Sell Before You Build: Key Advice for New Consultants and Coaches
Sell Before You Build: Key Advice for New Consultants and Coaches
The world of entrepreneurship is changing, and women are leading the way. Today, 42% of new businesses are started by women, a huge jump from just 29% pre-pandemic. But as more corporate professionals transition to consulting and coaching, many fall into the same common trap: They focus on branding and operations before securing clients.
In this episode of Girls Make Bank, I share key lessons inspired by a recently laid-off senior executive who’s now navigating the consulting world. I break down why revenue should be your first priority—not your website, not your social media presence, and certainly not the perfect logo.
If you’re launching your consulting or coaching business, here’s what you need to focus on first:
1. Package Your Skills and Craft a Clear Market Message
Your ideal clients need to understand exactly what you do and how you can help them. Instead of overcomplicating your offer, start by answering these key questions:
What problem do I solve?
Who specifically needs my expertise?
How does my background uniquely qualify me to solve this problem?
2. Conduct Prospect Meetings and Gather Market Intelligence
Before investing in a fancy website or branding, spend time talking to potential clients. These conversations will help you:
Validate your service offerings
Identify real pain points your clients are facing
Understand how they describe their challenges (which is crucial for effective messaging)
3. Prioritize Revenue-Generating Activities
Branding and operational details can come later. Instead, focus on:
✅ Setting up sales calls
✅ Crafting a compelling offer
✅ Closing your first few clients
Too many new consultants spend months getting ready to sell—when they could be earning revenue and refining their services based on real client feedback.
If you're launching your business, make sure you’re prioritizing the right things. Listen to the full episode of Girls Make Bank for my three-step framework on how to start strong.
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