I’m thrilled to hit the 100th episode of the Business Advisor Podcast! Starting this journey, I dreamed of inspiring advisors, accountants, and coaches to break free from the grind of compliance work and embrace their potential. I never imagined it would spark over 25,000 downloads across the UK, USA, Australia, and beyond in just 18 months. Your heartfelt DMs, reviews, and emails fuel my drive. For 20 months, I’ve shown up weekly—through sickness, burnout, and doubt—learning that consistency, not perfection, builds trust and authority. From Episode 4’s content marketing gems to Episode 28’s freedom practice blueprint and my six-part advisory conversation series, I’ve poured real-world insights into every episode. This podcast has sharpened my expertise and ignited my passion for turning complex ideas into actionable frameworks. Want to transform your advisory business? This episode is a must-listen to learn more on how consistency compounds and discover strategies to productize, price, and position your services for freedom. Join me for the next 100 episodes as we dive deeper into courage, clarity, and impact!

Key Takeaways

1. Consistency Over Motivation: Showing up weekly, even when unmotivated, drives impact.

“Consistency isn’t about feeling motivated every single week. It’s about showing up anyway, even when you don’t feel motivated.” - Amanda C. Watts

2. Repetition Builds Authority: Repeating core messages helps them resonate over time.

“Repetition isn’t boring; it’s essential.” - Amanda C. Watts

3. Authenticity Trumps Perfection: Imperfect but genuine content connects deeply with listeners.

 “Sometimes authenticity is more valuable than perfection.” - Amanda C. Watts

4. Value-Driven Content Converts: Focusing on value, not virality, attracts high-value clients.

“You don’t need to go viral. You just need to bring value.” - Amanda C. Watts

5. Commitment Sustains Impact: Finishing what you start, despite challenges, builds trust.

“Consistency isn’t just about showing up every week. It’s about finishing what you start.” - Amanda C. Watts

Upcoming Episode Preview: 

EP 101: The one where you are stuck doing the work.

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• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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Ever felt that selling a £2,000 service is an uphill battle? In this eye-opening episode, I dismantle the myth that lower prices mean easier sales. She reveals why selling a £20,000 advisory offer is not only more profitable but also psychologically easier for both you and your client.

I show you how premium pricing fundamentally shifts the dynamic from a transactional cost to a committed investment, attracting clients who respect your expertise and are ready for transformation. I also explain how charging what you're worth doesn't just change your clients; it changes you, compelling you to step up as a confident leader. Learn to escape the compliance hamster wheel by building an offer that solves major problems and positions you as the strategic partner you were meant to be. This is a must-listen for any advisor ready to stop undercharging and start building a more respectful and manageable business.

Key Takeaways

1. Low pricing attracts problematic, transactional clients.

"When you price low, you don't make it easier for the client. You actually make it harder for both of you." - Amanda C. Watts

2. Premium pricing commands commitment and builds stronger relationships.

"Someone investing £20,000 or dollars doesn't want to bargain. They're actually wanting a result. They have got skin in the game." - Amanda C. Watts

3. The price you set determines the leader you become.

"When you charge £20,000 or $20,000 a year, you actually start to lead... you speak with more confidence because you're finally being paid in alignment with your value." - Amanda C. Watts

4. High-value offers are about selling transformation, not time.

"If you price low, people treat you like a pair of hands. If you price high, they trust you to help them with the big decisions." - Amanda C. Watts

5. Confidence is a result of raising your prices, not a prerequisite for it.

"You don't raise your prices when you feel confident; you feel confident when you raise your prices. And people say, 'Yes.' That is the shift." - Amanda C. Watts

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• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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Does the thought of "selling" make you feel awkward, pushy, or fake? You're not alone. Many advisors love helping clients but dread the sales process. In this episode, I flip the script on selling, reframing it not as a necessary evil but as a powerful form of service.

I introduce the "SELL Method," a four-part framework designed to help you approach every client conversation with confidence and integrity. You'll learn why your discomfort is actually a sign of your integrity and how to turn it into a strength. Discover how to build unshakeable belief in your services, lead conversations with clarity, and make a decisive ask without feeling like a hard-nosed salesperson. I also feature the memorable "Lighthouse" analogy; this episode provides the mindset shift and practical steps you need to stop hiding your value and finally become the trusted guide your clients are searching for.

Key Takeaways:

1.      Reframe Selling as an Act of Service: Your primary goal isn't to win a deal but to genuinely help the person in front of you. 

"When you show up to help instead of to win, people really feel it. And energy in everything changes." – Amanda C. Watts

2.      Build Confidence from Evidence, Not Hype: Systematically collect proof of your impact to anchor your belief in the value you provide.

"People buy your certainty before they buy your solution. And if you don't believe in how great you are, why would anybody else?" – Amanda C. Watts

3.      Lead the Conversation with Clarity: Clients are often overwhelmed. They don't need another option; they need a clear path. Your role is to listen, diagnose, and confidently recommend a plan.

"In the absence of guidance, people default to what they know, which usually means nothing or picking the cheapest option." – Amanda C. Watts

4.      Failing to Ask is a Disservice: If you genuinely believe you can help someone, it's your professional duty to make a clear and direct offer. 

"You are not here to make friends; you are here to make change. So you close the deal, not by being pushy, but by being decisive." – Amanda C. Watts

5.      Withholding Your Help is Neglect: The most significant shift is realising that hiding your valuable services to avoid discomfort is ultimately selfish. 

