Setting Realistic Expectations
The Key to a Sustainable Solo Consulting Start
Going solo sounds exciting—until the reality hits. Rejections. Admin. Uncertainty.
The antidote? Set realistic expectations early. That’s what this week’s insight is all about.
This is based on an extract from my upcoming book:
Start Smart: An AI Powered Consulting Guide for Technical Professionals
The 6-Month Reality Check
Most consultants don’t land their first client overnight. The typical startup timeline looks like this:
Months 1–2: Build your foundations—website, brand, niche, legal structure.
Months 3–4: Ramp up outreach—LinkedIn, events, pitching, follow-ups.
Months 5–6: Secure your first project—often small but vital.
Part-time? Expect the journey to stretch to 6–9 months.
Pro tip: Use AI to speed up research, automate outreach follow-ups, or write proposal drafts—but don’t expect miracles.
🚧 The 3 Inevitable Challenges (and How to Beat Them)
Rejection: You’ll hear “no” a lot. That’s not failure; it’s feedback. Expect 10–15 rejections before your first “yes.”
Fix: Refine your pitch, tighten your niche, and follow up with confidence.Slow Growth: Early momentum is slow. Focus on consistency, not perfection.
Fix: Celebrate small wins; like a good conversation or a referral.Admin Overload: Invoicing, contracts, scheduling... it adds up.
Fix: Automate early with tools like Xero or AI-driven scheduling assistants.
What Success Actually Looks Like
Forget vanity metrics. Here are your real early wins:
First client signed (even a small one)
Positive feedback or a referral
Earning $3K–$5K/month within 6–12 months
That’s a sustainable start. Track these in a simple spreadsheet; or use Notion AI to build a live dashboard.
Use AI for Startup Scenario Planning
Try this simple workflow:
Prompt: “I’m a new consultant worried about rejection. Suggest 3 ways to respond.”
Pick a Strategy: example, “Refine your pitch using client feedback.”
Implement and Track: Create an action plan. Repeat for other scenarios like time management or inconsistent leads.
Your Startup Planning Exercise (Mini-Version)
Take 10 minutes today and jot this down:
Month 1–2: Build a basic website, register business name, outline service offers
Month 3–4: Contact 10 potential clients, attend one industry event
Month 5–6: Aim to sign one client
Top challenge: Rejection → plan to refine pitch
Metrics: 1 client by month 6, 1 referral, $3,000+ revenue
That’s your roadmap.
Start Smart is a guide to launching a consulting business tailored to your technical background. It will walk you through the steps to start smart, using your AI assistant to simplify tasks and amplify your impact.
Phil Charles, GoingSolo.Academy
Check out Mastering Solo Consulting books on Amazon.