How to Deliver Results Without Positional Authority as a Consultant or Coach, with Sara Guttman (Ep178)
How do you deliver results as a consultant or coach when you're no longer the one in charge? My client Sara Guttman is back on the show, and this time she's putting me on the hot seat with the question that stumped me: How do I actually deliver results when I'm not coming from a place of positional authority? You'll discover why your methodology isn't where your value lies, the two traps that turn consultants and coaches into a pair of hands or a surrogate leader (and where to stand instead), why you need to know who you're transferring your knowledge and skills to before the work even starts, and why AI will never replace you with the clients who are meant for you. If you're ready to stop doing the work for your clients and step into the strategic partner role you know you're meant for, this conversation is for you. Want the tools I talk about in this episode? Get my Consultant's Toolbox, with all the templates, swipe files and resources, for only $97 → betsyjordyn.com/toolbox Prefer a quick read of the main takeaways from this episode? Read the distilled version on the Consulting Matters blog → betsyjordyn.com/blog/deliver-results-without-positional-authority-consultant-coach NEXT STEPS Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
October 14, 202612 min
How to Know You Have What It Takes to Succeed as a Consultant, Coach & Business Owner [PEP TALK] (Ep 177)
Want to know for a fact, in your heart, mind, and soul, that you have what it takes to succeed as a consultant, coach, and business owner today and long term? In this pep talk episode, I’ll help you answer this core, critical question with a solid, unwavering, confident “Yes!” You’ll discover why self-doubt and imposter syndrome, while frustrating and sometimes embarrassing, are part and parcel of growing your own consulting or coaching business; what’s at stake if you don’t deal with them; why “Do I have what it takes?” isn’t the question you’re really asking, and what you’re actually wondering; and three things you need to know to know that you have everything you need to build a thriving consulting or coaching business you’ll love for years to come. If you’re done spinning and second-guessing yourself and ready to start succeeding at the level you’re more than capable of, this pep talk episode is for you. Prefer a quick read of the main takeaways from this episode? Read the distilled version on the Consulting Matters blog → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/blog/ know-what-it-takes-succeed-consultant-coach NEXT STEPS Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
October 7, 20261 hr 3 min
How to Build a Consulting or Coaching Business That Lasts, with Dan Weedin (EP 176)
What do consultants and coaches who are still successful and thriving after 15-plus years in business know that the rest of us don’t? In this episode, my guest is my longtime friend and colleague Dan Weedin, an author, speaker, and president of Emerging Risk Solutions, for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build a sustainably profitable business that keeps evolving over time. You’ll discover why your consulting expertise alone isn’t enough, how embracing marketing and thinking like a business owner changes the game, and why knowing where your clients actually come from can help you build a more reliable path to new business. We also cover how to know when to stay the course versus pivot, why some things that don’t work can ultimately lead you in the right direction, and the role trusting yourself plays in your long-term success. If you want to build a consulting or coaching business you’ll still love years from now, this conversation is for you. Prefer a quick read of the main takeaways from this episode? Read the distilled version on the Consulting Matters blog → betsyjordyn.com/blog/how-to-build-a-consulting-or-coaching-business-that-lasts NEXT STEPS Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads If you’re on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
September 30, 202611 min
How to Use an Intake Form to Improve Your Discovery Meeting [QUICK WIN] (Ep175)
What if one simple tool could help you run better discovery meetings, create stronger proposals, close more business, and even write better marketing copy? I'm talking about your intake form. You might think of an intake form as simply a way to collect basic information before meeting with a potential client. But I use mine for a whole lot more. In this episode, I’m sharing how to use an intake form to get more out of every discovery meeting and client opportunity. You’ll discover what to ask potential clients before you meet, how to use their answers to arrive prepared and position yourself as a strategic partner, and how to turn their responses into voice of the client data you can use in your marketing and content. If you want a simple way to improve your discovery meetings while making your entire business development process more productive and effective, this episode is for you. Prefer a quick read of the main takeaways from this episode? Read the distilled version on the Consulting Matters blog → RELATED EPISODES How to Land Strategic Client Engagements without Pushy Sales (Ep129) → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/podcasts/consulting-matters/episodes/2149081551 How to Use a Discovery Meeting to Multiply Revenue and Impact (Ep132) → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/podcasts/consulting-matters/episodes/2149090265 The Anatomy of High-IMPACT Sales Pages and Proposals (Ep85) → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/podcasts/consulting-matters/episodes/2148233168 How to Conduct a Market Scan and Find Your Niche → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/blog/how-to-conduct-a-market-scan-and-find-your-niche NEXT STEPS Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
September 23, 202625 min
5 Lessons from 20 Years of Running a Consulting & Coaching Business (Ep174)
Are you setting up your consulting or coaching for long-term success? In this episode, I’m sharing five lessons I’ve learned from 20 years of running my own consulting and coaching business. You’ll discover why most of us need a push to finally become our own boss, how the pain that pushed you onto this path can become part of your purpose, and why long-term success requires you to think and act like a business owner, build the right business for you, and stop trying to do everything alone. If you want to build a consulting or coaching business that doesn’t just succeed now but can grow and evolve with you over time, this episode is for you. Prefer a quick read of the main takeaways from this episode? Read the distilled version on the Consulting Matters blog → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/blog/5-Lessons-from-20-Years-of-Running-a-Consulting-and-Coaching-Business NEXT STEPS Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
