Independent advice on business issues

[DSLiverpool]

If you could get independent no ulterior motive unbiased advice on small things like checking your thoughts, getting a second opinion on a huge range of things would that be of interest?

The experts have a bio, we hope to have several in each category and you ask the question when booking the call.

I’ve decided to do it anyway and it’s going to be part of my new club website but I’m thinking to spin it out to be a freestanding entity in its own right.

I’m thinking 15 minutes, anything after that can be booked directly with the expert.

Originally it was just to check marketing agency reports but the scope got bigger.

[miniman]

I think there are more and more small businesses, startups and scale-ups that recognise they need some senior experience but can’t justify or don’t need a full time [insert role here] - typical examples being CIO / CDO / CMO etc.

I’m having several similar conversations at the moment as it’s something I’m looking to get into (as in providing the expertise) at some point. There are certainly organisations providing fractional / interim services effectively as agents / umbrella / business generation.

The curious thing about your proposed model for me is how you monetise it beyond the initial dialogue - you suggest that you’d hand over the relationship direct to the consultant. The people I’ve spoken to who operate like this charge a hefty joining fee for the consultant and a fee to the companies who procure the services.

Happy to chat offline about it if you want, it’s an interesting area.

[DSLiverpool]

The existing conduits are remote and in my experience up their own arse - this is real hands dirty experts who can tell you exactly what you need in 15 minutes..

I’m expecting to get to 100 calls a day at £20 with my “club” making £5 a call

If it works well we might lightly charge the experts a directory positional fee.

All income will go on marketing year one as for me this is a side side side hustle.

[simon_harris]

I spent some time trying to get into fractional IT work, my experience was that small business want the benefit of the knowledge and experience but don’t want to pay for it, and want to pay for the implementation of recommended (and legally required in some instances) work even less

[DSLiverpool]

simon_harris said:

I spent some time trying to get into fractional IT work, my experience was that small business want the benefit of the knowledge and experience but don’t want to pay for it, and want to pay for the implementation of recommended (and legally required in some instances) work even less

It’s £20 - they’ll pay.

[miniman]

DSLiverpool said:

It’s £20 - they’ll pay.

Seems very low. Less than they’d pay per hour to have their car serviced.

[Regbuser]

Presumably an expert in their field would be busy and well rewarded; so why would they pay to be on a listing to be pestered by idiots ?

[DSLiverpool]

miniman said:

Seems very low. Less than they’d pay per hour to have their car serviced.

It’s a quick answer solution, people are wary of engaging consultants look at actioncoach for example - who’d use a franchised business coach.

The 15 minutes is a way you can earn trust with a potential client and from the clients perspective they can get a quick answer on what they’ve already been told - second eyes.

The call to action is limbo low for a reason

[DSLiverpool]

Regbuser said:

Presumably an expert in their field would be busy and well rewarded; so why would they pay to be on a listing to be pestered by idiots ?

You’d be surprised, an expert in SEO for example might want a bit of extra, a logistics expert similar etc etc all happy to earn £1 a minute at times to suit them.

This is what sets my view of the world apart from others - I can see demand

[miniman]

Regbuser said:

Presumably an expert in their field would be busy and well rewarded; so why would they pay to be on a listing to be pestered by idiots ?

Because everyone needs lead generation and relationship building. I’d certainly give it a go.

[Regbuser]

I agree, demand is there, you only have to look at the dumb questions asked on PH.

Thing is, if a client member asks a question, they'll want an immediate response. This points to an 'expert' being available on demand, something that makes not happen.

Therefore you run the risk of dissatisfied customers giving negative feedback.

Additionally, if advice were given, who would cover the professional indemnity in these litigious times ?

[DSLiverpool]

miniman said:

Because everyone needs lead generation and relationship building. I’d certainly give it a go.

I’ll message you Amy’s email who’s managing it 👍

[Regbuser]

miniman said:

Regbuser said:

Presumably an expert in their field would be busy and well rewarded; so why would they pay to be on a listing to be pestered by idiots ?

Because everyone needs lead generation and relationship building. I’d certainly give it a go.

Wasting time on time wasters (and that's what most are) is not efficient use of billable hours.

[Regbuser]

But, putting doubts aside, I think DSL generally has sound business ideas, so will follow with interest

[DSLiverpool]

Regbuser said:

I agree, demand is there, you only have to look at the dumb questions asked on PH.

Thing is, if a client member asks a question, they'll want an immediate response. This points to an 'expert' being available on demand, something that makes not happen.

Therefore you run the risk of dissatisfied customers giving negative feedback.

Additionally, if advice were given, who would cover the professional indemnity in these litigious times ?

Each expert has a Calendly - they take it or leave it. On indemnity I’m talking to a broker to offer blanket advice cover but it’ll be sorted prior.

[simon_harris]

DSLiverpool said:

simon_harris said:

I spent some time trying to get into fractional IT work, my experience was that small business want the benefit of the knowledge and experience but don’t want to pay for it, and want to pay for the implementation of recommended (and legally required in some instances) work even less

It’s £20 - they’ll pay.

Actually yes I can see that working, do you have a scale up model for more complex scenarios?

[DSLiverpool]

simon_harris said:

Actually yes I can see that working, do you have a scale up model for more complex scenarios?

Yes - 1-2-1 is outside of the club and we get nothing from it. However I might monetise directory position and commission later on but for now I want as many experts as possible to get me £500 a day to spend £500 a day on marketing

[Panamax]

DSLiverpool said:

If you could get independent no ulterior motive unbiased advice on small things like checking your thoughts, getting a second opinion on a huge range of things would that be of interest? The experts have a bio, we hope to have several in each category and you ask the question when booking the call.

I’ve decided to do it anyway and it’s going to be part of my new club website

I hope you've got your head around the questions of "liability" and "insurance". You could be digging yourself a very deep hole to fall into.

[Doofus]

miniman said:

I think there are more and more small businesses, startups and scale-ups that recognise they need some senior experience but can’t justify or don’t need a full time [insert role here] - typical examples being CIO / CDO / CMO etc.

I’m having several similar conversations at the moment as it’s something I’m looking to get into (as in providing the expertise) at some point. There are certainly organisations providing fractional / interim services effectively as agents / umbrella / business generation.

The curious thing about your proposed model for me is how you monetise it beyond the initial dialogue - you suggest that you’d hand over the relationship direct to the consultant. The people I’ve spoken to who operate like this charge a hefty joining fee for the consultant and a fee to the companies who procure the services.

Happy to chat offline about it if you want, it’s an interesting area.

I've been doing this on and off for several years. The key thing is those small and OMBs don't necessarily need the advice, they just need somebody to do the work. As above, my clients have been businesses that either don't need a full-time or permanent person or who can't afford one.

I've never seen my "rôle" as consulting, because I don't coach or mentor (although some have asked for that). My experience is in starting and building businesses, so I'm far more effective doing that than telling somebody else how to do it.

[Regbuser]

Doofus said:

I've been doing this on and off for several years. The key thing is those small and OMBs don't necessarily need the advice, they just need somebody to do the work. As above, my clients have been businesses that either don't need a full-time or permanent person or who can't afford one.

I've never seen my "rôle" as consulting, because I don't coach or mentor (although some have asked for that). My experience is in starting and building businesses, so I'm far more effective doing that than telling somebody else how to do it.

But, dooffee babes, would you drop £500pm to be a listed expert ?