Get more of the consulting clients you love and get paid more for
your work.
So you can run a more profitable consulting business. Welcome to The Smart Gets Paid Academy.
This is the next level of your consulting business.
At this point, you’re out of “startup mode” – you know your business can work. Now it’s about building the business you envisioned: doing more of the work you love and getting paid handsomely for it, so your business supports your life, not the other way around.
You’ve gotten this far through word of mouth and referrals. You probably haven’t done much marketing because, frankly, you didn’t need to. But we both know word of mouth won’t last forever.
You know you should be doing something to get the right clients, but you’re not sure what. And who could blame you? You’ve never been a salesperson.
You know there’s so much potential out there. You’ve gotten this far without a strategy… imagine what would happen if you had one?
You’re not asking for the impossible. You just want to work with clients who see your value and can pay you what you want. You don’t want to have to convince anyone.
So you can make the money you want without working all the time, you can smooth out the revenue ups and downs, and you can invest in the things that matter to your business and your life.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You just want to know what to do; that also feels comfortable and lets you be yourself. But you don’t want to sound desperate or pushy, and you don’t want to waste time trying to figure it out yourself.
That’s why I created The Smart Gets Paid Academy:
So you can learn how to get the clients you want, not just the ones you can get.
So you can get paid for your value, not your time.
So you can create a business that’s profitable and fulfilling.
That’s what you’ll be able to do in The Academy.
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
When you’re ready to get out of your head and start taking action
If you’re like the women I work with (and like me too), you’ve already spent a lot of time thinking about this. Maybe you’ve listened to the podcast, or asked the one business owner friend you feel comfortable asking, or crowdsourced the answer in a Facebook group.
The problem is, you can spend so much time in your own head, thinking about it, that eventually you get sick of thinking about it. You get sick of trying to figure it out yourself.
So when you’re ready to get out of your head and just plug into a system that works, that’s what The Academy is for. We’re ready for you.
You’ll learn proven marketing and sales strategies to:
- DIAL IN YOUR POSITIONING: Position your work around value and stand out from others in your industry
- COMMUNICATE YOUR VALUE: Communicate your value clearly so clients see your value instantly
- GET MORE LEADS: Build a full client pipeline, so you’re never scrambling for work
- GET MORE REFERRALS: Proactively get referrals from inside and outside your network
- GET PAID MORE: Craft value-based pricing that gets you paid more, without adding scope, hours, or deliverables
- GO FROM HOURLY TO VALUE-BASED PRICING: Get off the time-for-money cycle and start getting predictable revenue
- BUILD AUTHORITY ON LINKEDIN: Show up, be seen as an expert, and get your ideal clients coming to you
- LEAD A SALES PROCESS: Comfortably and confidently lead a B2B sales process and reduce ghosting
- HAVE MORE COMFORTABLE SALES CONVERSATIONS: Have great conversations that build the relationship and move the process forward, without giving away free advice
- WRITE PROPOSALS FASTER: Write proposals faster using a winning proposal formula
- GET MORE YESSES: Get more proposals signed, without pushback
- BE TREATED LIKE AN EXPERT, NOT AN EMPLOYEE: Build incredible relationships with clients who treat you like an expert, not an employee
- OFFLOAD SELLING TO TEAM MEMBERS: Loop in team members on time-consuming tasks so you can take major parts of the sales process off your plate
- BALANCE PRIORITIES: Balance doing business development, even when you’re busy with client work
- BUILD AUTHENTIC CONFIDENCE: Feel as comfortable in “the sales part” as you do in your client work
- SET BETTER BOUNDARIES: Set and reinforce better boundaries with clients
- HAVE MORE FREE TIME: Make more money with fewer clients so that you have more free time
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
How it works: Customized learning and high-touch coaching
If traditional coaching is public school, The Academy is Montessori.
Traditional coaching programs fall into three buckets: a course you have to figure out by yourself, a community that’s packed to the gills with students, or a library of videos you have to stitch together to form a strategy. Everyone is shuffled through, and after the payment hits, you’re on your own.
The Academy system is built around a proven success path that’s individualized to your business, your clients, and the way your clients buy. It’s a high-touch environment where you and your team get the support you need to overcome roadblocks, build confidence, and get results.
Here’s how we do it
A roadmap individualized to your business and clients, so you’re always doing the right work for you
The curriculum is customized, not cookie cutter. You’ll start by meeting with Leah to create a customized roadmap to you, your business, and your clients, so you’re putting in place the strategies that will make the biggest business impact, the fastest.
Every tool, template, guide, and framework you need, so you make progress faster
Every strategy we teach comes with a complete set of templates, tools, and guides so you don’t have to make anything up from scratch, and you can implement it faster.
High-touch coaching, so you know get it right the first time and overcome roadblocks
Our team stays closely connected you and your progress, so you have a partner to help you along. Through WRAPAROUND COACHING(TM) there’s always a coaching option that fits where you are: office hours, real-time sales coaching, topic-based coaching sessions, peer advice, live feedback and 1:1 coaching when you need it.
