• Four-part Quick Win Formula for consultants, 
• What consultants typically get wrong about speed-to-sale, and 
• How to remove the mental and emotional brakes that slow down your momentum.

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.

Does this situation sound familiar to you?

You send a consulting proposal. Or you email your one-pager, expecting a next step. 

Then — silence.

You don’t hear back.

If you’re questioning your follow-up strategy, not sure what to do to follow-up, this episode is for you.

In this week’s episode, Melisa dismantles the outdated (and ineffective) habits independent consultants fall into when it comes to follow-up. You'll hear how to approach follow-up in a way that adds value and reinforces your expertise — instead of second-guessing, worrying about being annoying, or appearing desperate.

She shares how not to follow up (including a few examples you’ll recognize), then walks you through a strategic follow-up framework that keeps your momentum and creates consulting client demand.

Timestamps for Key Moments:

[05:02] Why most follow-up feels awkward — and what actually causes you to spiral when clients go dark.
[09:45] What “strategic follow-up” looks like in your consulting business (hint: it’s not about “circling back”)
 [14:50] How to follow up with value — 4 examples you can swipe and use today.
 [20:35] 5 ways to set yourself up for consistent, confident follow-through (without the mindset drama).

Tune in to Episode 218 for practical examples, mindset shifts, and frameworks that help you move deals forward — without the second-guessing.

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-218/
• Read Chapter 9 in Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXJBGVB
• Episode 170 – Being Ghosted as an Independent Consultant, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-170/  
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://consultmelisa.com 

Want More?

• Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Visit with Melisa’s Website: www.melisaliberman.com 
• Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 

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.

You solve problems. That’s what you do best as a consultant.

But what if you’re focused on solving the wrong problem in your own consulting business?

In this episode, Melisa breaks down a counterintuitive truth: many consultants plateau or underearn not because they don’t have solutions, but because they’re solving problems they’ve already outgrown.

Melisa shares a real client case study that illustrates how thought errors can keep you solving yesterday’s problems and sabotaging your current and future growth. 

You’ll walk away with a new lens for assessing what really needs your attention — and how to stop spinning your wheels on challenges you’ve already outgrown.

Timestamps for Key Moments

[04:22] What it looks like to fix the wrong problem and why it’s such a common trap for ICs
[07:30] A real-world example of a consultant who outgrew his lead gen problem but didn’t update his mindset
[13:50] The identity and positioning shifts that opened up capacity and growth
[18:36] How to shift from more to better — refining your focus instead of adding more to your plate
[23:45] Three questions to uncover if you’re solving the wrong problem

Tune in to Episode 217 to shift your perspective and refocus your energy on what actually moves the needle in your business.

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-217/
• Subscribe to Melisa’s newsletter: The Independent - Weekly Newsletter, https://www.melisaliberman.com/news
• Consulting Business Health Assessment – Take The Consultant's Business Health Assessment, https://assessments.melisaliberman.com/consulting-health-assessment
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://consultmelisa.com 

Want More?

• Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Visit with Melisa’s Website: www.melisaliberman.com 
• Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman 

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.

What if the biggest reason you're not hitting your revenue goal has nothing to do with strategy — and everything to do with tiny, invisible breakdowns in your business development process?

In this episode, I walk you through the concept of “leaks” in your consulting business — those points where value, opportunity, or efficiency is lost without you even realizing it. 

These leaks aren’t just annoying; they dilute your revenue, add unnecessary stress, and make your business harder to run than it needs to be.

We’ll cover eight common types of leaks that affect independent consultants — from not generating enough conversations to getting stuck in the "friend zone" — and how to use the Consultant Leak Framework to identify and fix them.

I also share two real-world case studies from clients who patched their leaks and saw big changes — including one who added $650K to their pipeline.

Timestamps for Key Moments

• [05:12] What a "leak" actually is and how even seasoned consultants have them
• [08:45] Eight common business development leaks that stall your revenue growth
• [16:33] The Consultant Leak Framework, a 6-step process to find and fix the biggest breakdowns in your BD system
• [20:01] Case Study #1: How one consultant shifted his mindset and process to unlock $650K in pipeline
• [24:45] Case Study #2: How a “friend zone” leak was solved by creating simple hook offers that convert conversations into next steps

Tune in to Episode 216 to diagnose your own biggest leak — and learn how to fix it so you can build a more predictable, fulfilling consulting business.