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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I’m here to save you months of frustration and guesswork when launching your advisory offer. I've seen too many brilliant advisors create services that nobody buys, or worse, that lead to complete burnout. I know this pain firsthand—my first offer had me driving three hours each way for a client and earning next to nothing. It was messy and unsustainable, and I was miserable.

That experience forced me to develop a system, my 7-step Launch Ready Method, that I'm sharing with you today on this episode of the Business Advisor Podcast. This isn't about selling fluff or just "building a funnel". It's the essential groundwork for creating a profitable, scalable advisory service that clients are genuinely eager to buy. I’ll walk you through everything from validating the real problem to marketing with purpose, so you can build a “Freedom Practice” that serves you, not a “Monster Business” that drains you. Let’s build something that truly works.

Key Takeaways

1. Start with the Client's Pain, Not Your Product.

"Great advisory offers aren't built in your head. They're built in response to what your clients actually want and what others aren't giving them." - Amanda C. Watts

2. Package Transformation, Not Time: Clients don't purchase hours, tasks, or a list of deliverables; they invest in a clear and desirable outcome. 

"People don't buy time; they buy results. They buy momentum, they buy clarity and progress, and they buy transformation." - Amanda C. Watts

3. Price on Impact, Not Effort: Your fee should be a reflection of the value and transformation you create, not the hours you work. 

"Your clients... don't want to buy hours. They want to buy the result, the return, and the relief that they get from actually working with you." - Amanda C. Watts

4. Intentionally Design Your Business Model for Freedom.

"If you don't stop to think about your business structure, the monster business builds itself." - Amanda C. Watts

5.  Never launch a new offer to the public without first testing it in a controlled environment. 

"The goal here is not for you to be perfect. It's about feedback, its proof, and its confidence in what works and clarity on what doesn't." - Amanda C. Watts

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• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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Speak to you in the next episode...

Have you ever quoted a price and instantly regretted it? I know that feeling—the knot in your stomach when you know your services are life-changing, but you lower the fee just to get the “yes”. It’s a cycle that traps so many of us in an overworked, underpaid, and unfulfilling business.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why this happens and how to fix it for good. It's not about being greedy; it's about being smart and pricing with purpose. I’ll introduce you to my simple but powerful framework, the Value Triangle, which aligns your self-belief, the results you deliver, and how clients perceive you. This is the key to confidently charging what you're truly worth and finally building a business that gives you the freedom, energy, and income you deserve. It’s time to stop guessing and start earning.

Key Takeaways:

1. If an advisor doesn't fundamentally believe in their own value, no pricing strategy will work, as they will always find a way to discount or undercharge.

"Your pricing will never rise higher than your self-worth." - Amanda C. Watts

2. Clients Invest in Outcomes, Not Effort.
"They actually care about what is going to be different after they work with you. They care about the transformation." - Amanda C. Watts

3. How an advisor is branded and positioned can be more influential on their fee than the service itself. 

"The work might be the same that you're doing, but that perceived value – that is where the profit lives." - Amanda C. Watts

4. Premium clients are looking for a confident expert to solve their problems, and an unusually low fee signals a lack of confidence and value.

"When your prices are too low, high-value clients don't take you seriously. They actually want results, and they want to feel confident when they make a buying decision." - Amanda C. Watts

5. Productising Your Service Creates Clarity and Confidence.
"When you productise your value, you stop guessing, and you start building a business around what actually works." - Amanda C. Watts

Preview for Next Week!

Get ready for Episode 97: 7 Steps to Creating & Launching Your Advisory Offer

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• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In this episode, I’m tackling a topic I'm incredibly passionate about: why short-form content platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Reels are a trap for serious business advisors. I know it might sound controversial, but I believe these platforms, which are built for distraction and escapism, are the wrong place to build the deep trust required to attract premium clients.

When you pour your valuable insights into 60-second videos or catchy carousels, you're whispering in a hurricane. You're showing up where your ideal clients go to switch off, not to make critical business decisions. Instead of chasing fleeting visibility and "fire emoji" engagement, I want to show you a better way. I share the power of the "Netflix Effect"—creating long-form, binge-worthy content that allows potential clients to connect with your expertise on a deeper level. I share real-life stories, from my own experience buying a treadmill to clients who followed my work for years before hiring me, to prove that authority and trust are built through depth, not just frequency. My goal is to help you shift your strategy from being just another face in the scroll to becoming a respected authority whose future clients are pre-sold on your value before they even book a call.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

1. Short-form content creates a false sense of productivity without delivering real clients.
"I can guarantee these things are not bringing you leads, sales, or real results from business advisory clients." - Amanda C. Watts

2. The context of a platform is more important than the content itself.
"Even the most brilliant insight is going to fall flat if it's delivered at the wrong time in the wrong place or to the wrong mindset." - Amanda C. Watts

3. Meaningful trust cannot be built in 60-second increments.
" Trust doesn't come in 60 seconds or less. It comes when people feel like they are truly understood." - Amanda C. Watts

4. Advisors should leverage "binge-worthy" long-form content to build deep connections.
"Just like watching six episodes of a series makes you feel emotionally connected to the characters, long-form content helps people feel emotionally connected to you." - Amanda C. Watts

5. The primary marketing goal for an advisor should be authority, not visibility.
"authority comes from showing your thinking, not just your face." - Amanda C. Watts

Preview for Next Week!

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Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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In this episode, I tackle one of the most requested topics from our community: how to create content that cuts through the noise and builds trust with premium advisory clients.

I reveal why most advisors are stuck in a cycle of inconsistent posting and ineffective marketing—and how to break free. I’ll walk you through a clear, actionable strategy for creating content that doesn’t just get seen, but actually converts leads into high-value clients.

