Back to Routine
Life After Labor Day
The week of Labor Day is a big one in New York City. My partner, Amy, is a teacher, and this is the week she heads back to the classroom. Students start the new school year the Thursday after Labor Day. The morning commute gets more crowded, and parking gets harder to find. For the first time in a few years, the weather seems to be doing what it should with cool nights and temperate days.
We spent last week on Fishers Island, NY. Here is sunrise on Isabella Beach.
For my family, this week was particularly complicated.
Amy took a leave of absence from teaching for the last year to be home with our 2.5 year old, Marlow. Ever since her initial parental leave ended, Amy has just wanted to have more time with Marlow while she could. Marlow has loved it, too. She and Amy have grown so close and have had so much fun and growth together. We are fortunate to have been able to make it work.
But this week, Marlow went back to daycare. Amy went back to school. And my computer died. So it's been a week! I plan to get this newsletter back to twice weekly next week and continue on that cadence henceforth, barring potential holiday weeks.
Here are a few updates and things to share in a shorter-than-usual newsletter.
Thanks for reading The Chorus Consultant Community! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
What Should Our Next Report Be?
Independent consultants love our reports! They consistently receive hundreds (sometimes thousands!) of views and downloads. Our most recent one was all about how independent consultants build their businesses. Check it out here:
Report: The Surprising Truth About Finding Clients
·
August 20, 2025
I've been curious about how other independent consultants in our field find and keep clients. So we ran a survey! The results were interesting to me, and I think you'll find them useful, too.
We create these reports through surveys of our community — you!
So what do you want to do next? Where would it be useful to have more data and information?
Please vote for your top choice here:
POLL
What should our next report be?
Updated report on pay rates & fees
3rd party & specialist recs
Favorite tech tools & systems
Pathways for growing skills & biz
3 VOTES · · SHOW RESULTS
Calling Coauthors
I've taken a lot of joy in writing newsletters with coauthors. The way it has worked has been to do an hourlong interview about a topic of mutual interest. Then I write a first draft, and my coauthor gets it into final draft shape.
I would love to do more. Do you have something you're pondering that other independent consultants would benefit from learning more about? Or do you have a unique experience or perspective to share? Let me know (sam@chorusai.co), and let's find time to explore it.
We do have a few collaborative pieces scheduled for this month and next, including Myles Bugbee sharing a "day in the life" of his successful consultancy, Persuasion & Pixels.
If you didn't see them yet, check out these collaborations:
Thinking About Becoming an Independent Consultant?
Sam Landenwitsch and Hannah Fine
·
August 12, 2025
Creating Connection in a Solo Practice
Sam Landenwitsch and Michaela Howard
·
July 29, 2025
Customer First Work
Sam Landenwitsch and Kent Peterson
·
July 22, 2025
Finding Your Consulting Sweet Spot
Sam Landenwitsch and Jamie Cerretti
·
July 15, 2025
Want To Learn More About AI?
I'm a trainer for the 3-month AI for Nonprofits and Advocacy cohort that's being hosted by the Center for Digital Strategy. Whether you're just starting, using AI daily, scaling efforts, or advancing beyond basics - we have resources to help. It includes live sessions, peer support, hands-on tools, and a capstone project.
Check it out here: https://www.centerfordigitalstrategy.com/ai-for-nonprofits-and-advocacy/cohort
Why you might want to sign up:
76% of nonprofits say they lack the skills to adopt AI responsibly
Misuse can increase bias, erode trust, and burn out staff
Cashing Checks
Way back in August, I went to Netroots Nation in New Orleans and got to pitch Chorus AI’s Marketing Studio in the New Tools Showcase. We won our category — best new feature — and were runner up for the overall showcase.
My first time receiving a novelty check.
It was a lot of fun getting to share what we’re building with the folks at Netroots. Our Marketing Studio helps progressive organizations by combining advanced analytics, content optimization, and automated execution for email, social media, SMS, direct mail, and more in one integrated solution.
For our early partners with substantial email lists, this has unlocked hundreds of thousands in untapped donation revenue.
If you want to learn more about it, drop me a line and I’m happy to schedule a meeting.