Evolve into a 3.0 L&D Consultant

4 minutes to read

Science museums make it easy to visualize how things evolve.

But when you're in the middle of that evolution? It's not so clear.

You only connect the dots looking back.

So, let's hop in our metaphorical time machine and take a trip through the e-learning industry.

We'll break down how things have shifted over the past few years...

...how outdated beliefs are holding professionals back...

...and what the future looks like for those who want to stay ahead.

The 1.0 AGENCY: The Old Guard

Back in the day, breaking into e-learning design wasn't easy. Enter the 1.0 Agency.

These agencies had big offices, big teams, and even bigger overheads. And despite their shiny coffee machines, they operated on outdated thinking:

• A sleek office with glass walls. A high-end coffee machine humming in the corner. They think it screams success. Spoiler: It doesn’t. (Clients never visit. They don’t care about your espresso machine.)
• They lock themselves into one city, hiring from a tiny local talent pool. Meanwhile, global talent is just a Zoom call away, but they’d rather keep it old-school.
• They believe offering everything under the sun will attract clients. In reality? It’s a chaotic mess, spreading them too thin and diluting their expertise.
• Stress levels? Off the charts. Full-service means full expenses. If a 3.0 Consultant goes a few months without a client, it stings — but they survive. For a 1.0 Agency, it’s DEFCON 1.
• Profit margins? A joke. Just like creative and ad agencies, they scrape by on 6-15% margins, barely enough to justify the stress.

1.0 Agencies are a relic, still clinging to the illusion that size equals success.

The 2.0 FREELANCER: Breaking Free

Then came the rise of the 2.0 Freelancer, sparked in 2012 when Articulate launched Storyline and the E-Learning Heroes community.

The 2.0 Freelancer ditched the office, working remotely and hiring virtual assistants. But they still carried some old baggage:

• Their bread and butter? “Converting” legacy content. (A fancy way of saying they’re fixing outdated training materials for companies scrambling to catch up.)
• They’re tech-savvy but clueless about their real value. Ask them what problem they solve, and you’ll get a confused look. But hey, at least they’re getting paid... right?
• Pricing? It’s a mystery. They pick numbers out of thin air, with zero understanding of market positioning or value-based pricing. They just hope it sounds right.
• They ditched the office, sure. They hunt for clients globally, hire virtual assistants, and work remotely. But they’re still juggling way too many niches and offering buffet-style services... like a spa menu.

The 2.0 Freelancer took the baton from the 1.0 Agency and ran with it, sort of.

They scrapped the office, embraced remote work, and cut unnecessary overhead. Progress? Sure. But there’s still a long way to go.

Because while they’ve gained flexibility, they lack one crucial thing: strategy.

They treat their business like a never-ending experiment, constantly tinkering but never truly locking in a system that works.

Pricing? A shot in the dark. They sign a couple of clients and make decent money, but ask them why they charge what they do? Crickets.

Here’s the kicker: despite all the guesswork, a 2.0 Freelancer can still walk away with more profit than a bloated 1.0 Agency. No office lease. No payroll. No stress about keeping the lights on.

But profit isn’t everything. Without a clear direction, they’re just surviving — not thriving.

The 2.0 Freelancer made the leap, but they’re still stuck in no man’s land, waiting for the next evolution.

The 3.0 CONSULTANT: The Future is Here

Now we’re stepping into the next evolution: the 3.0 Consultant.

This model blends the best of both worlds: the stability of the 1.0 Agency and the flexibility of the 2.0 Freelancer. But it takes things to another level:

• Specialization is everything. No more juggling multiple niches—focus on one and own it.
• Profit over revenue. Flashy numbers mean nothing if your bank account doesn’t reflect it.
• Client acquisition is king. 70% of your energy goes into getting clients, not busywork.
• Lean and mean. No unnecessary infrastructure. No distractions. Just results.

The 3.0 Consultant isn't looking for quick wins.

They're building a sustainable business with a clear vision, a focused niche, and a relentless drive for results.

With the 3.0 model, you’re no longer reacting to the market—you’re leading it.

It’s about:

• Owning your niche and positioning yourself as the go-to expert.
• Building predictable revenue streams with high-value clients.
• Creating impact-driven solutions, not just courses.

The 3.0 Consultant isn’t just another freelancer. They’re a strategic partner who brings long-term value to their clients.

Why This Matters for You

If you're stuck in the corporate grind, undervalued, overworked, and wondering if there's more, this evolution matters.

Because transitioning to a 3.0 Consultant means:

• Working smarter, not harder.
• Leveraging your expertise to solve real problems.
• Finally getting paid what you're worth.

The e-learning landscape is evolving, and those who embrace the 3.0 Consultant model will be the ones who thrive.

So, the question is: are you ready to evolve?

If any of this resonated, maybe it’s time to explore what the next step looks like for you.