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-216/
• Subscribe to Melisa’s newsletter: The Independent - Weekly Newsletter, https://www.melisaliberman.com/news
• Consulting Business Health Check – Take it at  https://www.icassessment.com to establish your baseline and identify key areas for optimization.
• Related Podcast Episode: Episode 193 - Being In Control of Your Consulting Business Results, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-193/ 
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://consultmelisa.com 

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 

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.

What if you could run a corporate retreat... for a company of one? 

That’s exactly what independent consultant and brand strategist Claire Elvers did. In this episode, Claire joins Melisa to share why she carved out the time and space to take her business offline — and what she learned from zooming out.

This conversation is packed with real talk about the real work of running a consulting business:

• Facilitating a productive, impactful retreat for your solo consulting business,
• Why consultants often neglect mid-funnel strategy (and the impact of doing so), 
• How to create more leverage without hiring a team, and 
• How to stay focused on building a business — not just delivering client work.

Claire also opens up about her non-linear path into independent consulting, how she made her first project happen, and why productizing her expertise has become a game-changer for her growth and freedom.

Whether you’ve been thinking about taking yourself “offsite,” or you’re stuck in the weeds and need to see your business with fresh eyes, this episode will challenge you to think like a business owner — not just a service provider.

Tune in to Episode 215 for practical insights and peer-level perspective on building an independent consulting business that reflects your goals and plays to your strengths.

Timestamps for Key Moments

• [08:12] Why Claire created a solo business retreat — and what it revealed about her next stage of growth
• [15:47] The strategic questions she asked herself to get clarity and create focus
• [21:30] How she’s productizing her expertise and making it easier for clients to say yes
• [29:22] Mid-funnel blind spots most consultants overlook (and how to fix them)
• [36:50] The most important mindset shift Claire made to start and grow her consulting business
• [43:03] Advice from one consultant to another on making the leap and finding your footing

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-215/
• Retreat Checklist PDF: Download The Independent Consultant's Corporate Retreat Checklist https://www.melisaliberman.com/retreat-checklist
• Related Podcast Episode: Episode 090 – Corporate Retreat for the Independent Consultant, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-90/
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com
• Connect with Claire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-elvers-4a09271/

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 

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.

What if the most valuable tool in your consulting business is one you already have — and didn’t even realize?

In this episode, Matty Bakkeren joins Melisa to share his early-stage consulting business experience as an independent consultant and the strategies he uses to create momentum in his business.

From listening to this podcast in his car to building his own consulting practice — Matty gives us a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to start and grow a consulting business.

Whether you’ve just exited corporate or are considering the move, this conversation is packed with perspective, encouragement, and a few sharp truths that’ll help you build your consulting business on solid ground.

Tune in to Episode 214 for a grounded perspective and a clear takeaway: You already have more tools than you think — now it’s time to use them.

Resources & Links Mentioned: 

• Download Your Business Dashboard One-Pager, https://www.melisaliberman.com/KPI
• Episode 208 - Becoming a Client Sherpa with John Healy, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-208/ 
• Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com

Timestamps for Key Moments

[03:44] – From podcast listener to guest: Maddie’s journey

[10:12] – The surprise value of a personal brand

[16:45] – Corporate skills that transfer to consulting

[22:08] – Building momentum and sharing learnings

[28:14] – Why consulting isn’t a solo sport

[33:20] – Final advice for new and aspiring consultants

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-214/
Connect with Matty Bakkeren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattybnl/

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 curious what it takes to consistently earn 50K per month as an independent consultant? 

In this episode, host Melisa Liberman reveals the four key components you need to implement in your consulting business to create a consistent 50k per month consulting business.

She outlines how to create an aligned offer, attract high-quality demand, shape your identity as a sought-after expert, and take focused, decisive action. 

To help you put the episode into action, Melisa provides actionable questions to help refine your approach and start seeing real growth.

If you're committed to growing your consulting business, don't miss out on these insights.

Tune in now to learn the four steps you need to take to make $50K per month as an independent consultant.

Resources & Links Mentioned: Download Melisa’s Book, Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality https://www.melisaliberman.com/book

Related Podcast Episode: Episode 193 - Being In Control of Your Consulting Business Results, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-193/ 

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

Timestamps for Key Moments

​[06:56] – What 50k months look like

[11:33] – 4 components of a 50k per month consulting business

[12:45] – An aligned offer

[21:04] – High-quality demand

[25:14] – Aligned identity

[35:20] – Action focus

[48:45] – Steps 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-213/

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.

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.