By 9jaDirectory Professional Services Team | Updated: November 2025
Consulting is the ultimate high-margin business. One engagement earns ₦500K-₦2M while spending 20-40 hours. That's ₦12.5K-₦50K per hour.
What Makes a Good Consultant?
- Deep expertise: You've done it successfully before
- Credibility: Proof, certifications, testimonials
- Communication skills: Explain complex topics simply
Profitable Niches
Best options: Business strategy (₦500K-₦2M), digital marketing (₦200K-₦1M), HR/recruitment (₦300K-₦800K), operations optimization (₦400K-₦1.5M), supply chain (₦500K-₦2M+).
Step 1: Package Your Expertise
Create 3 offerings: Quick Win (₦50K-₦200K), Core Service (₦300K-₦800K), Premium (₦1M-₦3M+).
Step 2: Build Credibility
Get certifications, document case studies, write LinkedIn posts, create portfolio website, collect testimonials, speak on podcasts.
Step 3: Land First 3 Clients
Strategy 1: Warm outreach to 50 target companies (5-10% response). Strategy 2: Referral program (₦50K-₦100K bonus). Strategy 3: Content marketing (3-6 months, then passive).
Step 4: The Consulting Process
- Discovery call (30 mins, free)
- Proposal (written, within 2 days)
- Kickoff (1 week in, deep dive)
- Execution (weeks 2-4, weekly check-ins)
- Delivery & follow-up (present findings, ask for referral, offer retainer)
Year 1 Projection
Q1: 2 clients @ ₦300K = ₦600K. Q2: 4 clients @ ₦400K = ₦1.6M. Q3: 6 clients @ ₦500K = ₦3M. Q4: 8 clients @ ₦500K = ₦4M. Total Year 1: ₦9.2M from 20 clients.
Your 30-Day Launch Plan
- Week 1: Get 1 certification, write 3 LinkedIn posts
- Week 2: Create portfolio site, get 3 testimonials
- Week 3: Identify 50 targets, research decision-makers
- Week 4: Outreach to 20 prospects, aim for 5 discovery calls
- Week 5: Close first client
You're now a consultant. Ready to scale.
How to Choose a Niche (The Money Test)
The best niche is where clients have a painful problem and a real budget. Ask:
- Is the problem urgent?
- Can you tie your work to revenue growth or cost reduction?
- Do decision-makers feel the pain directly?
Pricing: Project vs Retainer
- Project fee: fixed deliverables, clear scope, best for starting.
- Retainer: monthly support, predictable income, best once you have proof.
- Value-based pricing: charge based on outcome when you have strong case studies.
What to Put in Your Proposal
A good proposal makes it easy to say yes. Keep it simple:
- Problem summary (what you heard)
- Deliverables (what you will do)
- Timeline + milestones
- Fee + payment terms
- Next steps
Protect Yourself (Contracts & Scope)
Scope creep can destroy your profit. Use a basic contract and clarify:
- What’s included vs excluded
- How revisions work
- Payment schedule (e.g., 50% upfront)
- Confidentiality
Need legal templates? Explore Legal Services.
Get Found Without Begging (Visibility)
Outbound works, but inbound is better. Build a simple “trust stack”:
- Weekly LinkedIn posts sharing insights and mini case studies
- One-page portfolio site with services and results
- Testimonials and before/after outcomes
- A shareable profile page: list your consulting service on 9jaDirectory
Discovery Call Checklist (Close More Deals)
Most consulting sales are won on the discovery call. Ask better questions:
- What is the problem and why is it urgent now?
- What have you tried already and what failed?
- What is the impact on revenue, cost, or time?
- Who will approve the decision and what is the timeline?
Contracts & Payment Terms (Protect Your Profit)
- Milestones: define deliverables and what “done” means.
- Payment structure: common options are 50% upfront + 50% on delivery, or monthly retainer.
- Scope boundaries: list what is included and what is not included (prevents scope creep).
- Communication: set meeting frequency and response times.
FAQ
Do I need certifications to be a consultant?
Not always. Proof beats certificates. If you can show case studies, results, and testimonials, you can sell. Certifications help when competing for corporate clients.
How do I get my first client?
Start with warm networks and partnerships: vendors, agencies, and professionals who already serve your target clients. Offer a small “quick win” package to build proof fast.
Common Mistakes (That Reduce Your Fees)
- Selling “time” instead of outcomes: clients pay more for clear results than for hours.
- No proof: without case studies and testimonials, you compete on price.
- Weak boundaries: unclear scope leads to endless revisions and low profit.
- Talking to the wrong person: qualify the decision-maker early.
- Skipping follow-up: many deals close after 2–4 follow-ups, not the first call.
Fix these and your consulting income becomes more predictable.
Next Steps (Keep It Simple)
- Pick one niche and one offer you can explain in one sentence.
- Write one case study (even from a past job) and one testimonial.
- Do daily outreach to 5 ideal clients for 30 days.
Case Study Template (Copy This)
Case studies help you charge higher fees. Keep it short:
- Client type: who you helped (industry, size).
- Problem: what was broken and why it mattered.
- Process: what you did (3–5 bullets).
- Result: measurable outcome (revenue, cost saved, time saved).
- Testimonial: one quote if available.
Retainers (Predictable Income)
Once you deliver results, move clients from one-off projects to monthly retainers (support + reporting + optimization). Retainers stabilize cashflow and reduce constant selling.
Conclusion
Consulting pays well when you package an outcome, sell consistently, and deliver proof. Start with one niche, get results, then scale into retainers.
Pricing (Simple Guide)
Charge based on value, not only time. Start with a clear package price and scope. As your proof grows, increase fees and add retainers. If you solve expensive problems (revenue growth, compliance, cost reduction), you can charge more.
Next Step
List your consulting service on 9jaDirectory so clients can verify you, see your offer, and contact you fast.