Real-time sales coaching to help you sign the clients you’re talking to
Whether you’re talking to a new client or selling in additional work to a current client, get expert help for every step of the sales process, in real time, so you know you’re making the right next move, and you can get them signed.
Live feedback so you can refine, course-correct, and build confidence
Get rapid, actionable feedback on the things you’re working on, at any time. Bring your emails, proposals, messaging, and more to the Feedback Forum and get feedback so you can fix, refine, get right, and get it out the door.
Accountability, so you stay consistent and keep moving forward
Set weekly and monthly goals, and let Academy coaches and members give you the resources you need to reach them, and cheer you on.
Your team members are welcome, so you don’t have to do it all yourself
Whether you have a VA or a whole team, anyone who you want to have access to the trainings, live coaching calls, or our community gets full access at no additional charge. This way it’s not all on you to implement, which will make you more successful.
An incredible community of your peers, so you’re never alone
Business owner isolation can make you feel alone and drive imposter syndrome. When you join our incredible community of women running consulting businesses, you feel less alone, more inspired, and more motivated.
Here, you don’t have to make
all the decisions
You’re making hundreds of decisions each day; everything from “What should I say in this email?” to “Is this up to the level my client expects?” to “What should I make for dinner?”
It’s exhausting. And that decision fatigue kills consistency.
So here, in this part of your business, you don’t have to make all the decisions. You get sales coaching in real-time, so we guide you on exactly what to do, and you don’t have to decide on your own.
So you can take a breather and let an expert help you.
So whether it’s, “What do I do in this sales situation?” or “Does this pricing sound crazy?” to “Can someone read this email before I send it?” that’s what we’re here for.
Will I really get to work with Leah?
Yes! When you’re a member of this program, you’ll see a lot of me in coaching calls, leading live trainings, and the Slack community. Of course, my team members are there to support you in their specific areas of expertise, like using LinkedIn or setting up your tech operations.
Unfortunately, I know it’s common to sign up for a program, only to find out once you’re inside that the actual leader is no longer directly involved and leaves all the coaching to her team. That’s not the case here.
Here’s what you’re not going to do
Our selling methodology doesn’t involve any of the following:
- No cold calling, cold emailing, or cold LinkedIn messaging
- No pitching
- No pushy sales tactics
- No automated “sales funnels” or tactics that only work for B2C
- No B2C social media. No Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or Tik Tok.
- No spending money on ads
- No spending money on technology
- No changing your services, creating packages, or creating an online program
- No charging hourly
What are you going to do? Attract the clients who truly value your work, build strong client relationships, and get you paid more, using a methodology that feels organic and comfortable. Apply below and learn how.
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
What would higher-paying clients mean for you?
Enter the number of clients you’d like in the next few months, and the amount you’d like to be paid for each one.
Then see what’s possible for you.
How would higher-paying clients change your business? Your life?
Est. ROI
$62,500
Wondering if it’s for you?
The Academy is for you if …
- You work with your clients through direct consulting or service work
- Your clients are businesses (small businesses, mid-size, or large companies)
- You’ve already worked with some clients, and you want to start working with the clients you enjoy
- You’re smart, intellectually curious, and ambitious. You’re not afraid of doing the work, you just want to make sure it’s the right work
- You want to hang out with other smart, ambitious women who are running real businesses
- You’re already successful and want to achieve better balance and increase your income and time off
If you’re smart, ambitious, eager to learn, and want to grow your business, we’d love to work with you.
Unfortunately, The Academy is not a fit for your business if:
- You work with your clients via a course, online program, group program, or physical or digital products
- Your clients are individuals (i.e health coaches, resumé writers, etc.)
- You’re just getting started, or you haven’t sold anything yet
- You are looking for an automated sales funnel or get rich quick scheme
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
This is the community of your peers
You won’t find #bossbabes or #girlbosses here. This is a group of smart, driven women, running real businesses in:
- Marketing consulting, marketing strategy, digital marketing, creative services
- Branding consulting, brand strategy
- PR consulting
- Leadership consulting, executive coaching
- Management consulting, organizational development consulting
- HR consulting, diversity & inclusion consulting, workforce consulting
- Sustainability consulting
- And many more …
“This community is amazing. All of the women here are really, truly, amazing. They’re supportive, kind, and generous with their knowledge.”
Mariela C, web designer
“I feel like I have co-workers again!”
Sarah S, leadership consultant
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
How to get in
Joining The Academy starts with an application so we can learn about your business. That’s because we only accept people into The Academy who we know we can help. There’s no obligation to purchase when you apply.
To apply, enter your email address below and we’ll ask a few questions about your business. You’ll be invited to schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if we’re a good fit.
This call is all about you – there’s nothing you have to do or buy, and if we can’t help you, we’ll let you know right there on the call.
