How to Hire a Blog Consultant Checklist

Learn whether or not you’re ready and how to hire a blog consultant and get the free, 20-point checklist to help you decide who it should be and what is best for your blogging business!

TL:DR – Use the free checklist to determine if you’re ready to hire a blog consultant and how to find one that is the right fit for you.

There are affiliate links in this article, which could mean I may receive a commission if you purchase something. To read more about my affiliate partners, see my full disclosure here.

Thinking of Hiring a Consultant?

Recently, I had a discovery call with a well-established blogger referred by a client. When speaking to this potential client, she indicated she “had wasted money on coaches in the past,” and was a bit apprehensive on hiring anyone else.

Understandably, I told her that I would give her a checklist with all the points I use myself before hiring anyone.

My purpose here is to educate you on how to decide whether or not to hire a blog consultant to help you grow your business.

Use a Checklist Before You Hire a Blog Consultant

So, what should you do before hiring someone? Because you’ll be evaluating multiple candidates, you need something to guide you. Today, I’m sharing the 20-point checklist I use and gave to this caller.

A consultant’s job is to guide you, providing advice, straight-talk, accountability, and support while you towards your goals. It’s the number one question on the checklist for good reason and if you don’t have a specific goal in mind, use a free discovery call to talk with a consultant about your general plan.

[Tweet “Click here to learn what a blog consultant will and will not do for you.”]

Get the checklist for yourself, even if you’re not considering hiring me. I used these evaluation points when I was seeking my own business consultant and even Neil Patel recommends going through advanced checks before hiring him as a consultant! It’s in the Library for all newsletter subscribers, right next to the other resources that will help guide you in growing your blogging business.

How to Hire a Blog Consultant

In the checklist, I take you through individual items to consider well before you consider the individual consultants. Below is a discussion on three items to help you decide how to hire a consultant.

Investigate

Put on your sleuthing hat and ask yourself some questions:

• Do they help when not being paid? Outside of their own Facebook group are they helpful?
• When they are tagged, do they respond?
• 

Are they giving advice freely or simply pushing their programs, courses?
• Do any of your fellow bloggers or entrepreneurs know them?
• Go to LinkedIn. Have they publicized their coaching, strategist, or consulting business?
• Find out if people have worked and would recommend working with the person.

See Past the Marketing

Is their business professional? Do they lead with landing pages promising results that seem out of the ordinary or too good to be true? They probably are. Don’t fall for the hype.



A styled photo shoot is NOT an indication of a successful coach.

A swanky marketing ad on Facebook doesn’t mean they have experience. 
Flashy does not equal successful:

• $200,000 a year after 12 months!
• $50,000 launch from their first course!
• You can do it today with no experience or expertise!

Some of these are stellar performances (kudos to them) and others are that stinky stuff that goes in the toilet. 

The marketing image is powerful and one can quickly get sucked in. Be sure not to fall for the hype. 
Your goal is to see through the marketing.

Most of us rely on our referrals because our clients are walking, successful testimonials for the work we do.

 

Try Before You Buy

Get a free discovery call with the consultant. First, a definition: a discovery call is where you discuss your business with a consultant.

Most of ask a series of questions to get past the basic stuff. I take it one step further and do about 30 minutes worth of research on you before sending a customized questionnaire.

If you’ve worked with me or even had a discovery call, you’ll know that I use that time to learn about you. I offer advice, sure, and even give a call summary and an action plan, however, the biggest part of that call is finding out if we are comfortable together.

When you get off the phone with a consultant, you should:

• feel comfortable in speaking to them about your business.
• have a sense that a strong, open communication channel is possible.
• be confident they have experience in what you seek help with.

Summary

Get your checklist and learn how to hire a blog consultant before deciding whether you should. Your goal, investment, and comfort level should all be evaluated before making the decision to hire anyone.

Please pin this to #elevateeveryone !