Was I WRONG? (+ 1 page IP Guide)
Adam Franklin
Marketing Coach, Speaker & Author. CEO at Bluewire Media. Build marketing assets that drive business growth and unlock personal freedom. ? BGSOBA
I had a few readers respond about the difference between a consultant and a subject matter expert.
Hat tip to John Groarke 'mentor to consultants' at JEGMC in Sydney who replied promptly saying:
"I clicked on your email as soon as I saw the subject line ... because there is significant market confusion over the consultant word and the contractor word ... and interestingly I rarely see the subject matter expert phrase.
Unfortunately, I passionately believe you have added to the confusion, which is why I boldly included 'WRONG!!' in my subject line. It is my humble opinion that your 'consultant' is my 'contractor' and your 'subject matter expert' is my 'consultant'."
Fabulous!
I enjoyed this exchange because it has helped me tighten up my language and definitions.
I agree it's probably more helpful and accurate to group these roles together with the following definitions:
Consultant (aka Subject matter expert) = brings IP to the table. Contractor (aka Freelancer) = extra set of hands. It's not perfect but I hope I have done it justice.
What do you think?
Anyway, John and I both agreed that the 'real point' is that if you want to be paid handsomely (ie what you are worth) then you need to bring IP and smarts to the table rather than just an extra set hands.
This concise "Unpack Your IP" guide (1 page) outlines a dozen ways you can package up your ‘intellectual property (IP).
The great thing about unpacking your IP, aside from being a true subject matter expert and getting paid more...
.. is that you can then load that IP into a custom GPT.
A custom GPT can serve as a "Digital ~Contact.FirstName~" with all your knowledge and insights which can then help you create content, write emails, brainstorm ideas and do just about anything you can imagine.
领英推荐
I've built a custom "AI Adam" GPT and it's literally my virtual right-hand person.
I ask it questions all the time and just yesterday it gave me 20 content ideas for videos to record, wrote draft emails for me, and provided a list of questions my ideal clients have.
It's incredible.
Do you want a GPT too?
I'm inviting a small group of people to work with me inside my Bluewire Community? to build their own GPT over the next few months.
If this appeals, please DM me with the word GPT and I'll send you a link with the invitation.
Cheers,
Ads
PS. When you’re ready, here are 6 ways I can help you grow:
1. Download the Web Strategy Planning Template (PDF). Our flagship 1-page tool we co-created with David Meerman Scott. It’s been downloaded over one million times and featured on Forbes.
2. Read a free chapter from our book: Web Marketing That Works — — an Amazon #1 best seller.
3. Join the private group on Facebook. Access free training resources, and hang out with 2,200+ peers.
4. Discover your marketing score. Take the 40 point Marketing Scorecard (in < 6mins) and get a customised report.
5. DIY with the ChatGPT Prompt Stack. 20 page Google Doc of custom marketing prompts to ‘stack’ together to create your content assets.
6. Let’s brainstorm. ” Book a 20 min slot to talk on Zoom.
Helping businesses grow with efficency. I weave all the strands of digital marketing together into one strong thread of success.
9 个月Hi Adam, Yes, many terms are being used loosely these days. Generally, in my experience, consultants are engaged via very specific contracts and retainer agreements, many of which are based on a loose menu of services for $ per hour. Good contracts relate to the value created by the consultant, not by $per hour or day rates. Creating value can be measured by agreeing on the clients' budgets, targets, metrics, and goals. These should form the basis of a good contract for every project. In Digital Transformation and Design, we often manage cross-functional teams that bring unique skills to specific areas of expertise (subject matter experts?). This is the case in complex projects that span several business sectors and varied technologies. I see the term "fractional" CTO, CMO, or CFO getting some mileage lately. It is crazy that someone (a consultant) only brings a fraction of their experience and value to the table. The word "Fractional" is code for "no money for expertise." Interestingly, I note in the media that the Morrison Gov spent nearly $21 billion dollars on external consultants in one financial year!!! - the majority being US-based entities - I wonder what value was created since the government lost the election? ??