Whether you're struggling with what to say or frustrated that your content isn’t bringing in the right people, this episode gives you the tools to build a powerful content system that works for you, even on repeat.

🧠 Key Takeaways

1. Focus your content on solving your client's real problems at every stage of their journey, not on showcasing your own expertise.

“Content has to speak to real problems. It has to show that you understand what your clients are going through.” -Amanda C. Watts

2. Use your content as a pre-sale system to build trust and prove your value long before you ever ask for the sale.

“Great content isn't a one-hit wonder. It's a drumbeat of trust.” -Amanda C. Watts

3. Avoid common mistakes like using industry jargon or over-relying on AI, as authentic content is what builds true authority.

“Authority isn't loud. It is earned.” -Amanda C. Watts

4. Follow a proven formula (Problem, Perspective, Proof, Practice, Presence) to create magnetic content that connects and converts.

“The more you ground your content in experience, the more magnetic you become.” -Amanda C. Watts

5. Overcome your fear of video by shifting your focus from performance to genuinely serving your audience with helpful answers.

“If you focus on helping someone else, it gets easier.” -Amanda C. Watts

Preview for Next Week!

Get ready for Episode 95: “Instagram Is Where Good Businesses Go to Die.”

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Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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Speak to you in the next episode...

In this insightful episode of The Business Advisor Podcast, I dive deep into the often-avoided topic of client conflict—an issue every advisor faces but few discuss openly. I share personal experiences, expert insights, and a powerful framework called "GRACE" to help you navigate emotionally charged situations with empathy, curiosity, and professionalism.

I walk through a real-world example where a client stopped returning my calls after receiving tough feedback about letting go of an underperforming team member. Using the GRACE framework, I demonstrate how to reopen communication with empathy, curiosity, and collaboration.

Conflict isn’t a sign of failure; it’s an opportunity for deeper connection and growth. Whether you're dealing with silent clients, defensive reactions, or stalled progress, this episode will equip you with the tools to turn discomfort into trust.

Key Takeaways

1. Client conflict is an emotional signal, not a personal attack.

“When your client becomes defensive or avoids your calls, they aren’t deliberately being difficult. Their brain is responding to stress or discomfort.” – Amanda C. Watts

1. Handled with care, conflict can deepen trust and lead to breakthroughs.

“Conflict and resistance can deepen trust, strengthen relationships, and enable powerful breakthroughs for both you and your clients.” – Amanda C. Watts

1. Naming emotions helps clients feel seen and understood.

“By naming these emotions, you help your client feel seen and understood. This builds trust and encourages them to open up.” – Amanda C. Watts

1. Pushing harder increases defensiveness; slowing down creates space for progress.

“The worst thing you can do is push harder, because this only heightens the client's defensive instinct.” – Amanda C. Watts

1. Separate your self-worth from client resistance.

“It’s easy to take client resistance personally and feel rejected and frustrated. You have to remind yourself: this isn’t about you. It’s about them and their inner struggle.” – Amanda C. Watts

Preview for Next Week!

Get ready for Episode 94: “Creating Content That Stands Out and Gets Clients.” This is a highly requested topic from the community, and I can't wait to share it with you.

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Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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This week's episode is all about moving beyond just knowing your stuff as an advisor and truly mastering the art of communication. I shared why saying the right thing isn’t enough—it’s about how, when, and with what intention you say it. I introduced my VOICE Framework, a five-part structure that helps advisors communicate in a way that creates safety, clarity, and action.

We explored how emotional intelligence trumps expertise when it comes to being heard and trusted. The brain doesn’t just process information—it scans for emotional safety first. That’s why purposeful communication matters so much. Whether you're delivering tough feedback or guiding a client through change, how your message feels determines whether it lands.

I walked through each step of the VOICE model: Validate, Own, Identify, Communicate, and Engage. And I shared practical tools like grounding check-ins, role resets, the one-thing filter, and the truth sandwich to help you apply these ideas immediately.

Key Takeaways

1.      Advisors must validate the client's emotional state before offering insight to build trust and connection.

"Before you say anything, stop and tune in—what’s going on for them right now?" – Amanda C. Watts

2.      Owning your role in each session ensures clarity, consistency, and confidence in your communication.

"Your job isn't to wear every hat—it's to know which one serves them best today." – Amanda C. Watts

3.      Identifying the single most useful point prevents overwhelm and drives meaningful action.

"Just because it’s true doesn’t mean it’s helpful right now." – Amanda C. Watts

4.      Truth must be delivered with care and confidence to ensure it is received and acted upon.

"Confidence doesn’t need to shout. It just needs to be anchored in intention." – Amanda C. Watts

5.       Engaging in the moment allows advisors to observe reactions and adapt communication for deeper impact.

"Communication is a loop, not a monologue. Pay attention to what happens after you speak." – Amanda C. Watts

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Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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This week’s episode is all about how less talking and more listening can transform you into a powerful, sought-after advisor. I shared how impactful advisory isn’t about dazzling clients with insights—it’s about creating space for them to hear themselves think.

I reflected on my work with advisors who believed their value came from being the smartest in the room. But the truth is, real connection comes from deep listening, not non-stop advice.

When advisors shift from expert mode to guide mode, they create safety, trust, and momentum. I shared James’ story—how he went from burnt-out expert to trusted guide simply by making space for his clients to speak.

I walked through how to become a better listener: choosing presence over performance, managing internal interference, using subtle signals to show engagement, and honouring silence as sacred space.

Listening is not passive—it’s leadership. And when you master it, your clients don’t just listen to you. They open up, lean in, and take action.

Key Takeaways:

1. Your value as an advisor comes from how well you hold space, not how much you say.

“Your value isn't how much you say; it's how well you hold the space.” – Amanda C. Watts

2. Listening is not passive—it’s a form of leadership that builds deep connection.

“Clients don’t need more noise and more to-do lists. They need someone who will really see them.” – Amanda C. Watts

3. Internal distractions during conversations prevent true connection with your client.

“Whilst your client is talking, if your attention is even slightly elsewhere, they will feel it.” – Amanda C. Watts

4. Small, intentional signals of listening create trust and open doors to deeper insight.

“It's about the subtle signals, the micro moments that tell your client, ‘I'm here; I'm with you.” – Amanda C. Watts

5. Silence is where breakthroughs happen, so resist the urge to fill every pause.

“Silence is where the gold lives… Some of the most powerful moments came after a long, quiet pause.” – Amanda C. Watts

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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Speak to you in the next episode...

Welcome back to the Business Advisor podcast— this week we’re diving into a game-changer for advisors: understanding client behaviour through the lens of the six human needs. This is part four of our soft skills series, and it’s all about going beneath the surface to uncover what really drives your clients.

I share how recognising these core needs—certainty, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution—can transform the way you lead conversations and build trust.  I walk through each need, explain how they shape behaviour, and offer practical questions you can use to uncover them in your conversations.

You’ll learn how to spot signs that a client’s needs are unmet and how to adjust your approach to support them more effectively. It’s not about meeting every need perfectly—it’s about awareness and emotional intelligence. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding the six human needs allows advisors to see beyond surface-level behaviour and connect with what truly motivates clients.

 “When you understand what truly drives people beneath the surface, you can work with their real motivations, not just the goals that they say out loud.” – Amanda C. Watts

2. Clients resist change when their core needs aren’t met—not because they’re difficult, but because they feel unsafe or misunderstood.

“If a client has a very high need for certainty, they might resist new ideas simply because they feel unsafe, not because they're actually being difficult.” – Amanda C. Watts

3. Asking targeted questions helps uncover which needs are most important to each client.

“For significance, you could say, "What kind of impact do you want to be known for?’ These questions help uncover their deeper drivers.” – Amanda C. Watts

4. Recognising unmet needs early prevents breakdowns in communication and strengthens trust.

 “What shapes their behaviour, their decisions and even their resistance… You can step back and ask, which need isn't being met right now?” – Amanda C. Watts

5. Advisors don’t have to meet every need perfectly—but awareness allows them to guide clients more thoughtfully and effectively.

“Your role as an advisor isn't to meet every need perfectly… but being aware of what is happening underneath the surface, you can guide conversations more thoughtfully.” – Amanda C. Watts

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• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

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On this week episode, I explored one of the most essential soft skills for advisors – building real rapport with clients. Rapport isn’t about impressing someone or pushing them forward; it’s about walking beside them, understanding their world, and supporting them at their pace. When you build that trust, conversations flow more naturally, decisions become clearer, and results happen faster.

I shared how easy it is to accidentally break rapport, especially when we fall into the trap of unconscious competence – assuming clients should understand things as quickly as we do. But true advisory work means stepping into their perspective, listening deeply, and reflecting back what they’re truly saying.

I also shared a personal story about my daughter to illustrate how different perspectives can shift an entire environment – and why fighting those differences only breaks trust.

Finally, I offered practical tips to help advisors build stronger connections with their clients, because when you lead with rapport, transformation follows.

Key Takeaways:

1. Stepping into your client’s world builds trust faster than any polished pitch.  

"It's the difference between telling someone what they should see and actually stepping into their shoes to see it with them." – Amanda C. Watts 

2. Matching your client’s pace is where real connection happens.

"Don't rush to the finish line while they're still lacing up their shoes." – Amanda C. Watts 

3. Deep, respectful listening uncovers real challenges and creates meaningful breakthroughs.

"Don't just wait for your turn to speak. Truly listen to what they're telling you." – Amanda C. Watts 

4. Curiosity builds bridges, not walls, especially when a client’s perspective doesn’t make sense to you.

"Curiosity builds bridges, not walls." – Amanda C. Watts 

5. Reflecting back what you hear shows you’re paying attention and helps clients build confidence.

"Mirror back what you hear. It shows you're paying attention." – Amanda C. Watts 

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• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

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Welcome back to the Business Advisor Podcast. This week we’re kicking off a brand-new series: The Soft Skills of Advisory. This series is all about the skills that go beyond technical expertise—the ones that help you build trust, deepen relationships, and truly impact your clients' lives.

In this episode, I dive into one of the most foundational soft skills for advisors: knowing when to coach and when to mentor. These two approaches are often confused, but understanding the difference gives you the confidence to guide your clients more effectively.

Coaching is future-focused and non-directive and empowers clients to find their own solutions through thoughtful questioning. Mentoring, on the other hand, involves sharing your experience and offering guidance based on what’s worked before.

I also introduce a simple yet powerful tool called the GUIDE Framework, which helps you decide in the moment whether to coach or mentor. It stands for:

- G: Goal vs. Guidance

- U: Uncover vs. Understand

- I: Independence vs. Instruction

- D: Discovery vs. Direction

- EE: Elicit vs. Equip

This framework makes it easy to switch between coaching and mentoring fluidly and intentionally during advisory sessions.

