To be a better consultant hire other consultants
Over the past few years, working as a consultant and building IMMA, there’s one thing that has sharpened my consulting skills more than anything else: hire other freelancers or consultants.
I get it—not everyone has the budget to hire a bunch of consultants. But you don’t have to start big. Even hiring someone for a small project or doing a barter arrangement can give you valuable insights into how others approach consulting.
Stepping into the shoes of a client opens up a world of understanding—shedding light on what truly matters, distinguishing the enjoyable from the expendable, and honing your perception of value, especially within the constraints of a tight budget.
It helps you see how to stand out and justify the premium rates you've been aiming for.
Here’s what this role reversal taught me:
1. The art of proactive communication
When you’re the client, there’s nothing more frustrating than being left in the dark. Regular updates on upcoming steps and actions not only foster trust but also eliminate the need for clients to chase you down. This proactive approach is something I’ve come to highly appreciate in my collaborations.
Some concrete ideas: Consider using a simple client dashboard or outlining the journey during a kickoff call to set the tone. Regularly send brief recaps (weekly or bi-weekly depending on the engagement) that cover what you’ve done, what’s coming up, and where you need support and action.
We do something similar in our Nurture membership—each week we provide a quick recap of what happened, what’s coming up next, and a brief outlook.
2. Guiding, not just offering
While a ‘Chinese menu’ of options might seem appealing, it’s the clarity of direction that truly benefits a client. Understanding their unique challenges and presenting a tailored solution positions you as a problem solver, not just an advisor. It’s about cutting through the noise to reveal the most effective path forward.
Try this: Present both a premium and a leaner option. This helps you steer the client while giving them the freedom to choose what fits their needs and budget.
3. Taking things off the plate
Having worked with both large organizations and small startups, I’ve learned that everyone has to-do lists longer than a winter night and wonders how they’ll get everything done. The more you can take off their plate or align your advice with easy-to-implement steps, the more valuable you become. You’re there to save time while helping them progress.
How to implement: Early wins are key. Think about what you can do in the first week that’ll give them that “sigh of relief” moment—something that reassures them they made the right choice by hiring you.
4. Flexibility over rigidity
No matter how well you plan, things change. Transparent communication around scope and risk shows that you care more about results than rigid plans. It’s about being adaptable and guiding clients through uncertainty while protecting your time and expertise.
How to put this into action: Remember the regular recaps I mentioned earlier, where you share what has happened and what’s next? Add any risks you see on the horizon and how you might mitigate them together. This builds trust and transparency. If you bill hourly or daily, this is also a good place to remind them about the remaining time and address any scope creep head-on.
5. Expectations and feedback
The most valuable consultants check in regularly and adjust the collaboration based on feedback. Christina Clark taught me the power of “contracting,” or aligning on mutual expectations. It’s not just about what you’ll do—it’s about what you need from the client to succeed.
A simple way to do this: Ask, “What would you like to get out of this session/project?” and follow up with, “To help you achieve that, here’s what I’ll need from you.” This keeps everything clear and aligned.
Ask for feedback after you’ve hit a milestone, when the client is most excited. This is the perfect time to request a testimonial, rather than waiting until the end of the project.
I’d love to know—what have you learned from hiring a freelancer or consultant? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments.
And hey, if hiring a bunch of consultants isn’t in your budget, you could always join IMMA and pick up these lessons faster... just saying! :)
Bonus tip: Great consultants always find simple, cheeky ways to remind you how they can help and what the next step is to move you forward—because when you earn more, they do too.
Interesting opportunities for you
We save our members hours by handpicking the best freelance opportunities from 150+ job boards. Here’s a selection of 10.
🧑💻 Associate consultant - The Future Works
📍Remote
🤝Contract
🗓️November 8, 2024
🧑💻Communications Coordinator - SOS MEDITERRANEE
📍Onboard the Ocean Viking
💰4450 € and 4880 €
🤝Contract
🗓️October 30, 2024
🧑💻Storytelling Organizations - Think Local, Act Personal
🧑💻Growth Marketing Manager - Lifecycle & Retention - kencko
📍Remote-Lisbon
🤝Contract
🧑💻Design Researcher
📍Remote
💰$40-60/hr
🤝Contract
🧑💻Experiential / Environmental Designer (B2B/Corporate) - Creative Circle
📍Remote
💰$35 - $40/hr
🤝Contract
🧑💻Podcast Editor - Hot Girl History Podcast
📍Remote
💰$65-75 per episode rate
🤝Contract
🧑💻 Website support and maintenance - International Science Council
🤝Contract
🗓️October 31, 2024
🧑💻Capacity-Building for Inclusive Community Engagement Strategies - Fairfax County Health Department
💰$60,000
🗓️November 1, 2024
🧑💻Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Rapid Evidence Review - Trussell
💰£18,000
🗓️November 11, 2024
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Behind the scenes at IMMA
Within our Nurture Membership we just kicked off the Pipeline Pod, where we’re teaming up to find clients together. Our approach centers on nurturing lasting relationships and using technology and automation in smart ways—rather than relying on cold outreach and visibility.
We also had an inspiring Emerging Futures session with Eliza Yvette Esquivel. Catch the key takeaways and the recording here.
On the impact front, we donated 562€ to Hero Circle, supporting 104 mobilizers. Big thanks to everyone who completed our survey and joined interviews for our research with SUPSI students!
Lastly, we’re partnering with Work on Climate to host a free workshop on building a solo business in the climate space on the 6th of November. If you're looking for actionable tips, sign up here!
Thanks for reading,
Take care,
Lilli
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If you want to work for yourself but not by yourself, consider joining IMMA Collective.
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