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Consulting

Creating Content That Converts: My Guide for AI Consultants

This is some of the notes I've taken for learnindieconsulting.com

Why I Prioritize Content (And Why You Should Too)

Let me share something I wish I'd understood sooner: consistent content creation isn't just a marketing tactic—it's the foundation of a thriving consulting business.

When I started my consulting journey, I was stuck in the time-for-money trap. I'd jump on Zoom calls with prospects, explain the same concepts repeatedly, and wonder why scaling was so difficult. Then I had a realization that changed everything: what if I could have these conversations at scale?

Now I extract blog post ideas from every client call. Every Friday, I review about 17 potential topics from the week's conversations. I test them with social posts, see which ones get traction (some get 700 views, others 200,000), and develop the winners into comprehensive content.

Here's why this approach has transformed my business:

How to Get Started in AI Consulting:

Picture this: You're sitting at your desk, contemplating the leap into AI consulting. Maybe you're a seasoned ML engineer looking to transition from contractor to consultant, or perhaps you've been building AI products and want to branch out independently. Whatever brought you here, you're wondering how to transform your technical expertise into a thriving consulting practice.

Consulting writing

I want to share something that completely changed my consulting business: writing consistently.

Last month, a founder reached out saying, "I don't know who you are, but your blog posts keep showing up in our team's Slack. Are you available to help us?"

Two days later, we closed a $140,000 deal (for a 3-month project). Only 3 sales calls were needed.

This wasn't luck – it was the compound effect of putting words on the page every single day.

Dear Future AI Consultant

Picture this: Four AI engineers walk out of some big tech office, maybe its layoffs, or burn out, or the golden handcuffs, but they're finally free. Fast forward one year, and their paths couldn't be more different.

  • Engineer 1 went the traditional freelance route. He's making $300 an hour, meticulously tracking every minute, and constantly hearing he's "too expensive." Yet, he's always scrambling for the next gig.

  • Engineer 2 dove into the startup world. She's now a VC-backed founder, drowning in pitch decks and investor meetings. Sure, the TechCrunch headlines are nice, but she hasn't had a good night's sleep in months, constantly worrying about runway and growth metrics.

  • Engineer 3 became an indie hacker. He's over the moon about hitting $2,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue with his AI product. It's a great start, but he's realizing that building the product was just the beginning. Now he's grappling with the challenges of distribution and marketing, discovering that these skills are just as crucial as his technical expertise.

  • And then there's me, Engineer 4. I'm writing this from a business class seat on my way to San Francisco, closing a six-figure deal with a client. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

As an AI consultant, I've built a personal brand, grown an audience, and mastered marketing and distribution - all while confidently selling my expertise. I've made friends with VCs, hosted dinners for industry leaders, and built a network that spans the tech world.

The best part? I've got $500K sitting in my business account, deployed 100k in angel investments and have paid my friends 100s of 1000s of dollars to work together and on projects we love. If I ever decide to start a company, raise money, or build a product, I've already developed all the skills I need - plus the cash to get started.

Why Freelancers Will Win the AI Gold Rush

I remember stories about the tech booms of past decades. In the late 1990s, the web revolution began. Teenagers who knew HTML were earning thousands per project, building websites for local businesses. In the late 2000s, a similar trend emerged with mobile apps. Young developers were profiting from creating applications for smartphones.

"This is the future," people would say. Many were skeptical about how these basic websites or simple apps could change anything. We know how those predictions turned out.

Now, in 2024, I'm feeling the same way about AI freelancers and consultants. But this time, I'm not skeptical. I believe we're at the start of something significant, a change that will surpass the web and mobile revolutions in its impact.

Here's why:

Chasing Chase: Why I'll Never Trust Chase Bank Again, A Yuppie Nightmare

It always goes this way. Someone will try teaching you a parable or life story, but you never really understand it until you have to experience it yourself. Some call this ‘learning things the hard way.’ Some call this life. Now, folks always told me that consulting was either a feast or famine, which sounds straightforward, but it turns out I didn’t really know what this meant until I had to deal with Chase.

Earlier this year, for reasons that are still not fully known to me, and despite my existing relationship with Chase (dating back to my first job out of university over a decade ago!), Chase froze $180,000 of my money without warning. This left me scrambling to pay employees and nearly derailed my business—all without explanation. It was a major wake-up call not just for me but for any entrepreneur. The importance of diversifying your banking and choosing financial partners that actually support small businesses has never been more important.

Everything I Learned from AI Consulting

As I've shared insights on building a consulting practice, marketing strategies, and referral techniques, I've realized there's so much more to discuss about the world of AI consulting. This post aims to consolidate everything I've learned, building upon the foundation laid in my previous articles. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights into the consulting process, from positioning yourself as an expert to closing high-value deals. For those interested in the tools that support my consulting work, don't forget to check out my article on the consulting stack I use.

These insights are drawn from my extensive experience, including a livestream I conducted on the topic. If you're interested in the original discussion, you can find the YouTube live stream here.

Best Tools for Indie Consultants

As an indie consultant, having the right tools can make or break your business. Over the years, I've refined my "consulting stack" - a collection of software and services that keep my operations smooth and professional. This post is an extension of my thoughts on AI consulting and freelancing in the AI gold rush.

In this guide, I'll share the key components of my stack and why they matter. Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your existing practice, these tools can help streamline your operations and enhance your professional image. I'll cover everything from setting up your business foundation to essential software for day-to-day operations.

By the end, you'll have a comprehensive todo list for setting up your business foundation and implementing your own consulting stack. This advice stems from my personal experience and lessons learned from AI consulting, aimed at helping you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your success in the consulting world.

Thoughts on Marketing, Positioning, and Scaling my Consulting

I've enjoyed writing about my indie consulting process. Today, I want to share some insights on marketing, positioning, and scaling my consulting business. This post builds on my previous discussions about referrals and the tools I use, focusing on how I've grown my practice through strategic marketing efforts.

As a former MLE, I had always relied on my hands-on coding skills to excel in my career. However, a hand injury forced me to adapt and pivot towards consulting. You can read more about my journey in my personal story and how this injury transformed my perspective. In this essay, I share my journey of becoming a successful AI consultant and the lessons I've learned about marketing, positioning, and scaling my business.

  • Transitioning to consulting and building a marketing plan
  • Generating leads and creating valuable content
  • Closing leads using situational assessments