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Grow Your Independent Consulting Business

Author: Melisa Liberman

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Are you an independent consultant who’s ready to grow your business into a predictable revenue stream while working on your own terms? The Grow Your Independent Consulting Business is a podcast that shares the blueprint to make your consulting business goals a reality. Each week, Business Coach, Melisa Liberman, brings you solo insights or informative guest interviews that will help you to accomplish your Independent Consultant Business goals. She shares specific tools, actionable strategies, and techniques that successful independent consultants use to create the predictable, sustainable, and impactful independent consulting business you may not even realize is possible.
207 Episodes
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One of the primary focuses for consulting business owners is generating high-quality leads. What’s the secret to being effective at generating high-quality leads in a way that’s also sustainable and repeatable? The secret to effective and sustainable lead generation is based on what phase your consulting business is in. In this episode, Melisa shares how independent consultants should approach lead generation based on the phase your business is in. She explains how to choose the best st...
In this episode, Melisa sits down with Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners, a leading marketplace that connects independent consultants with enterprise and mid-sized businesses. Melisa and Miles dive into the key qualities of successful consultants, sharing insights about common mistakes to avoid and strategies for staying competitive in the fast-evolving independent market. Miles also gives listeners a sneak peek into his book, Free Birds Revolution, where he uncovers the six forces shaping t...
Mastering relationship marketing can lead to significant revenue opportunities in your business. You might think it either comes naturally to you, or it doesn’t. That’s not the case. You can learn and improve your relationship marketing skills, as a path to grow your consulting business. In today's episode, Melisa is joined by Sara Macauley, principal consultant and owner of Kindred Strategic, a consultancy that works with oil, gas, renewable energy, and software companies to grow their...
If you're an independent consultant, the idea of taking time off—whether it's for maternity leave, a sabbatical, or just a much-needed break—probably raises some big concerns. Is it even possible to step away? Will your business still be there when you come back?In this episode, I’m talking with Anuska Chhaya, the founder of Chhaya Consulting, who recently navigated maternity leave after the birth of her second child. She shares her firsthand experience of balancing a new baby with a gro...
As independent consultants, we're all on a journey of growth and learning. It's easy to feel isolated when things don't go as planned, but the truth is, we all face setbacks in our business. In the second episode of her series on lessons learned from 200 podcast episodes and 12 years in business, Melisa shares her experiences working as an independent consultant and coach. She highlights the challenges independent consultants commonly encounter and offers practical insights for avoiding the s...
Making the leap from a corporate job to becoming an independent consultant is a big step—and it can feel overwhelming. Building a thriving consultancy takes time, and like any entrepreneur, you'll face challenges, make mistakes, and experience growing pains along the way. In this first episode of a two-part series, Melisa reflects on 12 years of consulting and 200 podcast episodes, sharing five valuable lessons to help you navigate the ups and downs of building a sustainable independent...
Welcome to a special milestone episode—#200! Are you limiting your potential as an independent consultant? You might be surprised at what’s truly possible for you—whether it’s doubling your income, hitting $1M in revenue, or building a consulting business that fulfills you in ways you never imagined. In this episode, Melisa dives into why understanding what’s possible is critical for independent consultants who want to achieve more. She shares five real-life success stories from h...
For many independent consultants, entering a new year can feel like starting over. While starting over can initially feel exciting, it can quickly sabotage your business if you’re not careful. In this episode, Melisa points out the dangers of thinking you’re starting over and shares actionable strategies to break the start-over cycle. This is an important concept for your business beyond the start of a new year. This “starting over” cycle applies to a new year and also to key inflection...
Understanding key trends can be the difference between staying ahead or falling behind in your consulting business. In this final episode of 2024, Melisa Liberman breaks down the six essential trends that will shape independent consulting in 2025, helping you position your business for greater success. You'll learn why these trends matter and get practical strategies to leverage them in your business. If you want to stay competitive and grow your consulting practice in 2025, this episode prov...
