Your business is a system. Maybe it operates haphazardly, or maybe it runs like a swiss watch. Either way, it’s a system. And anything new you take on, whether it be a client, project, activity, or task, becomes a piece in that system. The key is to assimilate things slowly so they fit into your …
The systematic approach
SpaceX successfully launched a rocket on Monday with four astronauts aboard. And while I’m no space expert, I imagine they followed a series of systems and processes to do it. No doubt, the system would include a series of countless checklists performed by countless professionals, developed through years of scientific breakthroughs and iterative refinements. Sounds …
How I think about business conferences
I recently spoke at a conference for the industry I consult with (coworking spaces). And while speaking on stage was valuable, the real value I got was from the conversations. There’s something magical about relationships. Whether it’s knowing other consultants, industry vendors, or operators—you gain so much by getting to know people. The reality is, …
5 ways to establish trust and competence in the first meeting
Your first meeting with a new client is critical. It sets the tone for the entire engagement. On the one hand, they’re excited. On the other hand, they’re trepidatious. They just committed to you. Buyer’s remorse is trying hard to reveal itself beneath the surface. But you won’t let that feeling take over. You’ll start …
Mindshare is open again 👀
Yesterday, I launched 5 core trainings on Business Model Design. It’s pulled from the Mindshare membership and is only available until Tuesday at midnight (or 15 purchases). It has over seven hours of training with supplementary templates and examples. For $197. It’s a steal. People who bought this get access for life, which is good …
206. Building an expertise business around a proprietary framework with Billy Broas
I recently recorded a podcast with Billy Broas, a copywriter, advisor, and educator who built a business around his proprietary messaging framework, The Five Lightbulbs. In this episode, Billy and I unpack the Five Lightbulbs and go deep into how his business works, how he gets clients, and a lot more. We discuss things like: …
The business case for advisors
This post is part of my 5-day free crash course on how to transition from execution to advisory work. (You can enroll in the full email sequence by subscribing here). It’s all about the case for advisory services: why they’re uniquely valuable independent of hands work and deliverables. Let’s get into it… *** There are …
Advisors don’t just sell advice
A lot of people think consultants have no skin in the game. They wave their hands, give advice, and leave the client alone to implement. But when it comes to consulting on marketing, the most effective ones combine advice with other proprietary assets. These assets give you leverage. They’re your relationships, expertise, and materials you’ve …
This is what’s holding you back from selling strategy without the execution
A lot of smart folks I speak with struggle to sell strategy separately from execution. It feels like they have to be sold together or not at all. The thing is, as long as you’re offering your hands for sale, people will always want it instead. But the problem is, once they see your hands …
The highest leverage thing you can do in your freelance or consulting practice (#202)
The other day, I replied to a Twitter friend’s (@RodBurkert) open question: My question: What is the ‘right next best thing’ you should do to create the biggest leverage and productivity boost for your practice? I replied with the following: Taking the expertise in your head and putting it into writing/audio/video, then organizing it into …