Running a great 1-on-1 session
Practical tips on preparation, communication, and follow-up to deliver real value every time.
In this guide
The anatomy of a great advisory session
A session that earns a 5-star review is almost always defined by preparation and structure. Clients leave happy when they feel their time was well spent and they have a clear path forward.
A great session has three phases: preparation, the session itself, and follow-up. Most experts only focus on the session itself and miss 60% of the impact.
Phase 1 — Prepare
Review any brief or notes the client submitted when booking. Research their company, role, or context if it is relevant. Have a rough agenda in mind — even a flexible one — so the session has direction. Come with 2–3 questions you want to ask them early on.
- Read the booking notes carefully — clients share important context there
- Look up the client's LinkedIn if they shared it
- Have examples and frameworks ready but don't over-script
- Test your audio/video setup 5 minutes before start time
Phase 2 — The session
Start by briefly confirming the client's goal for the session. This takes 2 minutes and ensures you are both aligned. Then follow their lead — your job is to facilitate, not lecture.
Spend the first half listening and asking clarifying questions. Use the second half to share frameworks, insights, and actionable recommendations. Always leave 5 minutes at the end to summarise takeaways and agree on next steps.
- Ask "What would make this session a success for you?" at the start
- Use the "5 Whys" technique to get to the real problem
- Share your screen to show frameworks or documents when useful
- Take brief notes so you can reference them during follow-up
Phase 3 — Follow-up
Within 24 hours, send a short follow-up message through the platform summarising the key points discussed and the agreed next steps. This takes 10 minutes and dramatically increases your review rate and likelihood of repeat bookings.
- Keep the follow-up to 200–300 words — concise is better
- Number the action items for clarity
- Offer to answer one or two quick follow-up questions over chat
- Mention that you are available for a follow-up session if they need it
Common mistakes to avoid
- Talking too much — listen at least 40% of the time
- Giving generic advice that ignores the client's specific context
- Going over time without checking if the client is available
- Forgetting to end with clear, numbered next steps
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