Planning for 2025 can be the difference between another year of incremental growth and transformational success in your consulting business. In this episode, Melisa Liberman breaks down the five essential steps to make 2025 your best year yet, helping you move beyond basic goal setting to create real, sustainable growth.You'll learn why traditional planning approaches often fail independent consultants and get a practical framework for setting yourself up for success. If you're ready to make ...
Are you making a common sales mistake that's costing you clients and credibility? In this episode, Melisa Liberman reveals why letting potential clients take the lead in your sales process undermines your expertise and provides practical strategies to position yourself as the trusted advisor from the first conversation. You'll learn why many independent consultants fall into this trap and get actionable steps to take control of your sales process. If you find yourself constantly respon...
Managing your consulting pipeline effectively can be the difference between feast-or-famine and predictable revenue. In this episode, Melisa interviews Gosia Fitzgerald, co-founder and CFO of OnePageCRM, who shares insider knowledge on how successful consultants track and convert leads without getting overwhelmed by complex systems. You'll learn why many independent consultants struggle with pipeline management, common mistakes to avoid, and practical solutions that work specifically f...
Do you find yourself waiting to feel confident until you land the next client or hit a certain revenue goal? This common "chicken and egg" effect keeps many consultants stuck in a cycle of self-doubt. In this episode, Melisa Liberman breaks down why waiting for external validation is holding you back and provides practical tools to build authentic confidence that drives results. In This Episode: Why confidence matters more than experience or credentialsThe dangerous cycle of waiting for exter...
Taking control of your consulting business results can be the difference between stagnation and growth. In this episode, Melisa Liberman breaks down why consultants often feel powerless against external factors and provides a practical framework to regain control of your business outcomes, regardless of economic conditions or market timing. You'll learn how to identify where you're making excuses, develop an ownership mindset, and get actionable steps to take back control of your results. If ...
Inbound lead generation can be the difference between a thriving consulting business and a stagnant one. In this episode, Melisa Liberman breaks down the essential strategies to attract leads who actively seek out your expertise, so you can spend more time on meaningful work and less on chasing down potential clients. You’ll learn the prerequisites to drive inbound leads effectively, develop the right mindset, and get actionable steps you can start implementing today. If you’ve been wa...
In this episode of Grow Your Independent Consulting Business, Melisa Liberman dives into a transformative mindset shift—treating your business as your own best client. She shares some practical steps and strategies that independent consultants can adopt to ensure they prioritize their business growth and maintain consistency in their operations. Key Topics Covered: Why you should view your business as one of your clients.The four major benefits of applying this mindset.Tactical and logistical...
In this episode of Grow Your Independent Consulting Business, Melisa Liberman digs into creating and managing excess demand for your independent consulting business. She covers why generating more demand than you can handle is a powerful strategy that allows you to build a business that’s both scalable and sustainable. Melisa walks through her “Excess Demand Protocol,” designed to help you navigate demand challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth, increased pricing, and gre...
Are you struggling with turning contacts into consulting leads? This is a common issue for many independent consultants who struggle to move a conversation from a general connection into a valuable business opportunity. In this episode, Melisa Liberman shares her BLCS tool to help you take control of your pipeline and unlock more consulting opportunities. Melisa breaks down the common mindset blocks that hold consultants back from making this shift, along with practical steps to break t...
Are you ready to take your consulting business to the next level? In this episode, Melisa Liberman shares a powerful mindset shift that can help you make more money, land better engagements, and set yourself up for long-term success: thinking of yourself as the managing partner of your independent consulting business. Melisa explains into what it means to adopt the managing partner mindset, how it can change the way you prioritize your time, and the strategies that will help you generat...
Are you struggling with taking on non-ideal clients as an independent consultant? In this episode of the "Grow Your Independent Consulting Business" podcast, Melisa Liberman breaks down actionable steps to help you avoid signing non-ideal clients, even when it’s tempting to accept work for cash flow. You will hear about four essential tools to filter your clients better and protect your consulting business from regret. Melisa also shares strategies for dealing with the emotional and fin...