August 5, 20262 min
Consulting Matters Podcast Update
See you back on September 24th! Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
July 29, 202658 min
How to Launch a Consulting or Coaching Business in 30 Days with Dorothy Mosby (Ep173)
Wondering if it's really possible to launch your consulting or coaching business in less than 30 days...without cutting corners or relying on AI? If you've spent decades building your expertise but feel overwhelmed by turning it into a business, you might assume launching the right way has to take months. It doesn't. In this episode of the Consulting Matters podcast, my guest is my client Dorothy Mosby, who went from senior academic leader to consulting and coaching business owner in less than 30 days — complete with a clear brand position, compelling messaging, a professionally designed website, and a successful launch just in time for a critical speaking event at a conference filled with her ideal clients. Together, we pull back the curtain on what made that possible, why speed doesn't have to come at the expense of quality, and why AI can be a valuable tool at times but can never replace the strategy, creativity, and human insight required to build a business that truly represents who you are and connects you to the clients you're meant to serve. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why slowing down to work first on your brand clarity is what speeds up your business launch Where AI helps when you're launching your consulting or coaching business — and where it slows you down The unlearning experienced academics and corporate professionals have to do to craft messages and copy that connects with clients Why your website is about far more than credibility: it's about stepping into your identity as a business owner WHERE TO DIVE IN: 02:18 – Why Dorothy left senior academic leadership for consulting/coaching business ownership 09:00 – Why experienced professionals struggle to define their niche 13:22 – How a conference deadline forced a 30-day launch 16:22 – Why professional branding photos matter 36:53 – Unlearning academic and corporate writing 43:50 – Finding the right words in a politically sensitive climate 50:59 – Dorothy's advice for midlife entrepreneurs 55:03 – Who Dorothy serves and how to send the right leaders her way See full show notes and transcript here → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/blog/How-to-Launch-a-Consulting-or-Coaching-Business-in-Less-Than-30-Days NEXT STEPS Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads RESOURCES Learn more about Dorothy's academic leadership coaching (and how my team and I brought her brand positioning and messaging to life through copy, photos, and visuals)→ https://dorothymosby.com If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/BetsyJordyn If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/
July 22, 20261 hr 0 min
How to Break Free from Relying on Referrals to Get Consulting or Coaching Clients with Cori Crawford Van Oss (Ep172)
Wondering How to Get Consulting or Coaching Clients...Without Relying on Referrals? At first, relying on referrals to get consulting or coaching clients is great… and reliable. Or at least reliable enough. Your generous network sends business your way. Then thrilled former clients introduce you to new ones. Only problem? This works…until it stops and the question sets in: What do I do when getting clients primarily through relying on connections and referrals is no longer enough? If you have been asking yourself these questions, this episode is for you! In this conversation, seasoned leadership coach and my client Cori Crawford Van Oss and I take you behind the scenes of what it really takes to make the shift from the hustle of getting clients through asking for referrals and the agonizing waiting game to the flow of attracting the right clients – the ones you’re called to serve - to you. We talk about the role that content plays in expanding your reach and your impact, and how to overcome the #1 barrier to getting started – which is clarity and confidence in who you help, the problems you solve, the value you create, and your unique perspective that drives how you think about and approach your consulting or coaching. We also got into how calling herself a trusted advisor (in addition to a coach) with the eyes to see things her clients can’t, helped her not only differentiate herself in the market but truly own her unique God-given gifting. We talk about how remarkable content doesn’t just showcase our big ideas but meets clients where they are at each step in their buying journey. But the real power of owning our unique brand position, clarifying our message, and creating content isn’t about marketing but creating the conditions for transformation, as it provides the psychological safety that it requires. It’s about instilling trust, living our purpose, and making meaning out of our deepest wounds and most painful experiences, which is where the sources for our greatest credibility, empathy, and uniqueness lie. If your real question isn’t just about making a shift in your approach to getting clients from chasing or waiting for them to drawing them to you, but it’s more about how to create sustainable success from the inside out, this episode is for you. WHERE TO DIVE IN [00:00] When Referrals Aren't Enough [01:48] A Decades-Long Connection Comes Full Circle [06:12] From Global Mission Work to Going Solo [12:06] Why the Rebrand Had to Start From Scratch [16:13] Naming the Real Problem: Growth Without Burnout [20:16] The Pregnancy Metaphor: Growing at a Human Pace [37:23] Your Ideal Client Is an Earlier Version of You [41:05] Mapping Content to the Buyer's Journey [54:13] The Rocket Metaphor: Superpowers Born From Pain NEXT STEPS Thanks for listening. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/BetsyJordyn If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/ Learn more about Cori Crawford Van Oss's leadership coaching, trusted advisor, and workshop that sustain and increase the impact of mission leaders without burning out staff and volunteers → https://coricrawfordvanoss.com/ MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts ! Your support helps me reach more consultants and coaches who need these insights and inspiration 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Consulting Matters ! See you next week!
