The unsexy truth about landing B2B clients (that nobody talks about)

Hi! You’re here because you’re a woman who runs an independent consulting business, and you want to learn how to make it more profitable. In our world, that means doing more of the work you love, with the clients you enjoy, and getting paid for your value, not your time.

Here, you'll discover effective strategies to implement in your consulting business, as well as hear inspiring stories from other smart and successful women who are also running their own consulting businesses. Along the way, you’ll learn that you can build the consulting business you want, that lets you live the life you want, and you’re not alone.?

I'm glad you're here! Let's dive in.

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You know what no one tells you when you start your consulting business?

Sure, finding the right people to talk to can be hard.

?? But the real challenge lies in what happens in between that first conversation and getting a yes - what we call "navigating the jungle" in The Academy.?

Picture this… You've had several great meetings with a potential client. All systems seem to be on go.

Then suddenly...

the board wants to do an internal capabilities assessment.

Or the key decision-maker goes on leave. Or the budget needs to be re-approved.

Here's what I know after working with hundreds of women consultants:

No sales process is straightforward. Especially when you're selling to businesses and nonprofits.

(Quick aside: This is exactly why it's crucial to work with someone who understands B2B sales. If your sales coach has only sold courses, or products, or coaching packages to individuals... they simply won't get the complexity of what you're dealing with.)

?? In this week's episode of The Smart Gets Paid Podcast, we're pulling back the curtain on this ‘navigating the jungle’ phase of the sales process - the part that takes the most time and throws the most wrenches in your plans.

You’ll be listening to a conversation I had with a member of The Academy, who’s an awesome fundraising consultant, and hear how I coached her through this exact problem.?

You'll learn:

1. Why slowing down your sales process can actually help you close deals faster
2. How to identify the specific markers that tell you a client is right for you
3. The power of controlling your process (and how to do it without being controlling)
4. Real examples of how successful consultants navigate unexpected obstacles

Look, I know this isn't the sexy part of business development. Everyone wants to talk about LinkedIn strategies and lead generation.

?? But here's the truth: If you can master this crucial phase of the sales process, you’ll be MUCH more successful at turning those leads into paying clients. Period.

Listen to the episode here: The Smart Gets Paid Podcast

?? Know another consultant who's struggling to navigate the jungle of their sales process? Forward them this email!

To your success, Leah

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Hi! I'm Leah Neaderthal. I'm a sales coach for women consultants and the founder of Smart Gets Paid.

When I left my corporate career and started my first consulting business, I learned three things very quickly:

1- It’s 1000x harder to sell your own stuff than to sell someone else’s.

2- Marketing is not selling.

3- I had no idea how to sell.

I needed clients, but I didn’t know how to actually get them, and I was terrified of coming off like a used car salesman. It made me doubt whether I was even cut out to run a business.

So I taught myself how to get new clients in a way that feels authentic, allows me to be myself, and that works consistently. I now teach these techniques to others. Because I know it’s possible to learn how to land clients, and actually feel comfortable doing it, once you know how.

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Whenever you’re ready to start landing higher-paying clients, here are three ways I can help you.

1. Listen to the Smart Gets Paid Podcast

You’ll hear me chat with my actual clients as we tackle their biggest challenges in getting new clients, and you’ll learn sales strategies you can use today in your own business. It's the only podcast that can help you land higher-paying clients in your B2B consulting business. Listen on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform.

2. Get your copy of Referrals on Repeat

If you’ve gotten clients through referrals or word-of-mouth, and you want to start getting referral clients more consistently, get your copy of Referrals on Repeat, and start getting more referrals coming into your business today: smartgetspaid.com/referrals

3. Break through to the next revenue level in your consulting business with help from my team and me.

Learn the proven, step-by-step system women like you are using to get more of the clients they want, get paid way more for their consulting contracts, and build confidence that they know what they’re doing to get clients. Send me a message here on LinkedIn with “Breakthrough” in the first line and I’ll get you the details.