Make money by doing paid consultations

I started off doing free consultations for Kickstarter campaign owners. I learned most people just want to pick your brain and use your strategies for free. It was a waste of my time if they didn’t pay for my services.

Eventually I switched to paid consultations for inbound leads. If it was an outbound lead or from a lead source that I called then I give free consultations or appointments.

I charged $100 per hour of talking on the phone or Skype. I learned that people who paid me for a strategy call was most likely going to pay thousands for my dropservicing offers. I made an extra few hundred a week just from talking to people.

What is your time worth for advice or strategies? You can make an extra few hundred dollars a week by just talking to people and giving advice with just basic or advanced knowledge.

empire247 said:

I started off doing free consultations for Kickstarter campaign owners. I learned most people just want to pick your brain and use your strategies for free. It was a waste of my time if they didn’t pay for my services.

Eventually I switched to paid consultations for inbound leads. If it was an outbound lead or from a lead source that I called then I give free consultations or appointments.

I charged $100 per hour of talking on the phone or Skype. I learned that people who paid me for a strategy call was most likely going to pay thousands for my dropservicing offers. I made an extra few hundred a week just from talking to people.

What is your time worth for advice or strategies? You can make an extra few hundred dollars a week by just talking to people and giving advice with just basic or advanced knowledge.

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How do you find clients for Kickstarter campaigns?

Great idea for Kickstarter OP. Do you find there's a big difference in the skills needed during consultations on a particular topic between Kickstarter, Inbound or Outboud leads?

Which one you recommend for offering services in overall IM?

Consulting is huge OP.

As I look around at the people belonging to my country club, I would say consultant is the most common job title.

If you can save a corporation $5 million, they'll surely pay you $75k for that information.

bigjayk85 said:

Great idea for Kickstarter OP. Do you find there's a big difference in the skills needed during consultations on a particular topic between Kickstarter, Inbound or Outboud leads?

Which one you recommend for offering services in overall IM?

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I started with Kickstarter campaigns 7 years ago when it was hyped. I was selling web design, press release distribution, and ad campaign management back then but I had freelancers do the work. I created some of the websites myself. You need to know at least the basics of any service you offer. You will still be looked at as the expert. High ticket services I recommend are social media marketing, web design, app development, reputation management, and ad campaign management. Low ticket services I recommend are podcast art covers, book art covers, gaming avatars, Youtube intros/outros, video editing, and photo editing. Many more ideas.

macdonjo3 said:

Consulting is huge OP.

As I look around at the people belonging to my country club, I would say consultant is the most common job title.

If you can save a corporation $5 million, they'll surely pay you $75k for that information.

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Yes! Corps, small businesses, e-commerce, SAAS, campaign owners, professionals, etc will pay a lot of money for consulting and services. You just have to get the leads and pick up the phone to pitch.

Thanks OP! Definitely gonna get on the consultancy as i've been technically one in SMM, PPC, Content Marketing but my rates are quite low and think I should be charging much more.

bigjayk85 said:

Thanks OP! Definitely gonna get on the consultancy as i've been technically one in SMM, PPC, Content Marketing but my rates are quite low and think I should be charging much more.

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Always charge what you think your services or offers are worth then add tax plus tip. The thing I love about services over products is that I don't have to try to have the lowest pricing. People believe the more the cost the better quality the service. Keep that in mind!

empire247 said:

Always charge what you think your services or offers are worth then add tax plus tip. The thing I love about services over products is that I don't have to try to have the lowest pricing. People believe the more the cost the better quality the service. Keep that in mind!

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True that! Makes absolute sense. Will keep that in mind next time sending quotes....

One last question, you prefer local leads or nationwide leads for your services? Done international before as well?

So what would you suggest in terms of getting started as an actual consultant? Firstly is really learning and honing in on your craft so you can give people actual value and help (while maybe outsourcing the "dirty" work), but what about building a reputation, finding leads? Any tips would be gladly appreciated. Also, have you taken any good course on service consulting, or can you recommend one?

bigjayk85 said:

True that! Makes absolute sense. Will keep that in mind next time sending quotes....

One last question, you prefer local leads or nationwide leads for your services? Done international before as well?

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I only sold past websites to international buyers. I prefer local because face to face brings more trust. Selling is all about trust but my clients are from all of the USA. I just get on the phone or Skype with them to close. Local leads are mostly from networking events or referrals.

Anyone can copy and paste products on the internet but not anyone can pitch and close clients whether you do the fulfillment yourself or use the dropservicing method.

Is that even possible?