Lazimkey

How to Start a Consulting Business

First client in 30 days, six-figure run rate in year one.

Time: 2–3 weeksBudget: Under $1,0009 steps

Consulting is the lightest business type to launch — but pricing, positioning, and pipeline decide whether it grows past your first two clients.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. Lazimkey may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we would use ourselves.

  1. 1

    Pick one specific problem you solve

    'Marketing consultant' loses to 'demand-gen for B2B SaaS Seed–Series A' every time.

  2. 2

    Form an LLC, get an EIN

    Sole prop is fine to start; LLC gives you liability protection cheaply.

  3. 3

    Website that ranks for your niche

    Website

    Positioning page, case studies, contact form. Hostinger + a WordPress theme is enough — this is not the moment for a custom build.

    🟣
    Recommended tool
    Hostinger — Fast, affordable web hosting with a beginner-friendly control panel.
    Get HostingerLearn more
  4. 4

    CRM from day one

    CRM

    Every conversation, every referral, every follow-up. HubSpot's free CRM is what most solo consultants use.

    🧡
    Recommended tool
    HubSpot — All-in-one CRM covering sales, marketing, and customer service.
    Try HubSpot FreeLearn more
  5. 5

    Proposal + contract templates

    Reusable templates for scope, deliverables, and payment terms. Bento Bidder, Notion, or a Google Docs pack — pick one and stop reinventing.

  6. 6

    Publish 5 pieces of positioning content

    One idea, published in five places (LinkedIn, newsletter, guest post, podcast, YouTube). This becomes your inbound.

  7. 7

    SEO: rank for your exact service + niche

    SEO

    'B2B SaaS demand-gen consultant' should be findable. Semrush shows the exact terms.

    🟠
    Recommended tool
    Semrush — The industry-standard toolkit for SEO, PPC, and content research.
    Try SemrushLearn more
  8. 8

    First client — even at half price

    Trade $ for a case study. That case study wins the next 3 clients at full price.

  9. 9

    Raise price 20% every 3 clients

    The only pricing rule that matters in year one.

FAQ

S-Corp or LLC?
Start LLC. Convert to S-Corp election once profit exceeds ~$60k for tax savings — talk to a CPA.