Who should I follow to learn about Independent Consulting?

If you’re serious about learning **independent consulting as a business** - not just “how to freelance” - I’d follow a small group rather than 50 creators. These are the people I’d start with: - **Jonathan Stark** - probably the best starting point for solo consultants. His focus is **value-based pricing, positioning, selling expertise, and escaping hourly billing**. He publishes very frequently, and his archive now has 3,600+ daily emails. [Ready to get off the hourly hamster wheel? | Jonathan Stark](https://jonathanstark.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **Start with:** *Ditching Hourly* and his *Independent Consulting Manual*. - **David C. Baker** - excellent for the deeper business strategy of being an expert: **specialization, positioning, authority, lead generation, and building a high-value practice**. His *The Business of Expertise* is particularly relevant. [The Business of Expertise](https://www.expertise.is/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Blair Enns** - follow him for **selling expertise without commoditizing yourself**, especially if you're in creative, marketing, strategy, or another professional-service field. His ideas around value conversations and refusing the traditional pitch are particularly useful. [Undisputed Authority | Blair Enns](https://www.liamcurley.co.uk/episodes/blair-enns?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Michael Zipursky** - worth following for the more practical **client acquisition, positioning, and consulting-business systems** side of things. His Consulting Success material is specifically aimed at independent consultants. [Best Newsletters for Consultants in 2026](https://thesovereigntechnologist.com/topics/best-newsletters-for-experienced-consultants?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Rochelle Moulton** - especially useful if you're interested in becoming a **recognized authority/solo expert rather than simply selling hours**. Jonathan Stark specifically recommends her for soloists wanting to increase authority by spending more time in their “genius zone.” [If you aren't reading Jonathan Stark's stuff regularly, you really should. He understands positioning and pricing exceedingly well. My podcast co-host, Blair Enns, is also in that category, but some… | David C. Baker | 19 comments](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dcb_if-you-arent-reading-jonathan-starks-stuff-activity-7223725041014767618-x-C8?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### If you only follow 3 I'd make it: **1. Jonathan Stark → pricing & business model** **2. David C. Baker → positioning & expertise** **3. Blair Enns → selling & client conversations** There's a useful reason for this combination: Stark himself points people toward Baker and Enns, and the three collectively cover much of the core independent-consulting skill set. [If you aren't reading Jonathan Stark's stuff regularly, you really should. He understands positioning and pricing exceedingly well. My podcast co-host, Blair Enns, is also in that category, but some… | David C. Baker | 19 comments](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dcb_if-you-arent-reading-jonathan-starks-stuff-activity-7223725041014767618-x-C8?utm_source=chatgpt.com) And I'd **listen to 2Bobs** (Baker + Enns) alongside Stark's newsletter. It has been running since 2017 and is still publishing in 2026. [2Bobs - with David C. Baker and Blair Enns - Podcast - Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2bobs-with-david-c-baker-and-blair-enns/id1219490591?utm_source=chatgpt.com) If you tell me **what kind of consulting you want to do (e.g. software/AI, strategy, marketing, finance, operations, HR, etc.) and whether you're starting from zero or already have clients**, I can give you a much more targeted **10-person “follow list” + what to read/watch from each person first**.

**To learn about independent consulting, follow leading strategy thinkers and practitioners like Roger Martin, Rita McGrath, Alex Osterwalder, and Herminia Ibarra - they consistently share practical insights on consulting, innovation, and leadership.** ### 🌟 Key Thought Leaders in Consulting Here are some of the most influential voices shaping independent and management consulting today: Expert| Focus Area| Why Follow Them ---|---|--- **Roger Martin**| Competitive strategy, decision-making| Former Dean of Rotman School; prolific writer with deep insights on practical strategy [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026)[25 Management Consulting Leaders Influencing 2026](https://www.rslonline.com/25-management-consulting-leaders-influencing/) **Rita McGrath**| Innovation, temporary competitive advantage| Known for her work on how advantages erode quickly; teaches adaptive consulting approaches [25 Management Consulting Leaders Influencing 2026](https://www.rslonline.com/25-management-consulting-leaders-influencing/)[Thinkers50 Ranking | Top Management Thinkers](https://thinkers50.com/t50-ranking/) **Alex Osterwalder**| Business model innovation| Creator of the Business Model Canvas, widely used by consultants and entrepreneurs [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026) **Herminia Ibarra**| Leadership and career transitions| Offers frameworks for consultants navigating identity shifts and leadership roles [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026) **Richard Rumelt**| Strategy clarity| Author of _Good Strategy/Bad Strategy_, emphasizes practical execution [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026) **Steve Blank**| Lean startup, entrepreneurship| His customer discovery methods are widely applied in consulting for innovation [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026) **Gary Hamel**| Management innovation| Advocates for reinventing organizations and consulting approaches [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026) **Amy Webb**| Futurism, emerging tech| Helps consultants anticipate technological disruption [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026)[Thinkers50 Ranking | Top Management Thinkers](https://thinkers50.com/t50-ranking/) **Dave Snowden**| Complexity & systems thinking| Creator of the Cynefin framework, useful for consultants tackling uncertainty [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026) ### 📌 Why These Voices Matter * **Independent consultants thrive by applying judgment and execution skills** - not just delivering reports. These experts emphasize adaptability, innovation, and relationship-building, which are critical for solo practitioners. * Many of them **publish regularly on LinkedIn, Substack, or through books and talks**, making their insights accessible for ongoing learning. * Following them helps you **stay ahead of industry shifts**, especially as AI reshapes consulting by automating analysis but leaving human judgment indispensable. [25 Management Consulting Leaders in 2026 | The Industry Leaders](https://www.theindustryleaders.org/top-25-management-consulting-2026)[25 Management Consulting Leaders Influencing 2026](https://www.rslonline.com/25-management-consulting-leaders-influencing/) ### ⚠️ Risks & Challenges in Following Thought Leaders * **Information overload**: Many consultants publish prolifically; curate your feed to avoid distraction. * **Theory vs. practice gap**: Some thinkers lean academic; balance their insights with practical case studies. * **Trendy frameworks**: Not all new ideas endure; test them before applying to client work. 👉 If you’re starting out, I’d recommend beginning with **Roger Martin for strategy clarity, Rita McGrath for innovation, and Alex Osterwalder for business models**. Then expand to Herminia Ibarra and Dave Snowden for leadership and complexity. Would you like me to suggest **specific LinkedIn accounts, newsletters, or podcasts** where these consultants share their insights? That way you can follow them directly without having to track each one individually.

