Want to know the secrets behind a successful fractional consulting business?

Learn how to build trust, sell yourself as a fractional leader, and land high-value clients.

In this episode, Melisa Liberman chats with Alessandro Pregnolato, a seasoned fractional consultant. 

Alessandro is one of Melisa’s clients and has established himself as an in-demand fractional leader for start-ups and companies looking to scale quickly and efficiently. 

Melisa and Alessandro discuss what it takes to succeed in the fractional space. They explore key strategies for selling your services, managing demand, and growing your consulting business sustainably.

Tune in now to hear Alessandro’s expert advice on building a successful fractional consulting business through his proven strategies and procedures.

Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-212/

Resources & Links Mentioned: Download Your Business Dashboard One-Pager, https://www.melisaliberman.com/KPI

Related Podcast Episode: Episode 208 - Becoming a Client Sherpa with John Healy, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-208/ 

Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com

Timestamps for Key Moments

​[06:03] – Meet Alessandro

[11:27] – What makes a successful fractional leader

[16:33] – Alessandro’s sales process

[25:00] – Protecting your capacity as a fractional consultant

[33:00] – Lead generation strategies

[40:00] – Lessons learned

[48:45] – Alessandro’s mindset shifts

Want More?

Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book

Visit with Melisa’s Website: melisaliberman.com/ 

Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 

Connect with Alessandro: https://www.alessandropregnolato.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-pregnolato-5472501/

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

Do you want to generate inbound leads for your consulting business? Do you want a path to meeting your ideal clients?

In this episode, host Melisa Liberman shares how to leverage a podcast for consulting lead generation. She shares four simple steps to put this lead gen strategy into action and record your first episode

Discover the proven strategies top consultants use to leverage podcasts for effective lead generation within the unique consulting business model.

Plus, get the inside scoop on the tools and tech Melisa uses to keep everything running smoothly, so you can focus on what matters most—growing your business.

Tune in and get the tips you need to launch a podcast as an independent consultant.

Resources & Links Mentioned: 

• Full Shownotes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-211/
• Download the Consulting Business Dashboard One-Pager: https://www.melisaliberman.com/KPI
• Related Podcast Episode: Episode 206 - Choosing The Best Lead Generation Strategy For Your Consulting Business Phase, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-206/

Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com

Timestamps for Key Moments

​[08:19] – Benefits of hosting a podcast

[17:22] – Inspiration for content

[22:38] – How to leverage the podcast to get consulting leads

[26:34] – 3 key success strategies

[35:21] – Podcast technology

[40:35] – Put this into action

Want More?

Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book

Visit with Melisa’s Website: melisaliberman.com/ 

Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 

Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-211/

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

Do you advise your consulting clients to leverage KPIs but don’t apply the same strategy to your own business?

You’re not alone.

In this episode, host Melisa Liberman explains how to implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to manage your consulting practice more effectively. 

Melisa outlines the power of a simple consulting KPI dashboard and shares real-world examples of KPIs, such as financial tracking, lead generation, and operational efficiency. She discusses how these metrics can bring clarity, guide decisions, and help independent consultants avoid running their businesses based on feelings or intuition.

You know KPIs can be effective.

This episode will help you break down the KPIs that best fit your consulting business model, the software you can use to capture the KPI data, and a simple one-pager format you can use to keep your KPIs top-of-mind.

Are you ready to achieve predictable results in your independent consulting business? Tune in to learn how leveraging KPIs can set you up for success.

Resources & Links Mentioned: 

Key Metrics & KPIs Consulting Business Owners Should Track: https://www.melisaliberman.com/KPI

Related Podcast Episode: Episode 156 - The 3 Lead Generation Modes for a Consulting Business Pipeline, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-156/

Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com

Timestamps for Key Moments

​[07:25] – Why you might not be leveraging KPIs in your business

[13:16] – 3 KPIs to track

[21:50] – How to implement KPIs

Want More?

Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book

Visit with Melisa’s Website: melisaliberman.com/ 

Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 

Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-210/

Related Blog Article: https://www.melisaliberman.com/blog/consulting-metrics-and-kpis

OnePageCRM: https://www.onepagecrm.com/crm-solution/consulting/?via=5d1ff0

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

Are you struggling to find time for lead generation? What if you could fill your pipeline in just 7 minutes a day?

In this episode, host Melisa Liberman shows you how to do just that. 

Melisa breaks down the common obstacles independent consultants face when it comes to lead generation and shares a game-changing strategy to overcome them. 

You’ll learn how dedicating just 7 minutes to one focused lead-generation action per day can rapidly fill your pipeline with ideal clients. Plus, she’ll walk you through actionable success strategies to ensure you maximize your results, stay organized, and keep your momentum high.

Are you ready to take control of your consulting business and start generating leads in just minutes a day? Tune in and discover how Melisa’s 7-minute lead generation routine can completely transform your business. 

Resources & Links Mentioned: Standard Operating Procedure: Fill Your Consulting Pipeline in 26 Minutes https://www.rammethod.com

Related Podcast Episode: Episode 190 – How to Create Excess Demand for Your Consulting Business, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-190/

Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com

Timestamps for Key Moments:

​[01:20] – Inspiration for episode

[04:28] – Common lead generation blocks

[10:21] – 7-minute lead generation routine

​[13:15] – Success strategies for optimization

[18:54] – How to put this into action

Want More?

Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book

Visit with Melisa’s Website: melisaliberman.com/ 

Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 

Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-209/

CRM Affiliate: https://www.onepagecrm.com/crm-solution/consulting/?via=5d1ff0

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

Are you an independent consultant or a fractional executive aiming to grow your business?

Have you ever thought about how much easier it would be to land consulting clients if you could understand exactly what buyers are looking for?

Don’t miss episode 208, where I, Melisa Liberman, talk with John Healy, Chief Executive of Whrrr.work. John brings a comprehensive 360-degree perspective to consulting, leveraging his current roles as a fractional executive and strategy consultant, along with his past experience as a staffing company executive and a buyer of consulting services in corporate staffing. 

John’s unique blend of experiences enables him to understand and address the multifaceted needs of both his fellow consultants and their clients.

This episode is packed with specialized strategies that cater directly to the unique challenges of independent and fractional consultants.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Certainly, here’s the expanded list including a new bullet point about John’s perspective on not knowing it all:

• Surprising Approach to Not “Knowing It All” as an Expert: Discover the surprising advantage John finds in admitting he doesn’t have all the answers, which builds trust and stimulates impactful discussions for better outcomes.
• The Key to Deepening Prospect and Client Relationships: Uncover how leading with transparency and curiosity in client interactions fosters relationships rich in mutual value and collaborative growth.
• Why It’s Important to Be a “Client Sherpa”: Delve into John’s innovative strategy for client acquisition that hinges on intrigue and genuine engagement, establishing you as an indispensable strategic partner.
• What Makes a Consultant Stand Out: The difference between consultants who land strategic, interesting work and those that fall into work that’s less fulfilling
• Ecosystems and Partnerships: Learn how crafting win-win scenarios can significantly elevate your consultancy from a mere service provider to a valued ally.

Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen:

If you want to grow your consulting practice, move into advisory and fractional work, and build stronger professional relationships, this episode is packed with practical insights. 

• Learn from John Healy’s effective strategies to not only grow your client list but also become a trusted advisor in the consulting industry. 
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at how a successful fractional consultant operates, offering you a real-world perspective that can inform your own consulting approach. 
• Listen to Episode 208: Equip yourself with the knowledge to improve your consulting skills and drive significant growth in your business.

Full show notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-208/

FOR MORE RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT —

• Companion Resource: Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality. Download the first three chapters at https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 
• Website:  melisaliberman.com/ 
• Connect with John at [email protected]

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

When you think of a "campaign," your mind might immediately go to ads. 

But, in today's episode, Melisa talks about campaigns as a way to center your business development and lead generation activities around a specific theme so you can more effectively fill your pipeline as an independent consultant.

Melisa defines the concept of a campaign in the context of an independent consulting business and shows how it can become the driving force behind your lead generation efforts. 

Creating a repeatable process and leveraging theme-based outreach can attract the right clients and elevate the quality of leads in your pipeline. 

To help you visualize this, Melisa shares real-life examples of how campaigns have transformed her clients' businesses.

Then, she breaks down the five essential elements of a winning lead gen campaign, offering a clear and actionable framework for leveraging a campaign for lead generation. 

If you're ready to fill your pipeline with high-quality leads from clients you're excited to work with, this episode is a must-listen. 

Tune in for practical insights on how to implement a business development process that delivers results!

Full show notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-207/

Key Topics Covered:

• What is a Campaign? - Learn how a strategic, theme-based approach can center your lead generation efforts to be more appealing to ideal clients.
• Benefits of Leveraging a Campaign - Discover the benefits of leveraging something tangible to ground your lead generation conversations.
• 5 Components of a Successful Campaign - Learn the five key components to building a successful campaign that supports effective and repeatable lead generation.
• 5-Step Framework - Put this concept into action by following Melisa’s five-step framework for implementing a campaign in your independent consulting business.

Is your goal to drive high-quality consulting leads? Make sure to listen to episode 207 to find out how.

FOR MORE RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT —

• Companion Resource: Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality. Download the first three chapters at https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 
• Website:  melisaliberman.com/ 

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

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 strategy and warns consultants about common mistakes that could derail your lead generation efforts. 

Melisa gives actionable next steps through specific examples in every business phase so you can end the episode inspired and ready to tackle lead generation as an independent consultant. 

If lead generation feels like a challenge or your goal is to grow your independent consulting business, the practical advice shared here will give you the tools and inspiration to succeed. 

