So, when it comes to consulting what exactly are levels 100-400?
For your business, what levels 100-400 are depends on what’s important in your target market.
In a minute, you’ll see an example roadmap of ‘Level 100’ to ‘Level 400’ for all 7 of the key areas we’ve been discussing.
But first, a note: advancing along any level in any area of your business comes down to one thing: a focus on studying that skill through deliberate practice.
You want to become a better freelancer? Figure out where you’re weak and then make that area strong.
Do you go through a self-assessment and discover that your pricing a weak area? Great! That’s the area you should focus on.
How you practice in order to level up depends on a few things and there are a number of choices. We’ll cover that shortly.
Right now, let’s take a look at a 100 → 400 roadmap for an example consultant:
Market Research:
- Level 100: Read 4-8 books about your target market
- Level 200: Attend market conferences
- Level 300: Monthly market research conversations
- Level 400: Process for market research
Service Offerings
- Level 100: Skill/Discipline as Offering
- Level 200: Proposals for Initial Offering
- Level 300: Roadmapping Session into Proposals
- Level 400: Fixed-Price, Fixed-Scope Services
Pricing
- Level 100: Hourly Pricing
- Level 200: Daily/Weekly Pricing
- Level 300: Value Based Anchoring
- Level 400: Value Based Pricing
Specialization
- Level 100: Focus on skill
- Level 200: Focus on Target Market
- Level 300: Focus on Expensive Problem
- Level 400: Focus on Outcome
Sales
- Level 100: Track Lead in Inbox
- Level 200: Use a CRM like Pipedrive (http://pipedrive.com)
- Level 300: Lost Lead Follow-Up
- Level 400: Referral Outreach
Marketing
- Level 100: Word of Mouth Marketing
- Level 200: Website and 1 Additional Marketing Channel
- Level 300: 2-4 Additional Marketing Channels
- Level 400: 3-6+ Marketing Channels
Automation
- Level 100: Email Templates
- Level 200: Appointment Booking like Calendly (http://calendly.com)
- Level 300: Client Application Process (https://kaidavis.com/products/lead-forms/)
- Level 400: Automated Follow-Up
The Most Important Part
Growth as a freelancer or consultant is achieved by identifying the area(s) where your business is weak and then focusing on improving those weak areas.
The specific tactical element (“start using a CRM” or “Switch from Weekly Pricing to Value Based Anchoring”) will differ depending on your business.
What is important is that to get better at any of these 7 key areas, you apply yourself, study the area, and implement the lessons you learn into your business, keeping what works and discarding what doesn’t.
Excelsior!
Kai
I write a high-quality, daily newsletter about marketing, growth, and lead generation for indie consultants, freelancers, and service professionals.
