December 12, 2022

Consulting vs. Coaching

Before I get to today’s message, I have two bits of housekeeping for you:

  1. Yesterday’s Ditcherville comic was inspired by a story from fellow list member Dave Young. I meant to include a “tip of the hat” in the message, but I hit send too soon. Sorry about that, Dave, and thanks for the inspiration!
  2. Lessons started today for Automatic Proposals but it’s not too late to enroll. Registration will remain open until tonight at 11:59pm ET. If you’d like to learn how to write better proposals in half the time it takes you now, don’t delay!
    ENROLL NOW »

And now, back to our regularly scheduled email...


This week on TBOA, Rochelle and I talk about how to move closer to your dream position between consulting and coaching.

LISTEN NOW »

Talking Points

The differences between the opposite ends of the ”coaching vs consulting” spectrum and how to own any position you choose to claim.

How to migrate from one point on the spectrum—selling, marketing, service delivery, and authority building—to another.

Matching your business and revenue model (including how big an audience you’ll want to attract) to your unique balance between consulting and coaching.

Deciding which kinds of transformations matter most to you.

The role of advisory retainers in moving across the spectrum.

Quotable Quotes

“Coaching feels a lot more like a transformation that you’re selling. It feels more like you’re transforming the buyer into thinking a new way.”—JS

“You have these opposite ends of the spectrum between consulting and coaching and then there’s so many points in between you can own.”—RM

“I took baby steps from consulting to coaching. Specifically, I started with a relatively small number of people paying me a relatively high amount of money for coaching.”—JS

“I had this philosophy—even when consulting—that the answer wasn’t in me. The answer was in the client. And my job was to get that answer out.”—RM

“It’s really hard for me to imagine ever reversing direction on the spectrum of consulting to coaching.”—JS

“Now, my greatest joy is when somebody hits a new level. Watching that dawn on people — midwifing those transformations — that’s what I value.”—RM

“And they’re like, ‘I know I’ve heard you say this a thousand times, but you said it a little differently this time, and all of a sudden, it clicked.’ I just love those moments.”—JS

“Advisory retainers are another option where you can start to straddle the difference between classic consulting (where you’re doing) and classic coaching (where you’re always there).”—RM

Sharing is caring!

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a few friends who might find it useful. Thanks!

Yours,

—J

BackRandomNext