Can you successfully balance fractional work while building a sustainable business of one? In this episode, Melisa Liberman sits down with Ran Harpaz, CEO of Lettuce, to explore the unique dynamics of running a solo consulting business while taking on fractional roles. With a background in tech and startups, Ran shares invaluable insights from his experience working both as an independent consultant and as a leader building tools to support solopreneurs. Ran discusses how fractional consultan...
Are you paying too much in taxes as an independent consultant? You might be leaving money on the table without even realizing it. In this episode, Melisa is joined by Gabrielle Tanaglia, a seasoned fractional CMO and head of marketing at Lettuce, who shares invaluable insights about tax savings strategies, building a sustainable consulting business, and how to leverage AI tools to streamline operations. Gabrielle dives into her own experiences, from overpaying taxes to discovering how a...
Do you ever think about what it would mean to design your consulting business to be an employer of choice—for yourself? Often, we think about employer branding in terms of large organizations, but it’s just as important for independent consultants and small boutique firms. In this episode, Melisa Liberman explores how to intentionally design your business so that you are creating an environment that offers competitive compensation, work-life balance, and meaningful opportunities for growth. M...
Have you been overlooking important clients in your consulting business? It's common for independent consultants to provide valuable services to clients and not "count" them for their business. In this episode, Melisa Liberman dives deep into how recognizing overlooked clients—whether it’s side gigs, unpaid work for a spouse, or volunteer positions—can transform your consulting practice. Melisa shares personal experiences, including how recognizing her own overlooked clients cha...
Why are some consultants able to charge an effective rate of $500+ per hour while others are stuck at $120 or $200 or $250? Many independent consultants face the challenge of increasing their rates, feeling constrained by industry norms or self-imposed personal limitations. In this episode, Melisa Liberman dives deep into the mindset shifts and practical strategies needed to raise your consulting fees and break through your pricing ceiling. She introduces a powerful tool—your pricing set poin...
Wondering if you and your partner can build a thriving consulting business together? Running a consulting business as a couple comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities. It’s normal to worry about balancing your personal and professional lives, especially when you’re also trying to niche down and grow a sustainable practice. In this episode, Melisa Liberman sits down with Stephen Dummit and Olivia Leigh of Tradewinds Leadership to discuss how they navigated these challenges.&nbs...
Are you questioning the sustainability of your consulting business? It's common for independent consultants to second-guess their decision to pursue a solo business, especially when the ups and downs of running a business feel like such a big responsibility. In this episode, Melisa Liberman tackles the emotional and mental challenges independent consultants face when trying to grow their businesses. She dives deep into the mindset needed to overcome hurdles and find the resilience to ...
Are you overlooking a valuable service offering in your independent consulting business? In this episode, Melisa Liberman discusses a commonly ignored service offering that independent consultants should consider adding to their portfolios. If you're struggling to find ways to increase revenue and stand out as an independent consultant while also making a meaningful difference in your clients' lives, you'll definitely want to listen carefully to this episode. Melisa addresses the common misco...
Do you find yourself accepting any client that comes your way, even if they're not the right fit? Do you talk yourself into taking on clients despite red flags? If you're an independent consultant who wants to land more ideal clients and take on more high-paying and fulfilling work, this episode is a must-listen. IN THIS EPISODE: - Discover a common mistake consultants make in their sales process, a mistake that often leads to underearning and less fulfilling engagements - Learn how a struct...
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or unfulfilled in your consulting practice? In this episode, Melisa Liberman discusses the concept of emotional debt and how it can negatively impact your consulting business results. IN THIS EPISODE: You will understand the concept of emotional debt and its impact on your consulting business.Be able to recognize the signs of accumulated emotional debt, such as increased stress and decreased joy.How emotional debt can affect your capacity, the type...
