Stop Giving Away Strategy for Free: How to Get Paid for Your Thinking
You’ve been there.
You hop on a discovery call, ask all the right questions, uncover hidden gaps, even outline a clear path forward. The prospect nods enthusiastically, thanks you for your insights…
And then they ghost—or worse, hand your strategy to someone else to execute. 😑
If you're tired of giving away high-value thinking for free, it’s time for a shift.
The Hidden Cost of Free Strategy
When you only get paid to implement, you become the hired hands—not the brains of the operation. You’re stuck executing other people’s half-baked plans, even when you know there's a better way.
If you want to be seen (and paid) as a strategic advisor, you need an entry point that monetizes your expertise from the very first engagement.
Enter: the gateway strategy offer.
Why You Need a Gateway Offer to Establish Authority
During a discovery call, your goal isn't just to hear what the prospect thinks they need. It’s to uncover what they’re missing. And that kind of insight should come with a price tag.
At Heights, we recommend starting with one of two gateway offers:
A Marketing Audit
A Strategy Session Package
Let’s focus on the first one.
The Power of a Paid Marketing Audit
Our go-to is a Marketing Audit and Roadmap—a comprehensive evaluation of a company’s marketing efforts that uncovers gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities.
It allows you to:
✅ Diagnose the real issues before offering solutions
✅ Get paid upfront for your insight
✅ Set the stage for larger strategic engagements
It’s not just about brand messaging (though that's important). Messaging alone won’t fix broken funnels, unclear targeting, or misaligned offers. An audit gives you the full picture—and the power to recommend smart, strategic action.
"But Creating an Offer Sounds Exhausting..."
We get it. That’s why we created the Marketing Audit ToolKit—a plug-and-play resource with everything you need to confidently propose, sell, and deliver a high-value audit.
Start small. One of our clients branded their audit the “Gaps and Gains Analysis” and priced it at $1500. It doesn't have to be a $10K enterprise-level project.
You can:
Name it in a way that resonates with your audience
Price it based on your market
Use it as a door-opener to higher-ticket strategy work
Start Charging for What Matters Most: Your Thinking
At the end of the day, your strategic brain is your most valuable asset. You’ve earned the right to be paid for it.
So—what’s stopping you?
What’s Next?
In our next post, we’ll dive into the other powerful gateway offer: the strategy session package—what it looks like, how to price it, and how to use it to build long-term client relationships.
Want Support as You Build Your Advisory Business?
Join the waitlist for our next Strategic Mastermind group. You'll connect with other marketing professionals who are also shifting from execution to strategy—and building more profitable, impactful businesses along the way.
