Help me improve this freelance consulting/problem solving business model

[inverse Paranoid]

This model is designed to get me as much as experience as possible so I can improve my skills and grow a consulting/problem solving business from the ground up.

For my purposes, I don't have any particular expertise, I've just got a great mix of critical and creative thinking skills coupled with the ability to easily imagine relevant analogies and a strong way with words. I'd also much rather work with a wide variety of problems rather than try to find a niche because I thrive at finding connections between seemingly disparate things.

Here's the basic model:

1. Create a website with information describing why I can offer people unique insights to their problems and outlining the process described below.
   
2. Allow anyone to email me a description of their problem and advertise on my site that I will give free feedback to problems that I feel I have unique insights to offer on.
   
3. Advertise this free service in my signature on relevant forums
   
4. Read all the emails.
   
5. Respond to the problems that intrigue me or that I have a solution to via recorded audio, potentially coupling this with visual aids to help them understand what I'm conveying, and links to any resources I may have mentioned. Talk and draw up visuals via computer on the fly, editting as little as possible so I can groom myself for real-time consulting skills. (I envision using a consulting format where we talk via skype and share visual aid either through screen sharing software or by sending files on the fly).
6. Include a request for feedback with every response and let them know that if they have more questions they can set up an over-the-phone consultation with me or, if they feel they got the answer they were looking for, to feel free to donate.
   
7. Develop email templates to respond to common problems that can nudge people in the right direction without taking up any more of my time.
   
8. Build up my skills, add testimonials, and emphasize on my website all the unique benefits I can offer to paying clients because I've solved such a wide array of problems.
   
9. As I gain more and more experience, I'll be able to add original articles or start a blog or podcast to offer passive value by sharing the knowledge I've acquired and also increase the traffic to my site.
   
10. If demand ever gets to the point where I can't handle all the free requests coming in, I'll look for other people who are interested in doing this kind of work and offer them an apprenticeship. They'd get free exposure to my traffic, and free experience answering responses in exchange for reading through all the emails and only passing along the ones they feel I'd be especially good at solving or that they don't have an answer for. They'd also be free to advertise their consulting services with every problem they solve and I'd provide links to their sites (if they have one) as further means to drive them business/traffic.

All questions/comments/feedback appreciated.

[spirit4711]

Interesting!

@4: enticing people to try your service is the biggie. I hope you're successful there. Especially at the start you don't have credibility I guess. YOu might set up a list of problems you've solved so far, and ask people whose problem it was to give you a positive comment.

@5: it'll take time to create it, but as you go it'll be an easy way to deliver solutions.

@6: this is where you make money, right? To get people to pay for your time on the phone. Cool!

In general: if you're too successful (too many clients to handle) you might consider increasing the fees to a level that you can handle the clients. Steve wrote something like that on Erin's reading business.

Apprentices sound great, but need supervising and time. Can they deliver the same quality as yourself? If so, they might learn the trade with you, then set up for themselves. If you're OK with that, no problem.

Let us know how it goes!

[inverse Paranoid]

Originally Posted by spirit4711

@4: enticing people to try your service is the biggie. I hope you're successful there. Especially at the start you don't have credibility I guess.

Yeah, this is a good point. Now that I think about it, I could put up samples of what I do by tackling particularly intriguing problems posted elsewhere (forums, blog comments) and adding a response to that post/comment with a link to my audio response/visual aid. This would offer a more interactive medium through which the person could see their problem while truly showcasing the value I can provide. I'd also email/pm the person to make sure their OK with me putting a response to their problem on my page, respecting their privacy if they ask me to take it down.

I could also post audio/visual solutions that arise from emails. Even include checkboxes in the submission form giving them options like if successfully solved, I can share this solution with others... [ ] "only in essence by changing the names and situation specifics" [ ] "by editing out the names of the people involved" [ ] "as is." Even offering people the further option to change their preference, after hearing my response, if they feel it was more personal/impersonal than they had expected.

YOu might set up a list of problems you've solved so far, and ask people whose problem it was to give you a positive comment.