Are traditional goal-setting methods working for your consulting business? In this episode, Melisa Liberman dives into the challenges faced by independent consultants in setting and achieving sustainable goals. She reveals how typical goal-setting can lead to self-sabotage. Then, she shares a tool you can use to avoid building an underperforming, unsustainable, unpredictable, and/or plateauing consulting business. IN THIS EPISODE: Learn why traditional goals can lead to self-doubtUnderstand t...
Struggling to Quantify the Value of Your Expertise as an Independent Consultant? Do you want to move into value-based pricing but don’t know where to start? In this episode, Melisa Liberman digs into a case study that reveals the common challenges independent consultants face when trying to quantify their expertise’s value. If you’re stuck in the cycle of time-based pricing, fear you’re underpricing, or worry your clients won't agree on the value, this episode is a must-listen. Melisa ...
Want to set a strong foundation for your consulting business? In this episode, part two of a 2-part series, Melisa walks you through the steps to land clients. This episode goes back to basics. If you're new to consulting, it will help you launch your consulting by setting a strong foundation. If you're an established consultant, the episode will help you strengthen your client acquisition processes so you land clients more predictably. IN THIS EPISODE: Learn practical tactics for meetin...
Are you wanting to know the best way to start or relaunch your consulting business? In this episode (part one of a two-part series), Melisa covers the 10 essential steps to set you on the path to a successful consulting business. This episode dives into the first six critical steps. In This Episode: Uncover the initial struggles of putting your business on legal and operational footing. Melisa explains why you should focus on vital basics rather than the common distractions that “seem pro...
Want to fill your consulting pipeline in 45 days? Want to go from a dry pipeline to landing more opportunities than you can handle? In this episode, Melisa Liberman invites Abbie DuBois to discuss how she made massive changes in her business over the course of 3 months, including filling her pipeline, landing direct clients, and learning to effectively juggle working on the business with working in the business. Not only does Abbie share her successes, she is transparent about the challenge...
Want to generate leads by attending professional events but not sure how? Do you question the value of attending professional events as an independent consultant? Are you unsure how to maximize your time and investment when you're at these events, whether they are virtual or in-person? In this episode, Melisa addresses one of the most common dilemmas independent consultants face: is attending events really worth it, and how can you ensure that you're getting the most out of them? How do you t...
Do you find yourself being ghosted by potential clients? Does the silence after initial interest leave you feeling confused and questioning your ability to sell your consulting services? In this episode, Melisa sheds light on the perplexing and frustrating phenomenon of being ghosted, giving you the insights you need to navigate this common, yet challenging, part of consulting. Are You Struggling With: Mental Agony: Is being ghosted taking a toll on your mental and emotional well-being...
Feeling burned out and uninspired as an independent consultant? Are you constantly managing an overwhelming number of responsibilities without finding fulfillment or new challenges? In this episode, features guest Ashley Ryall who shares her experience taking a sabbatical as an independent consultant. In This Episode: When to take a sabbatical as an independent consultant Are you pushing through burnout and feeling disconnected from your work? Do you feel like your business is taking ove...
Do you feel overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks you juggle as an independent consultant? Are you constantly trying to optimize your processes but still find yourself struggling to achieve a work-life balance? In this episode, Melisa tackles one of the most pressing challenges faced by independent consultants: how to maximize the time you have available as a business owner. In This Episode: Take Back Your Control:Are you sinking hours into systems and processes that aren't actually nec...
Do you think you only need strategic advice for your independent consulting business? Think again. Many consultants believe they'll reach their goals if they're more consistent in executing their business development routines or are better able to articulate their service offerings and unique value proposition. It seems like having a clearer strategy and set of routines will be the answer to what helps them reach their goals. In Episode 167, Melisa Liberman challenges this notion, revealing w...