Key Takeaways 

1. Coaching empowers clients to find their own answers.

“Your job when you're coaching is to guide those answers to the surface.” - Amanda C. Watts

2. Mentoring involves offering insights from your own experience.

“You're not delivering a lecture—you're offering guidance based on what’s worked before.” - Amanda C. Watts

3. Knowing when to coach versus mentor builds advisor confidence.

“By understanding the difference between mentoring and coaching, you gain the confidence to handle any situation with clarity.” - Amanda C. Watts

4. The GUIDE Framework helps advisors choose the right approach in real time.

“Run your conversation through GUIDE—it’ll help you make the right call in the moment.” - Amanda C. Watts

5. Great advisors flex between coaching and mentoring within the same session.

“A big part of being a great advisor is learning to switch gears consciously and confidently.” - Amanda C. Watts

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• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

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In this episode, we kick off a six-week series on the often-overlooked power of soft skills in the accounting and advisory world. This isn’t just fluff — it’s foundational to how you deliver value. As advisors, many of us have been trained to be technicians, but now it’s time to step into leadership, build trust, and create transformation for our clients. Without strong soft skills, your advice can fall flat, no matter how accurate it is. I introduce the CORE framework — Connection, Ownership, Relationship, and Elevation — to help you build these skills intentionally and confidently over the next few weeks.

Key Takeaways: 

1. Connection is essential before advice can be heard.

 “Real connection happens long before a client follows your advice. It happens when they feel seen.” – Amanda C. Watts

2. Encouraging ownership helps clients become confident decision-makers.

 “When you stop trying to give the right answers and instead start asking the right questions, something changes in your relationship with your clients.” – Amanda C. Watts

3. Strong relationships transform transactional interactions into meaningful partnerships.

 “Relationships are built through presence and a relationship with a person. They are about showing up with curiosity and not your ego.” – Amanda C. Watts

4. Elevation shifts clients’ mindset, helping them think bigger and act bolder.

“You elevate how they see themselves. You help them think bigger, dream again, and make bolder moves.” – Amanda C. Watts

5. Soft skills turn technical expertise into transformational impact.

 “Soft skills shift your work from informative to transformational.” – Amanda C. Watts

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• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

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This week's episode dives into how vanity metrics—likes, follows, and views—can mislead business owners into feeling successful while draining their energy and stalling growth. As someone who’s coached countless advisors, I’ve seen how chasing these empty metrics leads to burnout, not revenue. The truth? Real success isn’t about viral content; it’s about building trust with silent lurkers—the high-value clients who consume your content quietly before converting. 

In this episode, I share the WATCH method: a framework to track sanity metrics (calls booked, email replies, DM conversations) that actually move the needle. I’ll challenge you to stop measuring claps and start measuring credibility. My own journey mirrors this—my podcast and posts rarely go viral, but my calendar stays full of clients who’ve been “watching” for years. If you’re feeling stuck despite consistent posting, this episode is your reset. Focus on nurturing relationships over likes, and let your content plant seeds for long-term growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Vanity metrics (likes, shares, followers) don’t translate to revenue.

“Unless those numbers are turning into sales… You’re measuring noise, not results.” - Amanda C. Watts

2. Silent lurkers—not loud engagers—are often your ideal clients.

“The best clients… aren’t liking your content. They’re watching silently and deciding you’re the one for them.” - Amanda C. Watts

3. Track sanity metrics: calls booked, email replies, DM conversions.

“Focus on how many emails get replied to… Are you onboarding clients? These are sanity metrics.” - Amanda C. Watts

4. Use the WATCH method to identify and nurture quiet leads.

“Watch for signals: Who’s opening emails? Who viewed your LinkedIn profile three times this week?” - Amanda C. Watts

5. Your Content should build trust, not chase virality.

“Your job isn’t to go viral. It is to become invaluable—relationships do, built one quiet moment at a time.” - Amanda C. Watts

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• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

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In this week's episode of the Business Advisor Podcast, I dive deep into one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of building a thriving business—mindset. I share how transforming your thinking can lead to exponential growth in ways no strategy or tool ever could. Drawing from my own experiences and those of others, I explore how shifting attitudes and rewiring limiting beliefs can unlock untapped potential.

When it comes to levelling up your business, mindset is everything. It’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter by challenging self-doubt and reframing negative narratives. Neuroscience backs this up with the principle that "neurones that fire together, wire together." Every thought you repeat reinforces neural pathways, shaping who you are and what you believe is possible.

Ultimately, embracing a growth mindset empowers you to lead with confidence, create impactful client relationships, and redefine what success looks like on your terms. By choosing courage over comfort, curiosity over judgement, and action over avoidance, you can rewire your brain to see possibility instead of limitation. Remember: your mindset shapes your reality, and you have the power to change it.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mindset drives business success more than tools or strategies; shifting attitudes and challenging beliefs can unlock significant growth. - "Mindset shifts come from how I think, from the beliefs that I challenge." - Amanda C. Watts

2. Repeated negative thoughts reinforce limiting beliefs, but with effort, these patterns can be rewired for positive change. - "The more that you tell yourself that you can't do something, the more you're going to believe it." - Amanda C. Watts

3. Growth mindset involves actively reshaping beliefs through repetition, enabling new ways of thinking and being.  - "It is actually about actively rewiring your brain." - Amanda C. Watts

4. Environment plays a crucial role in shaping mindset; surrounding yourself with supportive people boosts confidence and progress. - "Your surroundings massively affect your mindset." - Amanda C. Watts

5. Building a supportive network fosters business growth by stretching what you believe is possible.  - "Being in a room...with others who are further along is so powerful." - Amanda C. Watts

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• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
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In this episode of the Business Advisor Podcast, I delve into the challenges of delegation faced by many accounting and bookkeeping business owners. As someone who has been there, I understand the struggle to let go while maintaining high standards. In this episode, I explore why it's so hard to delegate and provide actionable solutions to overcome these barriers. From the perfectionist trap to documentation deficiencies, knowledge transfer breakdowns, quality control woes, and systemising personalised services, I break down the five big barriers that keep us stuck doing all the work ourselves. I share practical strategies such as strategic process documentation, incremental responsibility transfer, structured quality assurance, and the 10-80-10 delegation model. By implementing these steps, you can build a business that thrives even when you're not at the helm.

Key Takeaways:

1. Perfectionism Trap: Many entrepreneurs believe no one can match their standards, which prevents them from delegating effectively. - "No one can do it like I can; clients expect me to do the work, and it won't be good enough unless I do it myself." – Amanda C. Watts

2. Documentation Deficiency: Without clear documentation, teams are left guessing, leading to errors and frustration. - "Your team are just guessing what to do because there's no map, and you don't have proper documentation for them to follow." – Amanda C. Watts

3. Incremental Responsibility Transfer: Delegation can start small, allowing both leaders and teams to build confidence gradually.  - "Delegation doesn't have to be all or nothing; you can start small and let your team dip their toe in before stepping back more as they prove themselves." – Amanda C. Watts

4. Structured Quality Assurance: Simple checkpoints ensure quality without micromanaging or leaving tasks to chance. - "Instead of micromanaging or crossing our fingers and hoping it will work, we need to set up simple checkpoints like a five-minute review or a final quality check before anything goes to a client." – Amanda C. Watts

5. 10-80-10 Delegation Model: This framework creates a logical feedback loop that makes delegation safe and effective. - "This model creates a feedback loop that actually works because you're going to save time, get better results, and empower your team to grow while relieving your fears about letting go." – Amanda C. Watts

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• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

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Welcome to another episode of the Business Advisor podcast! today we’re diving into the 14 biggest mistakes accountants make when transitioning from compliance work to business advisory. This shift can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also fraught with challenges. Many accountants struggle because they’re still thinking like a compliance firm, not as advisors. I’ve worked with hundreds of accountants making this move, and I’ll share common pitfalls so you can avoid them. 

We’ll cover issues like equating advisory with answering client questions, failing to productise services, overloading clients with data instead of insights, and pricing advisory like compliance work. By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable strategies to transform your practice into a thriving advisory business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Advisory is about leading conversations: accountants should guide clients rather than just reacting to their questions. "Advisory is about leading that conversation and identifying challenges before your clients do." - Amanda C. Watts

2. Productising advisory services: Selling outcomes instead of time helps in scaling advisory services. "Instead of selling time, sell on an outcome and transformation." - Amanda C. Watts

3. Speaking the client's language: Clients need clarity, not jargon. "If you want to sell advisory, you need to speak the language of your client." - Amanda C. Watts

4. Pricing based on value, not time: Advisory should reflect high-value transformation. "Your pricing advisory should be based on the value it delivers, not the time it takes." - Amanda C. Watts

5. Understanding emotional buying: Business owners buy emotionally, not just logically. "Logic backs up the sale, but emotion will make it big." - Amanda C. Watts

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• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

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In this week episode, I discuss the silent killer of profits—money leakage—and how it affects businesses, including accountants and bookkeepers. Leakage isn't just about small expenses or unnecessary subscriptions; it’s about hidden inefficiencies, poor systems, and a lack of financial clarity that drains profits monthly. Many business owners think they need more clients, but fixing leaks is crucial before pursuing growth. I’ll break down common money leaks in sales, productivity, margins, and debt. 

I also share a real-life example of Maria, my integrator, uncovering £60,000 in unbilled fees for a consulting firm. As advisors, we have a unique opportunity to help clients spot and fix these leaks, ensuring profitability and sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Sales Leaks: Poor follow-ups and processes cause leads to slip away. "Leads falling through the cracks...is not a sales problem; it's a follow-up problem." – Amanda C. Watts

2. Productivity Leaks: Time wasted on low-value tasks impacts efficiency. "If the wrong people are doing the wrong work, they're leaking money without even realising it." – Amanda C. Watts

3. Margin Leaks: Underpricing services and scope creep reduce profitability. "Many of you give advice away for free...you’re sitting on so much value." – Amanda C. Watts

4. Debt Leaks: Slow payments and poor cash flow management hurt businesses. "Businesses don’t just leak money from inefficiencies—they can literally be owed money and not collect it." – Amanda C. Watts

5. Advisors’ Role: Advisors should help clients identify and fix leaks effectively. "Your job as an advisor is to help them spot leaks, help them fix it, and prevent it from ever happening again." – Amanda C. Watts

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Welcome back to another episode of the Business Advisor Podcast!, and today we’re diving deep into a topic that many of you might be overlooking—finding your tone of voice in content marketing.

We all know content marketing is essential. You understand the importance of writing blog posts, posting on LinkedIn, and even creating videos. But when it’s time to sit down and create, do you ever wonder, how should I sound? Should you be formal or conversational? Playful or authoritative? And with AI making it easier to spot generic content, how can you stand out?

In this episode, I walk you through why most tone of voice guides are useless and share a simple framework to help you find an authentic tone that works for you. This will not only make content creation easier but also ensure your marketing cuts through the noise online.

