Five Ways to Land Consulting Clients

Read time: 3 minutes

This email is sent to you and 1,228 others

Hi team!

Last week, you voted on what would be most interesting to read this week.

You answered like this:

But, we’re going to go deeper than just “five strategies for clients.” Let’s highlight why different strategies work best for different people.

That way, you can focus on the strategy that works best for you.

At the end, you can vote on the newsletter topic for next week!

Strategy #1: Outbound

What it is

Setting up a cold email campaign to reach out to prospective clients.

How it works

1. Your ideal client type is in the news

2. That news indicates they probably need consulting help (for example, they just raised a bunch of money and will need help scaling their team)

3. You research a relevant executive on Linkedin

4. You find their email address via Hunter

5. You send them emails via Woodpecker

6. You book a sales meeting to discuss your consulting services

Who this is best for

You must have a very specific service you provide.

Randomly emailing corporate executive asking if they need a consultant is a waste of time.

It is helpful if you have tech skills to set up Hunter and Woodpecker.

How long does it take to land a client

Typically in a week or less. If it’s taking you longer, then your service might not be specific enough.

How hard is this

5/5: extremely hard. Your service must be extremely specific and you need to email the right hiring manager at the right time.

How much does it cost

About $100/month for your software tools

Strategy #2: Your Network

What it is

Speaking with people you know to find consulting opportunities, either with them or with someone they know.

How it works

1. Publicly state you are looking for consulting opportunities

2. Reach out to 5-10 people each day in your network to ask for a call

3. Tell them on the call what kind of consulting you do

4. Ask if they know of any opportunities

5. Repeat

Who this is best for

You need a big network and no current full time job.

Successfully doing this means telling everyone you’re looking for a consulting opportunity. If you have a current full time job, they’ll find out.

How long does it take to land a client

This depends on the size of your network. I know some consultants in their 50’s with deep networks who can get a new project just by texting a few old colleagues.

For someone younger, it will take some hustle.

How hard is this

4/5.

You do need to put yourself out there. A lot of people find that really hard to do. You will likely need an LLC and some back office set up.

How much does it cost

$0, once an LLC is set up and running.

Strategy #3: Linkedin Jobs

What it is

Filtering through Linkedin’s “Contract” or “Temporary” jobs

How it works

1. Set these filters:

   • Job type = “Contract” or “temporary”

   • Location = “Remote”

   • Experience level = “Mid Senior”, or “Director” or “Executive”

2. Find something that looks interesting

3. Click “Apply”

Who this is best for

This is best for introverts. You don’t need to sell yourself.

Note: this is also hard to do with a full time job. Your potential client will see your Linkedin.

How long does it take to land a client

Fastest I’ve ever done this is <24 hours.

Linkedin jobs are very hit or miss. You might check Linkedin every day for a few weeks before you see something good.

How hard is this

2/5. Typically a one-click apply.

You will again need to use the client’s contract here and you will likely need an LLC.

How much does it cost

$0, once the LLC is up and running

Strategy #4: Catalant

What it is

Online marketplace that lists consulting projects currently hiring.

How it works

1. Create an account & apply

2. Fill out a bio

3. Apply for relevant projects

Who this is best for

New, but not beginner, consultants. Catalant handles all contracting, and legal, which makes things simple.

You can do this on the side of a full time job.

How long does it take to land a client

Typically 2-4 weeks. Expect to pitch on 10 projects before winning anything.

How hard is this

2/5. You just pitch on stuff, no LLC needed.

However, competition is rising since the standard projects are $80-$100K.

How much does it cost

25%. If you sell a project at $1,000/day, Catalant will bill the client $1,250 and keep the extra $250

Strategy #5: UpWork

What it is

Another online marketplace for landing clients

How it works

1. Create an account & apply

2. Fill out a bio

3. Apply for relevant projects

Who this is best for

Brand new consultants looking to go from $0 to ~$10K online. UpWork handles all the logistics for you. You don’t even need an LLC at this point.

You can do this on the side of a full time job.

How long does it take to land a client

<1 day to land your first client!

How hard is this

1/5. This is the easiest, by far.

How much does it cost

10%. If you sell at $1,000 project, UpWork will take $100 and you get $900

Note: this is the inverse to Catalant. UpWork takes their fee from you, while Catalant adds their fee on top of yours

Interesting Property of the Week

This week’s interesting property is beautiful. It’s under construction now and will be 10 units, each with 2 bedrooms.

Just look at this beauty.

Even better: this could be yours for $2.4M. That’s $240K per unit

That’s half this 1970’s building in San Diego.

So, what’s the catch?

It’s located in San Jose. As in, San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica

I think there’s an interesting play here though.

“Digital Nomading” is extremely popular now. Think, working remotely from your laptop.

Fortunately, there is a website geared towards this lifestyle. It’s called Nomad List and it allows you to market rentals towards digital nomads.

Nomad list suggests rent is about $1,000/month per person in San Jose.. So 2 bedroom units, call it $2K/month

So the 10 units could bring in ~$20K a month. My quick math on cost says $10,500 a month. (Thank god for Costa Rica’s low property tax!).

That would be about $9K a month in profit.

To be fair, there are obviously a million things to check before buying international real estate.

But, this property certain counts as “interesting” and potentially worth a deeper look.

How can I help?

For whenever you are ready:

• Grab time with me for a 1 on 1 session on consulting, real estate, or anything else I could help with

What would be most helpful for you next week?

This newsletter exists to help you! The topic that gets the most votes will be the focus of next Friday’s note

Click below!

Is there anything I can do now that would be helpful for you?

If so, please feel free to reply to this email! It will come direct to me and I will try to help however I can