How to unlock advisory revenue without rebranding
There’s a hidden line in many SMBs’ budgets labelled “advice.” It funds coaches, consultants, mastermind groups, and one-off experts. For smaller businesses, it often sits around a few thousand pounds per year. If you don’t connect what you do to that spend, someone else will. The solution isn’t a rebrand. It’s a reframe.
Why the advice budget leaks elsewhere
Perception gap: “My accountant keeps me out of trouble; other people help me grow.”
Packaging gap: External advisors sell named, outcome-based programs with cadence and commitment.
Presence gap: They show up frequently, ask forward-looking questions, and speak in business language.
You already have the competence and the data. What you need is a clear offer and a rhythm that owners recognise as advisory.
Reframe your meetings as growth conversations
Rename the meeting: “Annual Review” becomes “Growth Check-In.”
Change the promise: From “we’ll review your accounts” to “we’ll turn one trend into one growth decision.”
Set the rhythm: Monthly or quarterly beats ad hoc every time.
Owners buy momentum and clarity. Give them both.
Three low-friction offers you can ship this month
Monthly Pulse: 30 minutes, one graph, one action. Keeps attention on what actually moves the needle.
Quarterly Review: 60–90 minutes, trend analysis, simple benchmark, next-quarter priorities. Creates direction. Eg https://www.runagood.com/ai-business-advisor
Growth Lab: A focused workshop on a single lever (pricing uplift, debtor discipline, product mix). Drives tangible change.
Each is simple to prepare, simple to deliver, and easy to sell.
Start with clients most likely to say yes
Identify: Your top 10 by fees and relationship strength.
Invite: “I’ve spotted a way to bring cash forward by two weeks—15 minutes next Thursday?”
Hook: Come with one strong visual—debtor days trend, margin by product, or cash runway.
Make the first conversation about an immediate win. Then ask, “Shall we do this monthly/quarterly?”
Pricing with confidence (without drama)
Anchor to outcomes: “Recovering two weeks of cash equals £X in your bank—our monthly pulse is £Y.”
Keep it simple: Two tiers (Pulse and Review) are enough. AI Business Advisor® as an add-on.
Earn the right to grow: Start modest; raise fees as you produce results and build case stories.
You’re not competing with your compliance fee. You’re competing with the cost of problems left unsolved.
Objections you’ll hear—answers that work
“We’re too busy.” “That’s why we’ll focus on one decision per month. 30 minutes, in and out.”
“Isn’t this what we already do?” “Previously we reported the past; now we’ll shape the future—proactively.”
“How will we know it’s working?” “We’ll track two metrics we agree matter. No movement? We stop or adjust.”
Clarity reduces fear. Outcomes reduce friction.
Your first 30 days
Week 1: Pick the top 10 and create a one-line insight for each.
Week 2: Hold 5–6 mini calls; secure two Monthly Pulse pilots.
Week 3: Deliver the sessions; agree next dates and metrics.
Week 4: Summarise results and write one case note.
Repeat with the next 10. Advisory revenue grows in steps. Take the first one.
To get your own two-page pack (scripts, slides, pricing cues) you can use tomorrow with your best client. book a 15-minute call below.