Key Takeaways:

1. Define Your Unique Tone to Stand Out : Don’t rely on generic descriptors like “professional” or “helpful.” Instead, dig deeper to uncover what makes your voice distinct so you don’t get lost in the crowd. "Without a clear tone, your content blends into the sea of sameness." – Amanda C. Watts

2. Think of Your Business as a Person:  Visualize your business as a person—whether it’s a polished actor, a quirky magazine, or a lively TV host. "If your tone of voice feels like the Financial Times, you’ll naturally use a different writing style than if your tone of voice feels like the Sun." – Amanda C. Watts

3. Be Yourself, But Amplified:  Whether you’re a storyteller, a jokester, or a no-nonsense advisor, lean into your natural traits and turn them up to 10. "The best way to make your content interesting, engaging, and easy to create is to weave in your own personality." – Amanda C. Watts

4. Avoid Writing That Feels Forced:  Stop putting on a mask every time you write. Let your true self shine through—it’ll make content creation more enjoyable and sustainable. "When you’re trying to sound a certain way, it doesn’t really come naturally" – Amanda C. Watts

5. Match Your Tone to Attract the Right Clients:  Ensure your tone aligns with the type of clients you want to attract. A consistent tone builds trust and sets clear expectations for your audience. "If your content is laid back but your service is high end and premium, there’s going to be a bit of a mismatch." – Amanda C. Watts

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• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
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In this episode of The Business Advisor Podcast, I dive into transforming your website into an authority site that positions you as the go-to business advisor. I discuss how to move beyond a mere list of services and focus on addressing client pain points directly. 

Your website should guide visitors through a journey that makes them feel understood and confident in choosing you. Key elements include crafting a compelling headline, offering a strong value proposition, utilising lead magnets, showcasing credibility, and focusing on client-centric content with clear calls to action.

This episode is a must-listen for accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors who want to transform their websites into powerful tools that attract ideal clients and position them as trusted experts.

Key Takeaways

1. Craft a Powerful Headline: You need to grab attention immediately—your headline is your first (and maybe only) chance to connect. "Your headline should immediately speak to your ideal client's biggest problem so they instantly feel like you understand them." – Amanda C. Watts

2. Differentiate with a Strong Value Proposition: You’ve got to stand out from the crowd by showing why you’re the trusted choice. "Your value proposition should explain why you're different from the other 10 websites they just visited." – Amanda C. Watts

3. Use Lead Magnets to Nurture Potential Clients: You can't expect everyone to make a purchase right away, so provide something of value to stay in their minds. "A lead magnet allows you to stay in touch with people, nurture potential clients, and build authority over time." – Amanda C. Watts

4. Showcase Credibility Through Social Proof: You need to prove you’re the real deal—show off those certifications, logos, and testimonials. "People trust experts who have been validated by others. It's that stamp of credibility from someone other than you." – Amanda C. Watts

5. Focus on Client-Centric Content: You must make it all about them—their problems, their needs, and how you get them results. "Every word, every section, every call to action should make them think, wow, this person just gets me." – Amanda C. Watts

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Welcome back to another episode of the Business Advisor Podcast! This week we’re diving into something I’ve been noticing a lot lately, why so many advisors and consultants aren’t making the money they should be. 

It’s not because they lack skills, experience, or education. Nope. The real issue? They’re running their advisory business like service providers instead of solution providers.

Let me break it down for you. Service providers focus on tasks and basic advice, often missing the bigger picture. But solution providers? They dig deep, uncover real issues, and create customised plans that deliver transformation. That’s how you become a trusted partner instead of just another helper.

Now, here’s the exciting part: I will walk you through the three biggest mistakes holding advisors back and how to fix them. We’ll talk about why selling yourself instead of a solution is a recipe for struggle, why productizing your expertise is a game-changer, and why proving your solution works is non-negotiable. By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable steps to build an advisory business that stands out, pays well, and makes a real difference.

Key Takeaways:

1.  Sell Solutions, Not Yourself: Advisors need to sell solutions, not themselves, to attract high-paying clients. "They invest in having a full and remarkable solution." – Amanda C. Watts

2. Focus On Solving High-Impact Problems: Focusing on solving costly problems makes your solution more valuable to clients. "The bigger the problem feels to your clients, the more they're going to see the value in your solution." – Amanda C. Watts

3.  Productize Your Expertise: Productizing expertise creates a clear, scalable path to client results. "You have to offer a pathway to results." – Amanda C. Watts

4.  Prove Your Solution Works: Proving your solution works builds trust and justifies premium pricing. "If prospects don’t see proof, they’re not going to buy." – Amanda C. Watts

5. Combine Expertise With A Structured Approach: Combining expertise, structure, and proof transforms your offer into a must-have solution. "A certification absolutely enhances your credibility, but only if you combine it with real expertise, a structured approach and a proven solution." – Amanda C. Watts

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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Speak to you in the next episode...

In this episode of the Business Advisor Podcast, I dive into a topic that challenges many business owners: how big should your team be when scaling a business? I share my personal journey and explain why a small, mighty team of two can outperform larger teams. Many assume that growth requires adding more staff, but I argue that focusing on fewer, high-value clients allows you to scale deeper, not wider.

