I had a conversation with one of my mentors and he was telling me how there is so much money in consultancy. To be honest, I was perplexed because I never really saw consultancy in that light. Well, it turns out he was right. There’s serious money in consultancy. But here’s what people don’t normally tell you: the window is closing faster than you think.
Right now, we’re in this weird, sweet spot. Companies are desperate for expertise, but they don’t want full-time experts on payroll. They want someone who can parachute in, solve a specific problem, and leave them better than they found them. They want a consultant. Here’s what businesses actually need from consultants in this dispensation:
Also read: YOUR BUSINESS ISN’T BROKEN, IT JUST NEEDS A BETTER BLUEPRINT
What Makes Consultancy Different from Everything Else
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about why consultancy is uniquely positioned as a side hustle or full-time pivot:
How to Actually Start (Without Quitting Your Day Job)
Alright, theory time is over. Here’s your 90-day plan to land your first consulting client.
Days 1-30: Positioning and Packaging
Week 1: Define Your Niche: Don’t try to be a “business consultant” or “strategy expert.” That’s too vague. You need to own a specific problem or serve a specific audience.
Ask yourself: What do I know better than 95% of people? What problems do people already ask me about informally? What intersection of my expertise and market need exists?
Good examples: “I help edtech startups design learning experiences that actually work”
Week 2: Create Your Core Offer: Write it out in a simple one-page document. This is your pilot offer. You can add more later, but you need one clear thing to sell first.
Also read: YOUR BUSINESS ISN’T BROKEN, IT JUST NEEDS A BETTER BLUEPRINT
Week 3: Build Your Credibility Assets: You need three things:
Week 4: Map Your Network
Make a list of:
These are your warm leads. This is where your first client will likely come from.
Days 31-60: Outreach and Conversation
Week 5-6: Strategic Outreach
Reach out to 5 people from your network list per week. Template: “Hey Shola, hope you’re doing well! I’m expanding into consultancy work around Agribusiness, and I’d love to get your perspective on what challenges companies in the industry are facing right now. Would you be open to a quick 20-minute call?” Most will say yes. Some will immediately ask if you’re available for hire. This is how it starts.
Week 7-8: Discovery Conversations
Your goal isn’t to sell yet. It’s to understand:
These conversations will refine your offer and give you case study material before you even land a client.
Days 61-90: The First Client
Week 9: Create Your Proposal Template
You need a simple proposal structure:
Keep it to 3-5 pages maximum. Consultancy proposals shouldn’t be novels.
Week 10-12: Make Three Offers
Take the best three opportunities from your discovery conversations and send proposals. Or reach out to three more contacts and move them toward a proposal conversation. Your goal is to land ONE paid client by day 90.
The Pricing Conversation
This is where most new consultants mess up. They undercharge because they’re scared to ask for real money. I made that mistake myself. I was asked to facilitate dataanalysis training, and when the client asked for my rate, I nervously gave them a figure. They paid immediately without even trying to negotiate. That’s when I knewsomething was off. When I told my mentor what I’d charged, he just laughed and said I could have asked for much more, he even gave me a range that was significantly higher than what I’d quoted.
Also read: Presentation Training Public Speaking
Here’s a framework:
The path to consultancy isn’t just viable in this dispensation, it’s one of the smartest careers moves you can make. You have expertise people desperately need. You have credibility that takes decades to build. You have frameworks and methodologies that solve real problems. The only question is: will you start before someone else with less expertise, but more courage takes your spot? Make yourself available. Put yourself out there. Start the conversation.
Write up by Olaiya Anuoluwa Queensly
Head Research and Development
G-consulting International Services Ltd