How to be paid as a startup consultant

#1

Post by ced83fra » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 2:59 PM UTC

I would like to start a business as Startup Consultancy. That would provide feedback, an external point of view, assistance and support for people in order for them to have more chance to succeed in their startup. However startups have no money to start with. So it's hard to make them pay as little as 5oo€/$500 per month for this kind of service.

What are the different way to make money for this kind of consultancy in the short or long term ?

Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#2

Post by PaulHoule » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 3:12 PM UTC

There are plenty of startups that have $50k or $500k of funding. Most of them are going to be frugal, but it is very realistic to sell them $2000 to $20,000 worth of something.

Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#3

Post by bsvalley » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 3:22 PM UTC

Look at YC model. Ask for shares!

Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#4

Post by nnn1234 » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 3:27 PM UTC

The difficulty is not in getting them to pay but showing your credibility. There is tons of free information on the internet why should a startup pay you?

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Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#5

Post by tarr11 » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 3:30 PM UTC

One idea may be to bundle or "set up their systems" for free - accounting, CRM, credit cards, website, SEM, etc. This would save them probably a few hundred hours of research and configuration. Charge them a nominal monthly fee to manage it all.

Then, when you get known for doing this and have lots of clients, charge the SaaS companies an affiliate marketing fee to be included in your bundle.

Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#6

Post by noahmbarr » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 5:29 PM UTC

Seek cash.

You can't eat equity or options.

Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#7

Post by ariestiyansyah » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 5:41 PM UTC

tarr11 wrote: post #5

One idea may be to bundle or "set up their systems" for free - accounting, CRM, credit cards, website, SEM, etc. This would save them probably a few hundred hours of research and configuration. Charge them a nominal monthly fee to manage it all. Then, when you get known for doing this and have lots of clients, charge the SaaS companies an affiliate marketing fee to be included in your bundle.

Totally agree with this idea.

Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#8

Post by HeyLaughingBoy » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 6:38 PM UTC

First figure out if that's what they want in the first place.

Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#9

Post by shosko » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 7:06 PM UTC

Offer strategy and design. Most people with ideas and a little bit of funding need this kind of help the most.

Re: How to be paid as a startup consultant

#10

Post by romanhn » Tue, Feb 14, 2017, 8:04 PM UTC

What are your credentials? What hard-earned experience in this area do you have to offer others?

This is not intended as snark, but there's certain irony in asking others for help with a business model when that is precisely the kind of service you wish to offer.