I break down the roles in this two-person dynamic: as the lead advisor, you focus on delivering deep, strategic advisory work to clients, while your operations support (or "the boss of your business") manages admin, scheduling, and streamlining processes. This setup fosters agility, reduces stress, and ensures clients receive direct access to expertise without unnecessary layers of complexity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on High-Value Clients: This approach allows for deeper engagement and more strategic work, leading to increased profitability without the need for a large team. "When I worked with fewer high-value clients, the business changed dramatically."  – Amanda C. Watts
2.  Streamline Operations for Efficiency: By eliminating redundant processes, you can focus on delivering value and reduce complexity, making your business leaner and more efficient. "Remove any unnecessary layers of work, approval, or admin."  – Amanda C. Watts
3.  Leverage Technology to Automate Tasks: Automation in areas like scheduling, reporting, and invoicing ensures that your small team can operate at full capacity, focusing on high-value activities rather than getting bogged down by administrative duties. "Use technology and tools to eliminate time-wasting tasks." – Amanda C. Watts
4. Hire Strategically for Maximum Impact: Hiring should be based on what truly supports your high-value model.  "Hire based on what actually supports your high-value model." – Amanda C. Watts
5. Reduce Stress with a Lean Team Structure:  With fewer people involved, decision-making becomes quicker, communication more direct, and the overall business experience less stressful, allowing for greater agility and responsiveness in the market.  "A tiny team equals more freedom, way more profit, and way more control." – Amanda C. Watts

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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Speak to you in the next episode...

In today’s episode, I dive into the power of a well-structured brochure and how it can completely change the way you market and sell your services. Many service-based businesses either don’t have a brochure or have one that doesn’t work effectively because it’s just a list of services and prices. A brochure should guide potential clients toward making a decision by clearly outlining the problem you solve, how you solve it, and the results they can expect.

I also explain how a brochure allows you to control the narrative and present your offer in a structured way that excites clients and makes them say, “I want this now.” Without a productised offer, your brochure risks becoming a mere price list that focuses on cost rather than value. I share how a strong brochure speeds up sales conversations, filters out wrong clients, and makes decision-making easier for prospects. It also acts as a tool that builds trust and showcases the transformation you deliver.

 Key Takeaways:

1.  A Brochure Should Guide Decision-Making: a brochure must show the client’s journey from their challenges to the desired outcome. “A brochure should show that you understand where they are now... and the journey that they go on working with you.” – Amanda C. Watts
2. Structured Offers Make Brochures Effective: without a structured, productised offer, your brochure won’t convey value. “Without a structured offer, a brochure is just a way to say, Here's what I do.” - Amanda C. Watts
3. Brochures Speed Up Sales Conversations: A good brochure ensures clients come informed, making the sales discussions smoother. “A brochure also speeds up sales conversations; clients come into the conversation already informed.” - Amanda C. Watts
4. Focus on Value, Not Price: a brochure should inspire excitement about transformation, not just focus on costs. “A well-crafted brochure guides the prospect towards wanting the result. Whilst a price list forces them to justify the cost.” - Amanda C. Watts
5. Clarity Is Key to a Strong Brochure:   If you’re struggling to create a brochure, it’s likely due to a lack of clarity in your offer. “it's probably not a design issue; it's a clarity issue.” - Amanda C. Watts

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

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Speak to you in the next episode...

Today we explore how productising your advisory services can turn your expertise into a "commercially smart" asset. I share the success story of Elise, an accountant who transformed her firm by productizing her advisory services with fixed-fee packages. This led to predictable income, stronger client relationships, and easier sales. 

You can eliminate price competition, shorten sales cycles, and position yourself as an expert when you productize your services. I also explain how productisation shifts you from being a "service provider" to a "category leader," delivering predictable outcomes clients crave.

Key Takeaways:

1. Productise Your Expertise: Turn your services into structured, marketable packages to simplify marketing and stand out. 

“Turn your expertise and experience into a structured, marketable offer that makes selling easier, simplifies your marketing, and ensures you stand out as the go-to expert.” – Amanda C. Watts 

2. Commercial Smarts: Focus on positioning and building demand instead of chasing clients and competing on price. 

"It means creating demand for what you do rather than constantly chasing potential clients. It means purposely making money rather than hiding and hoping that someone will come through with some referrals." – Amanda C. Watts 

3. Market Outcomes, Not Hours: Clients want results; frame your offerings around transformations and guarantees. 

"People don't want to buy hours of your time. They want to buy a transformation. They want to buy outcomes. They want to buy a guaranteed result." – Amanda C. Watts

4. Structured Offers Ease Sales: Remove uncertainty by offering clear, pre-defined solutions, accelerating the buying process. 

"A productised offer removes uncertainty from the buying process. Instead of convincing people to work with you, they see your offer as a clear, structured solution that they've been looking for." – Amanda C. Watts

5. Be the Expert, Not a Generalist: Create demand and authority with a proprietary system, attracting ideal clients. 

"Sadly, generalists market themselves and hope people will like them enough to give them money. Experts market a productized system that has a specific outcome in a specific time frame." – Amanda C. Watts

Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE

Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe

• Global Community Of Peers: CPAs, accountants, fractional CFOs, bookkeepers and finance professionals from all over the world sharing ideas, best practice and innovations with each other.
• Digital copy of Amanda's NEW BOOK, the Business Advisor Playbook: 300+ pages that will transform your approach and share the strategies you need to create, sell and deliver business advisory services.
• Digital copy of 500:200 Model™ Guide: My tried-and-tested formula for taking home at least 200K with business advisory revenue of 500K.
• 12 Days Of Business Advisory video series: that walks you through creating the perfect advisory offer.
• Hand Picked And Categorised episodes of the Business Advisor Podcast to accelerate your journey from a compliance-led to an advisory-led practice.

PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.

-
Speak to you in the next episode...