Is your goal to replace your corporate income as an independent consultant? It's common for consultants set revenue goals centered around what they were making in corporate or would be making in corporate had you stayed. You might not realize it but setting goals in this way can backfire for you as a consulting business owner. In Episode 166, Melisa Liberman addresses a common and critical error many independent consultants make: setting revenue goals based on their past corporate incom...
Are you struggling to get in front of decision-makers? Are you landing meetings with potential clients but then getting stuck because the people you're talking to don’t have a budget or decision-making authority. This is a common problem for independent consultants, but there are ways to make it easier. In this episode, Melisa Liberman discusses strategies for getting in front of the elusive decision-maker so you can effectively sell your consulting work. Melisa expl...
Are you feeling behind in your consulting business? Beware, the “I’m behind” thought process can limit your business growth. It might feel like the truth, that you’re just stating a fact. But, it’s actually a dangerous mindset that’s important to watch out for as in independent consultant. In today’s episode, Melisa explains how your mindset can slow down or even halt your progress and success as an independent consultant. Then, Melisa shares two examples of consultants who fel...
Are you a consultant who frequently hears “I’ll keep you in mind” at the end of a networking call? Networking is an effective strategy for building a consulting pipeline. But, many consultants struggle to convert networking calls into potential opportunities. In this episode, Melisa shares an actionable tool consultants can leverage to achieve concrete results from a networking call. Melisa empathizes with consultants who find themselves in networking conversations that lead no...
When you start thinking about your independent consulting business as a center of excellence, the level of impact, fulfillment, and growth provided to your clients can dramatically shift. You’re an expert and thought leader in your field. By thinking of your consulting business as a Center of Excellence, you can set yourself up to generate more inbound leads and offer higher-paying consulting services. In this episode, Melisa offers a detailed and actionable framework to help consultants tr...
Every consulting business experiences peaks and valleys. One minute, you feel confident and successful; the next, you are ghosted by a new lead or lose a client and feel discouraged. The volatile nature of owning a consulting business might have you wondering if all the obstacles are worth it. In today's episode, Melisa shares her five-step formula for overcoming discouragement in your consulting business. She encourages consultants to embrace and normalize periods of discouragement a...
Streamlining the lead generation process helps independent consultants build their consulting pipeline quicker and more effectively. In episode 159: Shorten the Consulting Sales Cycle by Offering a Diagnostic, consultants learned how offering a diagnostic will improve conversation rates by shortening the sales cycle. Today's episode continues the conversation by explaining how to leverage diagnostics to uncover client leads. Melisa's practical approach focuses on implementing diagnostic...
Are you an independent consultant looking to optimize your client acquisition process and drive business growth? Whether you have a gap in your consulting pipeline or are struggling to meet revenue goals, shortening the sales process will expedite business growth. Offering diagnostics as one of your consulting service offerings is an effective way to land clients more quickly. In this episode, Melisa outlines why diagnostics are valuable tools in a consultant's toolkit. Through relata...
Independent consultants need easy ways to fill and improve the quality of their consulting pipelines. How can you build channel relationships so that other people refer ideal clients to you? In this episode, Melisa explains how to leverage channels to fill your consulting pipeline. Intentionally building relationships with third parties to generate leads for your business eases the burden of lead generation and enhances the quality of leads. Melisa begins with an overview of the funda...
An effective monthly plan will dramatically improve results and generate higher revenue for your consulting business. With that said, it’s important to note a key component that’s commonly missing from consultants' monthly plans. In this episode, Melisa emphasizes the importance of revisiting and refining goals for the year, tracking progress, and enhancing your monthly planning process. The discussion focuses on an often overlooked component—the "who" in your plan. In terms of your mindset a...
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Comments (1)

Louise Allen

Not sure how this is supposed to be helpful. It's so easy to say, just get extra projects to top up your revenue. I didn't realise that not doing all that work I'm not being offered was all that was stopping me. This nugget of gold comes after 15 mins of waffle, begging for likes and reviews, and repeating over and over what will be covered without actually getting to the point.

Nov 20th
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