How to Start a Consulting Business (and Get Clients Fast)
- Brianca Johnson
- Aug 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Starting a consulting business is one of the best ways to take your hard-earned expertise and turn it into consistent income, impact, and independence. But let’s be real—it’s also easy to get stuck in the weeds: What should I offer? How do I get clients? Am I even ready to do this?
Friend, you already have what it takes. You’ve been doing this work for years. The real challenge isn’t your ability—it’s having a simple, strategic plan to launch and grow a profitable consulting business without burning yourself out.
Here’s exactly how to start a consulting business—and how to start getting clients without posting on social media 24/7.
1. Get Clear on Your Expertise and Offer
The first step is clarity. Before you can launch, you need to know:
Who you serve: Think about the people you’ve helped in your career or community.
What transformation you provide: Consulting is about results. What problem can you confidently solve?
Your signature offer: Package your skills into one clear, compelling service (not 10 different ones).
💡 Pro Tip: Most beginners make the mistake of offering everything to everyone. The riches are in the niches—focus on one offer that gets results and you’ll stand out as the go-to expert.
2. Create Your Consulting Framework
Your clients want to know that you have a proven process. Even if you’ve been doing it intuitively for years, write it down as a step-by-step framework. This builds trust and makes it easier to sell your services.
Think of it as your consulting recipe—what steps do you repeat every time you help someone get results?
3. Set Up Your Simple Business Essentials
Starting a consulting business doesn’t require a fancy website or expensive tools. Begin with the basics:
A clear service page or one-page PDF
A way to accept payments (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
A scheduling tool for discovery calls
A professional email address
That’s it. You can upgrade as you grow—right now, your focus is getting paid for your expertise, not building a corporate-sized operation.
Wondering if there’s more to life than climbing the corporate ladder?
The Private Pivot Plan will help you quietly test-drive consulting—mapping hidden skills, potential clients, and smart next moves—all without quitting your job or blowing your cover
4. Build Visibility (Without Posting Every Day)
Marketing your consulting business isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. Instead of hustling for likes, focus on strategies that put you in front of decision-makers:
Strategic networking
Speaking opportunities and panels
Guest podcasts and partnerships
Leveraging your existing professional relationships
One of my clients booked a $24,000 consulting contract simply by shifting from posting online to securing speaking engagements at educational conferences.
5. Launch and Get Clients
Once you’re clear on your offer and you’re visible to the right audience, it’s time to launch.
Here’s a simple approach:
Reach out to warm contacts (past colleagues, peers, or clients)
Share your new consulting service and who it’s for
Invite them to book a free strategy call or consultation
Remember: you don’t need thousands of followers or paid ads to land your first consulting clients. One well-timed conversation can open the door to your first big contract.
From Professional to Paid Consultant
Starting a consulting business isn’t about reinventing yourself—it’s about packaging what you already know and selling it with clarity and confidence.
Inside the Brand You Consulting Institute, you'll get a step-by-step blueprint to monetize your skills & build a consulting brand that pays you like the expert you are.
If you’re ready to finally step out of the corporate hamster wheel and into a business that runs on your terms, this is your sign.
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