The Paradox of Paid Consultations: Why Some Business Owners Seem Reluctant to Act
As a consultant for small business owners, I’ve encountered a surprising trend during my paid consults. More often than not, it feels less like a strategic session and more like a therapy appointment. My clients, primarily seeking guidance on enhancing their Instagram presence, express a desire for increased engagement, broadened reach, and accelerated growth. I genuinely enjoy these sessions, especially when I connect with clients who are committed to implementing change—it’s truly a game changer.
However, a significant number of them don’t take action post-consultation. Despite diving deep into critical areas such as brand clarity, messaging effectiveness, content strategy, profile optimization, and audience engagement, many leave the session without making any adjustments. It’s almost as if they’ve paid for the opportunity to vent rather than to enact the advice given. As I sit with this realization, I can’t help but wonder—why does this happen?
Perhaps my perspective differs from theirs. As a business owner myself, I am deeply invested in my success and carry a profound understanding of my customer base—because after all, they’re the lifeblood of my revenue. This commitment makes me question the mindset of those who seek help but ultimately remain stagnant.
I find myself genuinely curious: why invest in professional guidance and then refrain from acting on it? What drives individuals to go halfway on a journey they claim to want to pursue?
Is this phenomenon widespread, or am I merely encountering a unique set of clients? It raises important questions about commitment to growth and the challenges that many entrepreneurs face. In the end, engagement and results stem from taking action—something that goes beyond just discussing ideas in a consultation.
So, for fellow consultants and business owners, how do you navigate this dilemma, and what solutions can be implemented to encourage greater follow-through? Your insights would be invaluable as we seek to foster actionable change in the entrepreneurial community.
One Comment
You’ve touched on a critical aspect of consulting that often goes overlooked—the psychology of change and the barriers to action. It’s insightful to recognize that investing time and money doesn’t automatically translate into transformation. Often, entrepreneurs face emotional, psychological, or even subconscious obstacles such as fear of failure, perfectionism, or imposter syndrome, which can hinder their willingness to implement change despite their desire for growth.
One approach to increase follow-through is to incorporate accountability mechanisms into your sessions—perhaps setting clear, measurable goals with check-in points or even pairing clients with peer accountability groups. Additionally, framing your advice as a partnership where you support them through the implementation process can boost commitment. Sometimes, revisiting the “why” behind their goals at each stage helps renew motivation and clarify their purpose.
Creating initial small wins during consultations or following up with personalized action plans can also build confidence and momentum. Ultimately, understanding that behavior change takes time and addressing the emotional components alongside strategic advice can significantly improve follow-through. Thanks for raising this important discussion—it’s a reminder that consulting is as much about mindset as it is about strategy.