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
It’s not just about money. It’s about achieving what you’re capable of.
“This has made me feel like a real business owner. It’s the combination of these tools and resources that has given me the confidence to say, “Ok, I can really do this.”
Maya B, corporate wellness consultant
“I would say the biggest thing that I’ve taken away that you can’t really put a price on, is my confidence in my ability to sell in a way that feels very authentic to me.”
Amanda G, leadership consultant
“This course has brought me so much clarity. Since I know what to do, I don’t second-guess myself or have all of that self-doubt. So without all that space taken up by trying to “figure things out,” not only do I have much more mental space to create, I also feel more at peace.”
Valentina F, startup consultant
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
When is the right time to join
The Academy?
When your clients are businesses, you fix the roof when the sun is shining.
(AKA: join it before you need it.)
The sales methodology we teach works because it reflects how clients make purchase decisions.
The typical purchase process for business clients takes anywhere from 3-18 months. So the time to learn how to get higher-paying consulting clients is before you need clients.
If you needed clients yesterday, I can teach you how to start conversations quickly, but you’re still at least 3-18 months from getting a signed contract.
So if you think you’ll want higher-paying clients in 3 months, 6 months… even if you think you’ll want clients in 18 months, and you never want to be in the position of “needing clients yesterday,” then we’d love to work with you.
You don’t have to have everything figured out (like your messaging, positioning, ideal client, or services). We’ll do that together.
So if you:
- Have enough money to sustain your business for the next 3-4 months but your income will go down after that.
- Would say your business is “doing OK,” but you want to be doing better.
- Feel like, after being self-employed, the last thing you want is to go back to corporate America.
Then it’s the right time to work with us. Fix the roof when the sun is shining.
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Academy just for women?
It’s for anyone who identifies as a woman or gender non-binary person.
I’m just starting my business. Is The Academy a good fit for me?
Yep! As long as you’re already working with clients and getting them results, the system you’ll learn in The Academy can work for you.
I’ve been running my business for a while. Is The Academy a good fit for me?
Yes! You’ve been doing this long enough to know that getting higher-paying clients isn’t as easy as you thought. You probably have the ingredients to make a very profitable business that gives you free time, we’ll give you the recipe and help you bake the cake.
I don’t have my messaging / positioning / ideal client / services all figured out yet. Do I have to figure it out before I join?
Nope! We’re going to work on your messaging, positioning, ideal client, and communicating the value of your services. You don’t have to have them figured out before you join the program where you’ll figure them out. 😀
Can my admin or team member join with me?
Yep! Anyone on your team that you want to have access to the portal, the Slack group, the coaching, and the events will get access at no additional cost.
I don’t want to build an agency or make an online course. Is this program going to force me to do that?
Nope! The Academy teaches you how to build a sustainable consulting business, in the way that you want, not in one one-size-fits-all way. You don’t have to build an agency, create a low-cost online course, or change your services in any way. rnrnIf you would like to build an agency, the system you’ll learn in The Academy will help you land the clients that will fund new hires and scale up.
Can I join if I believe Trump won the 2020 election?
No. Trump lost. Honestly though, if you believe that, you will hate what I have to say about a lot of other things.
I have another question that’s not addressed here.
No problem, just email us at team@smartgetspaid.com.
We’re currently accepting applications for our next coaching group. When you click the button above, you’ll answer a few questions about your business, then schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit for you.
Still have questions? Get in touch.
Drop me a line, a member of my team will get back to you
within one business day.
About Leah
Hi, I’m Leah Neaderthal. I help women land higher-paying consulting clients.
I remember when it was hard for me to land new clients too. I had built my career in corporate marketing, and as soon as I started my business, I realized that even though I had been a rock star in marketing, I didn’t actually know how to get clients.
And what’s worse, I was embarrassed that I couldn’t do it.
I realized that if I was going to succeed in running my own business, I had to learn how to land new clients.
But not the salesy way I had seen before. I wanted a way that felt right for me.
I decided to teach myself. Over the next four years, I read everything I could get my hands on about selling. 65 books, to be exact. I tried nearly every sales strategy and approach with my own clients.
Anything that felt salesy, I ditched. Anything that felt comfortable, I kept.
The approach I developed over four years now gives me a 92% win rate… and I’ve sold over $3MM in work. Now I teach others how to do it in a matter of weeks.
Here’s the thing: I’m not a salesperson.
I’ve never been in sales. I’m an entrepreneur and a total introvert who’d much rather be in the background doing the work. But I learned how to land new clients, and now it’s second nature to me.
That’s how I know you can do it too. All you need is to know what works and get guidance to help you put it into practice in your business.
Whenever you’re ready to start landing higher-paying clients in your business, I’m looking forward to working with you.
Ready to take the next step?
Answer a few questions about your business, then you’ll be invited to schedule a 15-minute call with a member of our team to see if The Academy is a good fit.
