5 ESSENTIAL STEPS TO SECURE YOUR FIRST SOLO CONSULTING CONTRACT IN THE USA OR CANADA

Carlos Perez Alviarez
Jun 17
3 min read

Want Your First Consulting Client in the USA or Canada? Here's the Real 5-Step Strategy

You’re thinking about becoming an independent consultant, but let’s be honest, the idea of landing that first clientcan feel overwhelming.

You ask yourself:

How do I become an independent consultant?

How do I open a consulting firm?

How much do consultants make?

What does a solid business consultant business plan even look like?

Let me give you the exact 5-step process I wish I had when I was starting a consulting business over a decade ago. Whether you're in the U.S. or Canada, this roadmap will help you avoid costly mistakes and fast-track your first win.

✅ 1. Incorporate Like a Professional

You can’t charge proper consulting services fees without a proper setup.

USA: Choose between LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp
Canada: Incorporate federally or provincially for maximum credibility
Get your EIN or BN, register your business, and set up business banking
Draft a strong, compliant contract for clients
Secure liability insurance and proper permits

💡 Tip: Electing S-Corp status in the U.S. may reduce self-employment taxes and maximize your business consultant income

💼 2. Build Your Independent Consultant Brand

North American clients won't take you seriously without a clear and consistent professional image.

Create a polished LinkedIn profile that markets you as a credible strategy consultant
Build a website showcasing services, testimonials, and client results
Write case studies with measurable ROI
Use consistent branding across platforms

📘 Want help? My book on consulting, Becoming a Solo Consultant – The Consultant’s Compass, walks you through this in detail.

💰 3. Plan for Profit, Not Panic

Financial prep is non-negotiable when you're starting a consulting business.

Save at least 3 to 6 months of living expenses
Set your rates with confidence by factoring in:
- Strategy consulting fees
- Management consulting fees
- Health insurance, tools, and marketing
- Quarterly taxes (IRS or CRA)

💡 If you want to understand how much consultants make, it starts with knowing what to charge, and that’s different in Canada vs. the U.S.

I include a rate calculator in my book for consultation, along with strategies to calculate real consultation cost and pricing models.

🎯 4. Find and Own Your Niche

If you’re asking “How to be an independent consultant?”, this is your answer: specialization.

Identify what makes your services valuable and unique
Research demand for your skills in your region
Get certified if needed
Design targeted offers for specific client pain points
Communicate clear ROI every time

🔥 Generic = invisible. Niche = profitable. Clients pay more when they understand the outcome.

🤝 5. Use Smart Networking and Recruiter Channels

Even the best consulting book won’t replace networking, but it will help you do it strategically.

Attend industry events in your city
Reconnect with old colleagues and mentors
Register with recruiters like Robert Half, Hays, Randstad
Join associations in your field (CAMA, AMA, etc.)
Use platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, and professional forums

📢 You don’t need 100 clients. You need one. And your next one might already know you.

📘 Want the Full System in Your Hands?

My strategy consulting book, Becoming a Solo Consultant – The Consultant’s Compass, is the blueprint I wish I had when I was becoming an independent consultant after being laid off.

It covers everything from how to become an independent consultant, calculate your consultation cost, create a business consultant business plan, and land your first client, without relying on luck.

💥 Regular Price: $79.99 — Promo Price: $49.99

Includes 7 practical bonuses, like: