What do you do if your income as a self-employed CRM consultant is inconsistent?

1. Start with having a budget and a plan for your personal and professional needs. This will give you clarity on the income part and how to manage it. 2. Once that part is clear make sure that your clients pay for the software and the tools that would help you with the consistent service provider and cut the expenses. 3. Keep upskilling as much as possible through different sources and learn about the updates in your industry. 4. Network with people online and offline and that is how you will get to know more people who would require your services more. 5. Reflect on the feedback that you seek and work on the gaps if any and that would help you in getting better results. 6. Invest wisely from early on for financial security.

As Jennifer Lawrence said "If you can't control your money, then you can't control your life." that's why budgeting is very important specially when you have inconsistent income. So, Create a budget that considers both your high and low-income months. Set aside a portion of your earnings during peak times to cover expenses during slower periods. Anyone can start from very famous 50-30-20 rule, which says allocate your 50% of income to necessities, 30% toward entertainment and 20% toward savings and debt reduction. Start #budgeting.

If your income as a self-employed CRM consultant fluctuates, start by creating a budget to manage finances during lean periods. Diversify your services and invest in marketing to attract more clients. Secure retainer agreements for steady income. Specialize in a niche to stand out. Monitor expenses closely and build an emergency fund. Keep learning and seek support from mentors. With perseverance and smart financial management, you can navigate income inconsistencies and build a thriving consulting business.

In my experience, CRM projects work better priced using a fixed fee model but are followed by a retainer fee for ongoing and longer term support. Breaking the CRM project down into individually priced sections gives clients more control over their budget and flexibility on what they need your support for. In turn this makes it easier for you to work out how much capacity you might have to take on other projects so you can market accordingly in the meantime. Following implementation I offer a fixed period of CRM support (if not offered by the supplier). Any support required after this period moves the client onto a monthly retainer model, which can also include other BD services - and are now more effective due to having a CRM platform!

Consider offering retainer agreements with clients to secure a steady income stream. These agreements can guarantee a certain number of hours per month. Offer them additional services so that they feel valuable. In future you can plug in your other services with high rates. Make reliable and faithful customers don't make only sales.

Upskilling means to enhance your knowledge and expertise in customer relationship management (CRM) tools and techniques. By doing so, you're not just improving your skill set; you're also increasing your value as a consultant in the competitive market. Upskilling ensures that you stay relevant and competitive in the ever-evolving field of CRM. It is essential for the long-term viability of your career as a CRM consultant. It's a strategic investment that can yield significant returns in terms of career advancement, income growth, and overall professional satisfaction.

One should review pricing strategy to ensure it reflects the value one provides. Consider adjusting price rates if necessary to better align with market demand and one's financial goals. After all customer is paying price for the value they are expecting. One can use trial period using small ticket size for easy tasks and then market various services according to different price brackets.