To learn the ins and outs of independent consulting - from transitioning out of the corporate world to scaling a solo practice and nailing value-based pricing - several specialized coaches, newsletters, and creators stand out: * **Melisa Liberman** (_Grow Your Independent Consulting Business Podcast_ & Coach): One of the most practical voices for solo consultants. She focuses heavily on turning unpredictable consulting practices into scalable businesses, fixing your pipeline, and transitioning your mindset away from corporate thinking. [Connect with experts | Small business consultants and coaches](https://www.onepagecrm.com/partner-program/experts/#:~:text=Solo%20consultants%20work%20with%20business%20coach%20Melisa,hosts%20Grow%20Your%20Independent%20Consulting%20Business%20podcast.) * **Consulting Success (Michael & Sam Zipursky)**: A premier resource for independent consultants. They offer comprehensive guides, podcasts, and frameworks specifically built around scaling a boutique or solo consulting firm, getting high-paying clients, and productizing your expertise. * **Richard Millington** (_Indispensable Consulting Newsletter_): Excellent for tactical, data-driven advice on building an independent consultancy from scratch, particularly if you want deep dives into operational growth strategies. [Top 10 consulting newsletters for inspiration | Flodesk Tips](https://flodesk.com/tips/consulting-newsletters#:~:text=Indispensable%20Consulting%20is%20a%20newsletter%20that%20offers,looking%20to%20excel%20in%20the%20consulting%20industry.) * **Mylance (Community & Resources)**: Founded specifically to support independent consultants and fractional executives. Their content, platform data, and tool breakdowns are great for understanding the modern landscape of solo professional services, legal setups, and lead generation. * **David C. Baker** (Author of _The Business of Expertise_): While his primary focus is creative and digital agencies, his frameworks on positioning, pricing models (moving away from hourly rates), and client management are foundational reading for high-end independent advisors. Are you looking to transition out of a traditional corporate role soon, or are you already flying solo and trying to figure out how to scale or price your services?

To learn about independent consulting, you should follow **_Melisa Liberman_** (Growth and Business Development Coach for Independent Consultants), **Michael and _Sam Zipursky_** (founders of [Consulting Success](https://www.consultingsuccess.com/independent-consultant)), and **_Dorie Clark_** (Executive Coach and Author of _Entrepreneurial You_ / _The Long Game_). [Grow Your Independent Consulting Business - Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Um2k91pqRjxi3JZ6ZSNEB)[7 Signs You Should Become An Independent Consultant](https://www.consultingsuccess.com/independent-consultant)[Top LinkedIn Content on Independent Consulting Services](https://www.linkedin.com/top-content/consulting/independent-consulting-services/) The following key creators, platforms, and resources provide actionable frameworks for launching, pricing, and scaling an independent advisory business. Top Experts & Voices to Follow * * ** _Melisa Liberman_ :** Host of the _Grow Your Independent Consulting Business_ podcast, she focuses heavily on transitioning from corporate habits, business development math, and creating predictable client pipelines. [Spotify - Web Player: Music for everyone] * **Michael & Sam Zipursky:** Through [Consulting Success](https://www.consultingsuccess.com/), they publish tactical guides, real-world case studies, and templates on packaging expertise, cold outreach, and scaling past solo-congested revenue ceilings. * ** _Dorie Clark_ :** A recognized marketing strategist and professional speaker whose work centers on personal branding, monetization strategies, and turning specialized expertise into recognized authority. [LinkedIn] * **David A. Fields :** Author of _The Irresistible Consultant's Guide to Winning Clients_ , known for breaking down complex B2B sales cycles and value-based fee structures specifically for consultants. * Essential Communities & Resources * * **Consulting Success Blog & Podcast:** Offers a comprehensive repository of pricing benchmarks, proposal examples, and interviews with successful solo consultants. * **The Independent Consultant Subreddit (`r/consulting`):** A community forum where self-employed consultants debate day-to-day operations, corporate spin-offs, legal structures, and rate negotiations. * **Stanford Graduate School of Business Insights:** Periodically publishes frameworks addressing administrative constraints, strategic pricing, and whether your risk profile matches a solo trajectory. [Are there any self-employed consultants, if so, how did you start?](https://www.reddit.com/r/consulting/comments/12lonmb/are_there_any_selfemployed_consultants_if_so_how/)[Should You Become an Independent Consultant? | Stanford Graduate School of Business](https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/should-you-become-independent-consultant) * If you want to narrow this down, let me know: * * Your **target consulting niche** (e.g., HR, tech, management, marketing) * Whether you are **just starting out** or **looking to scale an existing practice** * I can tailor specific recommendations or point you toward exact books and frameworks.