Good idea!

@6: this is where you make money, right? To get people to pay for your time on the phone. Cool!

This is the mid-term goal. In the end, the hope is to channel the knowledge/experience I gain into vehicles for passive income.

In general: if you're too successful (too many clients to handle) you might consider increasing the fees to a level that you can handle the clients. Steve wrote something like that on Erin's reading business.

Apprentices sound great, but need supervising and time. Can they deliver the same quality as yourself? If so, they might learn the trade with you, then set up for themselves. If you're OK with that, no problem.

There's probably a vibrational gap between the people who would take the time to submit questions for the free service and the people who would rather pay money for results they can bank on. As I get better and better and move toward being a match for the clients who are willing to dish out the dough for innovative solutions, I'll need to service less and less free requests.

Working with apprentices is a good first step toward being able to tackle bigger problems. Eventually I envision working with a team of problem solvers and tackling the problems that really get my juices flowing. I'll need to learn how to work alongside people if I want to grow into the role of tackling the big issues, so this would be a great first step toward interdependency.

Let us know how it goes!

Thanks for your input, will do!

[Angela]

Inverse, you might want to consider your focus here: do you want to solve problems, or do you want to help people solve their own problems? Big difference!

You might consider a problem solved -- "all you have to do is what I tell you to do!" -- while the person, with their unconscious commitments, may hear what you say and either accept it or reject it. The problem is still there, and now you've got the added problem of them, or you, thinking that the person should take your advice!

So, what is your criteria for a successfully solved problem? How will you know when a problem is solved?

Personally, I consider "success" as: the problem has disappeared -- the person can't find a problem. Success is especially present if the person laughs at the idea of there having ever been a problem.

I'm not asking you to give me an answer -- just to think about what success in your business would look, sound, and feel like -- so that you'll be able to recognize it when you have it.

[inverse Paranoid]

Problems exist to lead you to an easier way. If there wasn't an easier way of doing something, there wouldn't be a problem. Once you've found an easier way that works for you, you're on your way.

Originally Posted by Angela

do you want to solve problems, or do you want to help people solve their own problems?

The problem is never really the problem. The point of solving a problem is to learn to better understand yourself. It's taking a look at the external situation and seeing how you created it. Once you can understand that, the cause of the problem is yours, and only yours to solve.

So, what is your criteria for a successfully solved problem? How will you know when a problem is solved?

You'll know a problem is solved when you're no longer creating it. It hasn't disappeared, you're just no longer manifesting it.

All problems stem from choice, and all choice from a point a freedom. Reconnecting people with the freedom to choose is what drives me to do this sort of work.

Through the lens of Oneness, any freedom abdicated by another is a freedom I too have tossed aside. I believe in the joy of picking that freedom back up. Of using it to remember who we are.

Each time I help re-member another, I am reminded of a seminal choice I made long ago: I am here to set Me free.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by inverse Paranoid

You'll know a problem is solved when you're no longer creating it. It hasn't disappeared, you're just no longer manifesting it.

I will?

That's great. I totally agree with you that the freedom you create for others, you will take personally and it will be yours as well. Now, how will you know when you've successfully achieved that freedom? Will it be because YOU know the problems is solved and YOU are no longer creating it? Or will it be because the person is no longer creating a problem? How will you know, specifically, that they are no longer creating a problem, and that the "case" is complete?

[inverse Paranoid]

Originally Posted by Angela

I will?

That's great. I totally agree with you that the freedom you create for others, you will take personally and it will be yours as well. Now, how will you know when you've successfully achieved that freedom?

Oh Angela, Angela, Angela! Always taking me a bit deeper.

Alright, I'll play your game.

On a personal level, I'll know the problem is solved when I stop attracting people with that problem. If enough people have similar problems, I'll be able to see the problem from ever more diverse angles, and eventually unlock the truth at its core. When that happens, the mystery will be gone for me and I'll move on to attracting something new.

As far as clients go, I'll be sure to share any further insights I uncover down the road with them, but what they do with that information is up to them. It wouldn't be freedom if I forced them to see the truth, so I'll only go so far as to remind them of their options.

In those cases, freedom must be allowed to collapse onto itself. That's how depth is created. Torches of truth collapse inward to become black holes.

Will it be because YOU know the problems is solved and YOU are no longer creating it? Or will it be because the person is no longer creating a problem?

The search for truth is a lot like hide and seek. The fun of the game comes in playing it and the people hiding are just as important as the seekers. But in truth, we all play both roles.

How will you know, specifically, that they are no longer creating a problem, and that the "case" is complete?

A case is complete only so far as it does not represent itself. A case is a hiding spot, not a hidden truth. When you've solved a case you've discovered a truth, but you haven't eliminated the hiding spot.

Every newly discovered truth is a victory won on the playing field that problems present. Trying to eliminate problems would be like trying to kill the goose that lays the golden clues. My goal is simply to follow the trail of truths as far as my legs can take me, knowing full well that new truths may be hiding in old hiding spots.

The universe is full of twists and turns. I'm fully prepared to follow an equally winding path to discover what truths lie at its center.

[Angela]

You're not playing my game, you're playing your own!

I'm asking you about how you'll know you're successful in your business goal of solving people's problems, and you are answering with a whole bunch of philosophy.

It's great, and it's helpful for personal development, but it's not much of a business model, because there's nothing in there that's specific or measurable.

Online discussions are great for exploring philosophical avenues for solving problems, but if you are making a business of it, it would be a good idea for you to have some specific, measurable way of knowing or showing that you can do it. What you are describing -- sharing your insights and reminding people of they're options -- sounds like being a guru, which is fun, but again, it's not a business model. A business model has some way for which the entrepreneur can measure his effectiveness at achieving his stated intent. Your stated intent was: problem solving; and you say that "Trying to eliminate problems would be like trying to kill the goose that lays the golden clues." It's a bit contradictory, from an effectiveness standpoint, don't you think? It certainly would be to investors or advertisers. Not to mention paying customers.

What I'm asking you, in the context of your business model, is: What value do you provide, and how will you know you've provided it? If you can't answer that in a short line or two, you're talking philosophy again, not business model.

[Lauxa]

You can't be competent to solve every problem so what types of problems do you want to solve? At least I assume you're not a lawyer, doctor, accountant, psychiatrist, and engineer all wrapped into one. Perhaps you want to answer personal development questions from the perspective of New Age philosophy?

There was one website I liked a while back called "Ask Moxie" and she would have people submit parenting questions and answer two a week. Then readers could add their own comments and experiences onto her answers. IMO, this created a lot more value than just getting a single perspective.

[inverse Paranoid]

Originally Posted by Angela

You're not playing my game, you're playing your own!

I'm asking you about how you'll know you're successful in your business goal of solving people's problems, and you are answering with a whole bunch of philosophy.

Lol, you'll have to excuse me. I've sometimes been accused of not having a left-brain. I'll try to stay on topic here.

What I'm asking you, in the context of your business model, is: What value do you provide, and how will you know you've provided it? If you can't answer that in a short line or two, you're talking philosophy again, not business model.

What value do I provide?
I help people find compelling solutions that are more fun to apply than it would be to simply live with the problem.

How will I know when I've provided it?
When I receive feedback from people who are joyfully moving forward in areas where they were previously stuck.


The New Business Model:
(Explained from the end result, working my way backwards)

1. I'll have a blast receiving an abundance of exposure, compensation, experience, and new insights as I work with people from all walks of life, with all ranges of challenging problems.
   
2. By tackling the really tough problems in a joy-filled way I'll resonate most with the people who put their happiness over their pocketbooks. This will give me the edge of attracting clients who've already calibrated themselves for joyous success stories that spread with viral word of mouth.
   
3. From a business perspective, people will choose to work with me on the problems they've been procrastinating on most. They'll do this because I'll have qualified myself as someone who take even the most difficult problems and find a way to have fun with them. That way the problem they've been loathing is no longer so scary. It becomes approachable, they can joke around with it, and at last move forward with their lives.
   
