If you’re avoiding thought leadership because you “don’t know what to say”, this episode is your turning point.

In Episode 227, Melisa dismantles the most common blocker independent consultants face when it comes to publishing thought leadership: not knowing what to share, or fearing they’ll just add noise.

She introduces a powerful mindset shift and practical system to consistently generate valuable, original content straight from your day-to-day consulting work.

This isn’t about carving out time you don’t have. It’s about extracting insight from conversations and deliverables you’re already doing, so you create dual value: for your clients and your business.

You’ll walk away with a method to build a sustainable thought leadership engine, one that strengthens your positioning, generates leads, and builds your reputation as a go-to expert.

Timestamps for Key Moments:

[05:12] What’s really behind “thought leadership block” and how to move through it.

[10:28] Why consultants avoid content creation and how to stop overthinking what to say.

[17:40] The ‘Circular Value Model’, a framework for turning your everyday client work into thought leadership.

[30:18] How to capture and productize your hidden IP using a two-column strategy.

[35:26] 5 steps to operationalize your thought leadership engine without needing extra hours in your week.

Tune in to Episode 227 to simplify your thought leadership process and make it a strategic asset in your consulting business.

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-227/
• Take The Consultant's Business Health Assessment https://assessments.melisaliberman.com/consulting-health-assessment
• Related Podcast Episode: Episode 148 – Overcoming A Thought Leadership Block, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-148/
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://www.consultmelisa.com

Want More?

• Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Visit with Melisa’s Website: www.melisaliberman.com
• Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman
• Get Notified When Melisa’s Products Launch: https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

You’ve made it halfway through the year — now what?

Too many independent consultants either stay the course out of habit or abandon their goals altogether. In this episode, Melisa walks you through a five-step framework to recalibrate and intentionally design a second half that actually aligns with what you want, not just what you committed to back in January.

This isn’t just another planning session. It’s a reset opportunity: to reassess what’s working, reimagine what’s possible, and realign your goals and mindset so you don’t end the year in burnout or disappointment.

Melisa shares real client examples, powerful reflection questions, and practical tools to help you create a second-half plan that’s strategic, motivating, and sustainable.

Timestamps for Key Moments:

[05:00] How to assess your business with precision using 5 core systems and why most consultants guess instead of measure

[10:00] Why reimagining your path (not just your goal) is the key to motivation and sustainability

[15:00] How to set second-half goals that stretch you and align with your bigger vision

[20:00] The importance of operationalizing your plan so business-owner time doesn’t get pushed aside

[25:00] How to align your mindset with your vision and think like the business owner who already hit the goal

Tune in to Episode 226 for a grounded, actionable framework to help you finish the year with clarity, confidence, and control.

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-226/
• Read Chapters 4&5 in Melisa’s book, Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXJBGVB
• Related Podcast Episode: Episode 200 - What's Possible for your Consulting Business, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-200/ ️
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://www.consultmelisa.com

Want More?

• Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Visit with Melisa’s Website: www.melisaliberman.com
• Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman
• Get Notified When Melisa’s Products Launch: https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

What are enterprise buyers really looking for in 2025 when they bring in external talent?

This week, Melisa is joined by industry veteran Brian Hoffmeyer (known as “Hoff”), who returns to the podcast to share invaluable, behind-the-scenes insights from his vantage point at Beeline, the world’s largest independent vendor management system.

Whether you're working directly with enterprise clients or supporting mid-size firms, this conversation gives you the macro trends you need to know in order to position yourself as the obvious choice. You'll hear why independent consultants are gaining momentum (despite a flat contingent labor market), and how to shift your strategy to stand out, especially if your buyers are navigating complex approval processes, rate cards, or risk-averse procurement teams.

You’ll also hear hard truths about hourly pricing, why outcome-based work is on the rise, and how to use “micro-consortiums” to expand your value and win bigger work, all without trying to mimic a traditional firm.

Timestamps for Key Moments:

[06:50] What enterprise clients are prioritizing in 2025 when it comes to independent consultants and external talent.

[10:25] Why statement-of-work and outcome-based engagements are gaining favor and how to structure your services accordingly.

[17:14] How consultants can de-risk the buying process by becoming an internal guide, not just an external vendor.

[24:50] What’s getting approved and what’s not, inside client organizations, from project types to pricing models.

[29:45] The rise of the “independent consortium” and how to leverage it without formal partnerships.

Tune in to Episode 225 for a high-level strategic view and tactical insights to help you stay relevant, de-risked, and in demand.

Related Resources

• Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-225/
• Read Chapter 14 in Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXJBGVB
• Related Podcast Episode: ️Episode 034 – Strategies from an Expert in the Corporate Consulting Buyer (An Interview with Brian Hoffmeyer), https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-34/
• Work with Melisa: Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at https://www.consultmelisa.com
• Connect with Hoff: Brian Hoffmeyer - Beeline | LinkedIn

Want More?

• Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book
• Visit with Melisa’s Website: www.melisaliberman.com
• Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman
• Get Notified When Melisa’s Products Launch: https://www.melisaliberman.com/growth-atlas-products

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.