Million Dollar Consulting isn’t just a guide—it’s a roadmap to transforming your expertise into a premium consulting business. Written by Alan Weiss, one of the most respected names in consulting, this book breaks down the core strategies for growing a solo or boutique practice into a high-income, high-impact business.
With sharp advice, real-world case studies, and a no-nonsense tone, Weiss challenges common assumptions about selling time, pricing services, and building client relationships. His central thesis is clear: you don’t need more clients—you need better clients, bigger value, and stronger positioning.
Whether you’re a freelancer, advisor, or executive coach, Million Dollar Consulting shows how to shift from labor-based income to value-based wealth, and how to market yourself as an authority instead of chasing contracts.
Top 10 Lessons from Million Dollar Consulting
1. Value, Not Time, Is What Clients Buy
Stop charging by the hour. Instead, price your services based on the value you create for the client. Time-based billing caps your income, but value-based pricing allows exponential growth.
2. Consulting Is a Relationship Business
You’re not selling deliverables—you’re building trusted partnerships. Long-term client relationships come from trust, credibility, and delivering consistent results—not a polished pitch deck.
3. Position Yourself as an Expert, Not a Vendor
Weiss insists on the importance of thought leadership. If clients see you as a commodity, they’ll negotiate price. If they see you as an expert, they’ll ask how soon you can start.
4. Stop Chasing—Start Attracting
Marketing is about visibility and credibility, not cold calls. The goal is to attract clients through speaking, publishing, networking, and referrals, so they come to you already primed to buy.
5. Use Proposals as Confirmations, Not Explorations
A proposal shouldn’t be an education tool—it should be a summary of what you’ve already discussed and agreed upon in a conversation. If you’re still selling in the proposal, you missed a step.
6. Never Lower Your Fees—Add More Value
Discounting undermines your positioning. Instead of slashing rates, stack additional value or outcomes. High-fee consultants are high-trust consultants.
7. The Buyer Is the Key Decision Maker
Weiss reminds consultants to always speak directly with the economic buyer—the person who has the power and the budget. Never get trapped selling to someone who has to “run it by their boss.”
8. Fear Is the Enemy of Growth
Many consultants stay small because they fear rejection, overpricing, or losing clients. Weiss emphasizes building mental resilience and treating failure as feedback, not defeat.
9. Create Multiple Revenue Streams
Million-dollar consultants don’t rely on one-on-one projects alone. They diversify with products, retainers, books, courses, and licensing. The goal is scalability without sacrificing quality.
10. You’re in the Marketing Business—Not Just Consulting
The best consultants are great marketers. You could be the smartest person in your field, but if no one knows about you, you won’t get paid. Marketing is not optional—it’s your main business driver.
Final Thoughts
Million Dollar Consulting is less about tactics and more about mindset. Alan Weiss teaches consultants to think bigger, charge smarter, and operate with authority. If you’re ready to go from billable hours to building a legacy consulting brand, this book is your blueprint.
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