July 15, 202629 min
4 Questions I Ask Every Client to Clarify Their Perfect Niche (Ep171)
Struggling to figure out the perfect niche for your consulting or coaching? You won’t be after you tune into this episode of the Consulting Matters podcast! In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my brand positioning process and sharing the four questions I ask every client to help them discover their niche fast – without the spin or second-guessing. I’ll reveal to you why trying to answer, “What’s my niche?” directly rarely works, why all the time you’ve spent with AI trying to get clarity is leaving you more confused, and what you should be asking yourself and doing instead. Ready for a more strategic approach to clarifying your niche, while addressing the very fears of choosing the wrong direction or limiting yourself? Tune in now! What you’ll discover in this episode: What a niche actually is and what you need to know before trying to figure out yours Why figuring out your niche is so much harder than people make it sound, and the three reasons so many consultants and coaches stay stuck. The #1 strategy and mindset shift that changes everything when you're choosing a niche that helps you stand out. Why no one hires a consultant or coach because they want a consultant or coach, and what they're really looking for instead. Simple research strategies that will help you stop guessing and uncover what your ideal clients truly want and need WHERE TO DIVE IN 0:00 – Struggling to find your niche? 0:22 – Welcome to Consulting Matters 4:47 – Q1: What your niche actually is 7:09 – The "spotlight" mistake everyone makes 9:23 – Why AI can't nail your brand position 14:04 – Q2: Defining your ideal client 21:09 – Q3: The context for your help (the big one) 25:42 – Q4: Filling the market gap 27:57 – Recap and final takeaways NEXT STEPS Thanks for listening. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/BetsyJordyn If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/ MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts ! Your support helps me reach more consultants and coaches who need these insights and inspiration 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Consulting Matters! See you next week!
July 9, 202658 min
Why Your Consulting or Coaching Business Should Be Your Next Promotion, with Deborah Masak (Ep170)
Struggling to figure out which consulting or coaching business to start? If you're a mid-career professional with years of experience, strengths, and possibilities, it's not always obvious which direction is right. In this episode of Consulting Matters , my client Deborah Masak shares what she's learned about transforming decades of corporate leadership experience into a consulting and coaching business built around the highest level of expertise she earned throughout her career. Together, we explore why so many experienced professionals unintentionally build businesses around an earlier version of themselves instead of giving themselves the promotion they've earned. This conversation will show you how setting the intention to give yourself a promotion can fast-track your clarity and confidence, keep you from selling yourself short, and lead you to a business that reflects who you've become, not just what you've done. What you’ll discover in this episode: Why building your consulting or coaching business should feel like a promotion, not a return to work you've already outgrown. How to navigate the messy middle of finding clarity in the right direction and positioning Why choosing one clear area of expertise is more powerful than trying to build a business around everything you've done. How to create compelling offers that monetize your strengths to help your clients solve their problems and achieve their goals. Why getting your professionally designed website done is about more than looking legitimate. It's the confidence you need to fully step into your identity as a business owner. WHERE TO DIVE IN 01:11 – Deborah's background & how she met Betsy 02:03 – 30 years in corporate L&D, why she wanted out 07:46 – Finding clarity: testing different business directions 16:08 – Trusting the process through the uncertainty 21:30 – Why we undervalue our newest skills vs. our past selves 34:36 – Deborah's offer: elevating L&D as a measurable driver 36:45 – Quick plug: Betsy & Deborah's joint ROI partnership 40:28 – Building the website & brand messaging 45:09 – The photo shoot "moment of truth" 48:46 – AI vs. human copywriting 54:49 – Deborah's closing advice 56:19 – Where to find Deborah NEXT STEPS Thanks for listening. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified. If you prefer video or want closed captions, you can watch all my episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/c/BetsyJordyn If you're on LinkedIn, come say hi! → https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordyn/ Learn more about Deborah’s strategic coaching and measurement studies for L&D leaders (and how my team and I brought her brand positioning and messaging to life through copy, photos, and visuals)→ https://deborahmasak.com/ MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Get free templates and guides to nail your niche, clarify your value, craft compelling messages, and position yourself for the right clients and opportunities → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/downloads Learn more about my VIP brand-building & messaging services, custom-designed for purpose-driven consultants and coaches → https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts ! Your support helps me reach more consultants and coaches who need these insights and inspiration 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Consulting Matters ! See you next week!
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