago, but somehow didn’t.) I’ve noticed 2 major issues when I’m having trouble getting started on something. A lot of folks make some … Read More
As a solo consultant, you don’t have time for a wide sales and marketing funnel
If you’re worried about where and when you’ll find your next client, the natural reaction is to look in more places– to go broader, and create a wider sales and marketing funnel. Unfortunately, this is like the snowboarder who starts … Read More
Have you tapped into your most powerful marketing asset?
No matter what you have to say about your services, you can never compete with your most powerful marketing asset– your clients’ own stories, in the form of case studies or testimonials. Are you using this asset? Does your website … Read More
Ways to define your ideal consulting client
If you don’t know who your ideal consulting clients are, how will you work with them? Not knowing your ideal client profile, and not therefore not being able to position yourself and your services to your ideal client, is the … Read More
Are we having fun yet?
As consultants, project work is usually fun (at least if you have the right clients), but business development can seem like a slog, or even, as I thought of it, a “necessary evil”. But if you’re not having fun with … Read More
The Introvert’s Edge to Networking
If there was something I hated more than “selling”, it was probably “networking”. Now, Matthew Pollard, author of The Introvert’s Edge: How the Quiet and Shy Can Outsell Anyone, is back with a new book, The Introvert’s Edge to Networking. … Read More
Just because you’re solo, you don’t have to sell alone
One of the hardest things about being a solo consultant is selling solo. People joke about sales reps being “coin operated”, but it’s more accurate to say that are motivated by competition (in addition to compensation). If you’re a solo … Read More
Consulting Positioning: 4 techniques to nail your niche
Positioning your consulting practice is perhaps the most critical sales and marketing decision you can make, but it’s also hard, so a lot of consultants don’t really do a great job with it. This leads them to struggle unnecessarily. Why … Read More
Small Business Weekly Planning Calendar
As a small business owner, it’s hard to juggle everything, but having a weekly planning calendar helps. It’s easy to feel busy without making progress on what’s most important. You can get to the end of the week and wonder … Read More