4. I'll pre-qualify myself by offering tons of free examples of how I work and sharing video testimonials from beaming satisfied customers. And expand my reach by offering original articles sharing the things I've learned through a medium that targets a different audience than video.
   
5. I'll obtain tons of free samples by solving problems for free via YouTube, asking users to shoot a quick video explaining their problem and then responding to it using my colorful personality, natural gesticularity, and enthusiasm to reframe their problem in an exciting joy-filled way. Since YouTube users are already used to responding back and forth, I'll get plenty of feedback and soon have an abundance of video testimonials from authentic customers that I provided genuine value for. And I'll include links with every video to drive viewers to my website which explains my more in-depth pay services.
   
6. I'll get the word out about my free service by providing unsolicited responses to problems presented by well known YouTube personalities, everyday people who's videos I happen to stumble upon, and I may even start a video blog answering more general problems with answers that may sound startlingly impractical but work.
   
7. I'll use my way with words and penchant for making philosophical arguments to outline the method behind my madness and get people excited about the prospect of working with me.
   
8. I'll build up my general competency by practicing with friends and people I already know to get an idea of how I work and have a guaranteed avenue for feedback.
   
9. I'll work out the kinks in my business plan by sharing my ideas with intelligent people and getting their feedback to help me avoid problems I can't even see. This will help me get clearer on every step I take along the way and the responses their questions elicit from me will begin to lay the foundation of the website I'll build and the service I'm providing.
   
10. I'll thank Angela for all her wonderful questions and helping me to refocus on the business end of things after I wandered into philosophical fantasy land!

[inverse Paranoid]

Hey Lauxa, thanks for your response.

Originally Posted by Lauxa

You can't be competent to solve every problem so what types of problems do you want to solve? At least I assume you're not a lawyer, doctor, accountant, psychiatrist, and engineer all wrapped into one. Perhaps you want to answer personal development questions from the perspective of New Age philosophy?

I want to answer all sorts of questions from the perspective of someone who sees the world as one giant playground. Any problem that gets in the way of you experiencing joy is one that falls into my niche. I don't have to be competent enough to solve every problem. I just need to be find the angle that nudges them in the direction of joy. I can always pass on responding if I feel like I don't have something especially valuable to offer.

There was one website I liked a while back called "Ask Moxie" and she would have people submit parenting questions and answer two a week. Then readers could add their own comments and experiences onto her answers. IMO, this created a lot more value than just getting a single perspective.

I'm definitely going to be looking for ways to make the model more Web 2.0. The more feedback and insights I or the question asker can elicit from third parties, the more ideas and options we'll have to work with. Comments and video responses are a good way to start, but I'm sure I'll be able to find more innovative solutions to getting more people involved as the need arises.

[spirit4711]

Originally Posted by inverse Paranoid

...
I'll thank Angela for all her wonderful questions and helping me to refocus on the business end of things after I wandered into philosophical fantasy land!
...

LOL you could partner up with an Angela type to keep you on the straight and narrow! Would make a killer team!

Now I get what it is that you want. Sounds like a great concept! Where can we find the vids?

Maybe I'll do something similar (but in a different field, no competition) with vids of my own.

[inverse Paranoid]

Originally Posted by spirit4711

LOL you could partner up with an Angela type to keep you on the straight and narrow! Would make a killer team!

Haha, yeah, I'm definitely going to keep some people around who can keep my feet on the ground.

Sounds like a great concept! Where can we find the vids?

And some spirit4711s to keep me motivated!

I may be shooting some business related video with a life coach friend of mine later today, so maybe I'll do something off-the-cuff and have some samples to work with soon.

Maybe I'll do something similar (but in a different field, no competition) with vids of my own.

Feel free to make any sort of videos you'd like. If I didn't feel I could handle competition I wouldn't be sharing my ideas publicly. The beauty of sharing your best ideas is that it frees you up to discover new ones.

In truth, it'd be nice to have someone else trying out the business model to compare notes with. Abundance mentality, FTW.