Not the buzzword version.
Not the “six-figures-in-six-months” version.
I’m talking about the real work…
The kind where you’re in the trenches, figuring out how to build something sustainable. Something that doesn’t just work for you but works for the people you’re trying to help.
Let’s talk about consulting. Coaching. Offering services to founders, creators, entrepreneurs… anyone trying to get clarity and make better decisions for their business.
If I were starting a consulting business today, I’d do it differently.
How I Started
When I first got into consulting, it was simple. Emails. Phone calls. Recorded conversations. I started documenting early, which was a win, but the process? It was all over the place.
Here’s how it went:
You’d meet with a client face-to-face. No recordings. Just personal notes—yours and theirs. After the meeting, you’d debrief. Write down what you learned, what they needed to do next, and maybe even create a plan.
Then you’d repeat that process for months. Three months, six months, nine months… however long it took for them to hit their goals or feel confident enough to go solo.
It worked. It made sense. But it wasn’t scalable.
If you had 10 clients, each with a one-hour meeting every month, that’s 10 hours. Add another hour for notes, emails, and follow-ups, and you’re at 20 hours a month.
And here’s the kicker: every client was different. Different problems. Different solutions. No system. No framework. Just you, solving random challenges as they came up.
I loved it at first. It was exciting. Every day brought a new puzzle to solve. But over time, I realized…
That’s not sustainable.
The Shift
If I were starting today, I’d build with structure. I’d document everything. I’d create a system that works for me and my clients.
Here’s the blueprint.
Step 1: Get Clear on the Problem You Solve
This is where most people go wrong. They try to solve everything for everyone.
Don’t do that.
Get specific. What’s the one problem you solve? What’s the result you deliver?
For example:
- I help people create content that generates leads.
- I help businesses grow revenue through strategic content.
- I help founders transition from idea to execution.
Notice what’s missing? I’m not saying, “I’ll build your website” or “I’ll do your photography.” Sure, I can do those things, but that’s not what I’m offering.
In this season, I’m focused on one thing: content that drives business goals.
That clarity is key. It sets the foundation for everything else.
Step 2: Build the Structure
Once you know the problem you solve, it’s time to set up your systems.
Here’s what you need:
- A way to get paid: Set up a platform for payments—subscriptions, retainers, or one-time fees.
- A way to schedule calls: Use tools like Calendly or Acuity to streamline booking.
- A way to communicate: Create a centralized space for all client communication.
- A way to document everything: Record calls, transcribe them, and store them in an organized system.
But here’s the twist…
Instead of managing all of this across a dozen platforms—email, text, Zoom, Google Docs—I’d create an online community.
Step 3: Create an Online Community
This is the game-changer.
Your online community becomes the hub for everything:
- A “Start Here” thread with onboarding instructions, call details, and expectations.
- A dedicated space for questions, so clients can ask for help without blowing up your phone.
- A library of recorded calls, notes, and resources that everyone can access.
Here’s how it works:
- Onboarding:
When a client joins, they get access to the community. The first thing they see is a “Start Here” thread with everything they need to know—how to schedule calls, how to communicate, and what to expect. - Framework:
Every client follows the same framework. Whether it’s a 12-step plan or a 6-step process, you map out the journey from Point A to Point B. Clients aren’t coming to you for random solutions. They’re coming to you because your framework works. - Centralized Communication:
All questions, updates, and feedback happen in the community. No more scattered emails or texts. And here’s the beauty of it: when one client asks a question, everyone benefits from the answer. - Recorded Calls:
Every call is recorded, transcribed, and stored in a library. Clients can revisit their sessions anytime. And future clients? They can learn from those recordings too. - Group Support:
The community isn’t just about you. It’s about them. Clients can connect, share insights, and support each other. Over time, the community starts to manage itself.
Step 4: Add Value Without Adding Effort
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Once you’ve run your framework with a group of clients, you’ve got everything you need to create a course or workshop.
Take the recordings, notes, and insights from your 10-month program and turn them into a self-paced course. Now, you’ve got a product you can sell to future clients—without having to start from scratch.
And if you want to tackle a new problem? Start a new thread. Build a new framework. Run the process again.
Over time, you’ll have a library of solutions for different challenges, each with its own community, resources, and course.
Why This Works
This approach isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about impact.
When you document everything, you create value that lasts. Your work doesn’t disappear into the ether after each client call. It becomes part of a growing ecosystem that benefits everyone—your clients, your community, and you.
You’re not just a consultant anymore. You’re a builder. A creator. Someone who’s leaving a legacy of solutions that people can access long after the calls are over.
That’s the game.
Free game.