video for you
What’s the difference between a consultant and a subject matter expert?
Let’s dive into it.
Typically, a consultant is someone who most likely has left corporate land to go out on their own and start their own business.
As a consultant, you’re essentially an extra set of hands brought in to help deliver projects.
You’re doing what you would be doing as an employee but now you’re doing it independently as a contractor.
Watch on: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube
You’re paid by the hour, by the day, maybe by the project, and you’re really helping deliver on a project that’s been laid out.
You usually get paid a bit more than your old salary.
Compare that to a subject matter expert.
This role isn’t just about being paid for being an extra set of hands or helping deliver by doing the grunt work.
You’re brought in because of your smarts, your experiences, your intellectual property.
What you bring to the table helps your client either fast track results or avoid pitfalls.
Essentially, you’re delivering value that is over and above just helping get the work done.
The way to do this is to unpack a lot of your intellectual property, build it out into frameworks, methodologies and processes.
This way when people engage you, they’re not just getting your ‘hours’, they’re getting your ‘smarts’ (aka IP).
You might have 5,10, 20 years worth of smarts (IP) which a company can benefit from.
Of course, that is a lot more valuable than just an hour of your time or a day of your time.
If you can factor that in as a subject matter expert, you’re bringing a lot more value to the table.
You’ll be earning a lot more for what you bring to the table because it’s a lot more valuable.
It’s okay to start as a consultant, but if you can also be a consultant who is also a subject matter expert, that’s where things start to get really exciting.
That’s the difference between a consultant and a subject matter expert.
Which camp do you fall into?
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.