Tune in to learn how to build a lead generation system that works, no matter what phase of business you are in. 

Full show notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-206/

Key Topics Covered:

• Choosing the Best Strategy - Follow Melisa’s three steps for choosing the best lead generation strategy for your business phase.
• Mistakes to Avoid - Discover the three common red flags that could derail your lead generation efforts. Learn what is “enough” and the importance of leveraging data to measure success. 
• Examples By Business Phase - Learn effective lead generation strategies for every business phase from launching a new consulting business to sustainable growth and scaling.

Is your goal to master lead generation as an independent consultant?

Make sure to listen to episode 206 to find out how.

FOR MORE RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT —

• Companion Resource: Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality. Download the first three chapters at https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 
• Website:  melisaliberman.com/ 

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

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 the future of work and how consultants can position themselves to thrive. 

Adopting a Mission Mindset
As independent consultants, adopting a mission mindset can be a powerful way to stay motivated and driven. Having a clear mission keeps you focused and helps differentiate you in the marketplace. By framing your work as solving a specific problem or fulfilling a mission for your clients, you align your efforts with their goals, creating real value and impact. 

Mistakes Independent Consultants Should Avoid
Avoid justifying why you're working as an independent consultant. Client conversations should focus on the value you're delivering and the results you're achieving, not the method you use to execute your work. Keep your attention on the success you’re creating for your clients and the impact you're making. 

Overview of Free Birds Revolution: The Future of Work and the Independent Mind
Miles shares insights from his book, including the six forces shaping the future of work and the qualities that make independent consultants successful. He connects the topics in his book to a trend highlighted in the State of Independence study by MBO Partners, showing how the independent workforce drives demand for specialized platforms and solutions that streamline business operations. 

Is your goal to differentiate yourself as an independent consultant with enterprise and mid-sized businesses?

Make sure to listen to episode 205 to find out how.

Full show notes and more information: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-205/

Check out Miles’ book, Free Birds Revolution: The Future of Work and the Independent Mind

Review the 2024 State of Independence study conducted by MBO Partners.

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

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 businesses. 

Sara's expertise in relationship marketing goes beyond just connecting with potential clients—it's about transforming those connections into meaningful, revenue-generating relationships. In this episode, Sara shares her approach to building relationships that avoids a hard sell and, instead, focuses on truly helping others. Melisa and Sara explain how you can use these strategies to build a strong network and grow your business. 

If you're an independent consultant looking to take your networking and client relationships to the next level, this episode provides actionable insights and real-world examples that you can apply to your independent consulting business.

Key Topics Covered:

• What is Relationship Marketing?
• Relationship Marketing Strategies
• Relationship Marketing for Lead Generation

Are you ready to optimize your relationship marketing efforts to grow your independent consulting business?

Make sure to listen to episode 204 to find out how.

Full show notes and more information: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-204/

Companion Resource: 🔗Today’s Companion Resource is The Consultant’s 14-Point Business Health Assessment. You can take the assessment by visiting: www.icassessment.com

FOR MORE RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT —

• Interested in working with Melisa? Visit consultmelisa.com to apply for a consultation and explore coaching opportunities
• "Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality" by Melisa Liberman -melisaliberman.com/book
• Watch my YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/channel 
• Connect with me on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 
• Check out my Website - melisaliberman.com/ 

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

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 growing consulting business, and how she successfully managed to take time off without derailing her business.

We dive into the tough questions:

• How do you build resilience into your business model to ensure it survives (and thrives) while you're away? 
• What systems do you need in place to keep things running smoothly?
• And most importantly—how do you take time off without wondering if your business will still be standing when you return?

Whether you're planning for maternity leave, a sabbatical, or any other type of extended time off, Anuska’s advice offers valuable insights for independent consultants in any field who want to ensure their business remains strong and sustainable, no matter how long they’re away.

Key takeaways include:

• How to create processes that can support your clients during periods of limited capacity
• The challenges (and surprising benefits) of stepping away from your business
• The three essential planning phases for taking extended time off

So, what would happen to your business if you had to step away for a while? Could you truly afford to take that break—and would your business still be there when you come back?

Tune in to episode 203 to hear practical advice and real-world strategies that will help you answer these questions and feel confident about taking time off when you need it.

Full show notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-203/

Companion Resource: 🔗 Today’s Companion Resource is The Consultant’s Yearly Planning Guide. Download it at https://www.melisaliberman.com/plan

FOR MORE RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THE INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT —

• Anushka’s Consulting Business: https://www.chhayacpa.com/
• Coaching: Interested in working with Melisa? Visit consultmelisa.com to apply for a Coaching Exploratory call, 
• Book: "Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality" by Melisa Liberman - melisaliberman.com/book
• YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/channel 
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 
• Website - melisaliberman.com/ 

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.