Thinking About Consulting? You’re Not Alone.

There’s a quiet shift happening in the association sector.

More and more professionals - especially those with deep experience and strong networks - are exploring what it means to step into consulting. Some are doing it between roles. Some alongside their current job. Some as a full-time move. Others are helping out a friend’s association and realising, hang on... I could actually charge for this.

In the Purpose Under Pressure research, 1 in 4 respondents said they’re already consulting. And another 40% are considering it - with 13% planning to make the leap within the next three years.

This isn’t a blip. It’s a structural shift.

Why Consulting Is Calling

The top drivers are pretty consistent:

• A desire for more flexibility
• The chance to make a bigger impact across multiple organisations
• The ability to choose projects that align with your purpose
• And, for some, the very real burnout of being one person doing five roles inside one association

The work is there. Associations are under pressure. And many are turning to consultants to fill critical gaps in strategy, governance, marketing, events, tech, and transformation. 

But here’s what we also heard from the consultants in the data - especially those just starting out: 

“I know how to do the work. I just don’t know how to be a consultant.”

The Barriers Are Real - but Surmountable

Consulting might sound like a dream - but it comes with valid questions:

• How do I price myself?
• Where do I find clients?
• How do I balance this with my day job?
• Will it create conflicts with my board or manager?
• Is this even legitimate if I didn’t “mean” to start doing it?

The research surfaced three key barriers:

• Time constraints – Trying to build a business while still working or juggling family.
• Pricing uncertainty – Not knowing what your work is worth, or how to scope a project.
• Employer boundaries – Concern about how side consulting is perceived by current employers.

On top of that, some cited imposter syndrome, fear of “selling themselves,” or simply not knowing where to start. Even experienced professionals weren’t sure they had the legitimacy to call themselves a consultant.

A Growing (and Needed) Workforce

What’s clear is that the sector needs you - not just as an extra pair of hands, but as a strategic partner equipped to help solve the most pressing challenges associations are facing right now.

In the Purpose Under Pressure research, association professionals identified the following as their most significant organisational challenges:

• Delivering compelling member value (86%)
• Engaging and retaining members (85%)
• Ensuring financial sustainability (84%)
• Developing long-term strategy and innovation (83%)
• Attracting new members (81%)
• Building strong member communities (80%)

And that’s just the top six.

These aren’t isolated issues. They’re deeply interconnected. And solving them requires capacity, clarity, and confidence - three things many in-house teams simply don’t have the bandwidth to generate on their own.

That’s where consultants can add immense value.  

And many of the best consultants? They’re former association professionals. People who’ve been in the trenches. Who get the politics, the pace, and the purpose. And that inside-out understanding is exactly what makes you valuable.

You Don’t Have to Go It Alone 

One of the themes that came through strongly in the open comments was isolation. New consultants - especially side-hustlers - often said they felt unsure, invisible, or overwhelmed.

But you’re not on your own.

There’s a whole community of consultants-in-the-making who are asking the same questions, testing the waters, and looking for clarity.

So let me offer this:

If you want to explore whether consulting is right for you, join me at the Association Leaders Retreat. After seeing the research, the team at Answers for Associations are adding in time to explore pathways into consulting - what works, what doesn’t, and how to find your place in the market with confidence and clarity. 

Whether you’re already consulting, casually helping others, or just wondering if you could - this is a chance to get practical, real-world guidance in a supportive environment.

It’s a chance to learn from peers, ask real questions, and explore your options in a supportive, down-to-earth environment.

📍 Monday 28 July | Port Douglas, Australia
🌴 Sun, strategy, and smart conversations await.
🌿 Register to attend the Association Leaders Retreat

Because consulting isn’t just a job—it’s a way to stay in the sector you love, in a way that works for your life, your skills, and your purpose.

And if you’re feeling that quiet nudge? Maybe it’s time to explore it.