#38 Six Levels of Productized Consulting: Escaping the $10–30k/Month Ceiling

Welcome to the $100k Playbook with Mike KoziolThis episode breaks down why traditional custom consulting traps most solo consultants in the $10–30k/month range and maps out six levels of productization—from fully custom work to licensing. Mike explains the math behind the revenue ceiling, the “hungry monster” of hiring, and how shifting to productized programs and group consulting can dramatically increase income, scalability, and predictability without turning into a full-time manager.Show NotesTopics CoveredWhy most consultants get stuck at $10–30k/monthThe hard math of capacity, pricing, and revenue ceilingsThe hidden trap of “scaling” by hiring a teamWhy agency-style scaling often kills your love for consultingLevel 0 – Complete Custom 1:1 ConsultingPurely bespoke, done-for-you workHigh depth, low scalabilityLevel 1 – Standardized Custom PackagesDefined containers (e.g., 6 sessions, fixed scope)Still custom inside the boxLevel 2 – Productized ProjectsFixed-scope, fixed-timeline, fixed-price projects“Copy-paste” implementation across different clientsLevel 3 – Productized RetainersMonthly engagements with tightly defined scopeConsistent methodology, frameworks, and processesLevel 4 – Productized Programs (Group Consulting)Longer-term, curriculum-driven programsConsultant guides, client implementsCan be run 1:1 or in groupsSame effort whether 5 or 50 participantsLevel 5 – LicensingYou no longer deliver; others license and implement your IPHighly scalable, but removes you from day-to-day client workGroup Consulting & Productized ProgramsHow group consulting breaks the time-for-money tradeWhy losing 4 clients out of 57 is very different from losing 4 out of 6Forecasting revenue with long-term contracts and clear graduation pointsStaying close to client problems without managing a big teamKey Questions to Reflect OnWhich level are you operating at right now?What would need to change to move one level up?Target client profileDelivery methodScope and pricinAre you willing to redefine who you serve and how you serve them to gain scalability?TakeawaysTraditional 1:1 consulting has a built-in ceiling; it’s not a mindset issue, it’s math.Hiring a bigger team is not the only—or even the best—path to scale.Productized programs and group consulting can be a powerful middle ground:High leverage and scalabilityStrong client connectionReduced dependence on selling time—Connect with the host of the $100k Playbook Mike Koziol on Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michalkoziol/⁠⁠⁠Download the 2025 Consulting report: ⁠⁠⁠https://mikekoziol.com/the-100k-consultant-report/⁠⁠⁠Download to $100k Offer Playbook: ⁠⁠⁠https://mikekoziol.com/the-100k-offer-playbook/⁠⁠⁠Schedule a free marketing brainstorming session: ⁠⁠⁠https://mikekoziol.com/connect/⁠⁠⁠Please rate the podcast on Spotify and iTunes <3Tags: consulting, consultant, productization, scaling, service business, marketing agency, freelancing, fractional CxO, profitability