Consultants and SME's

Survivors as Consultants & Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Many survivors transition into consulting, public speaking, training, and subject matter expertise (SME) work based on their lived-experience and professional skills. Whether you are a speaker, advocate, trainer, or offering survivor-informed services, having the right professional documents in place will help you establish yourself and protect your work.

Check out our Mini Guide's Presents: 

Mini Guide to Consultant Materials 

Templates for Consultants and SMEs

All templates are available in a “View Only” format on Google Drive. To use a template, click “Save a Copy” and edit your version as needed.

Professional Bio  

Why You Might Need It:

A strong bio introduces you to potential clients, organizations, or speaking opportunities. It highlights your experience, areas of expertise, and professional background.

✅ Do:

• Write different versions for different uses (short for social media, long for speaking engagements).  

• Focus on strengths, expertise, and mission.  

• Keep it professional yet engaging.  

❌ Don’t:

• Make it too long—get to the point quickly.  

• Downplay your experience—your lived experience and advocacy work matter.  

• Forget to update it as you gain new experience.  

Professional Bio

Fee Sheet  

Why You Might Need It:  

A professional fee sheet sets clear pricing for your services, preventing confusion or undervaluation.

✅ Do:

• List services (consulting, training, speaking) with corresponding rates.  

• Offer pricing options for different engagement types (hourly, daily, project-based).  

• Be clear about additional fees (travel, materials, etc.).  

❌ Don’t: 

• Underprice yourself—your expertise has value.  

• Be vague about pricing—clarity helps prevent issues.  

• Forget to update rates as your experience grows.  

Professional Fee Structure

Invoice Template  

Why You Might Need It: 

When working as a contractor or consultant, an invoice ensures you get paid for your work professionally and on time.

✅ Do:  

• Include your name, business name (if applicable), and contact details.  

• Clearly state the service provided, rate, and due date.  

• Keep records of all invoices for tax and legal purposes.  

❌ Don’t:  

• Forget to confirm payment terms before invoicing.  

• Skip following up on overdue invoices professionally.  

• Assume clients will remember to pay without reminders.  

General Invoice Template

 Cover Letter Template  

Why You Might Need It:

A cover letter helps when applying for speaking engagements, grants, fellowships, or consulting contracts.

✅ Do:  

• Customize each letter for the specific opportunity.  

• Emphasize your survivor-informed expertise.  

• Keep it short and direct.  

❌ Don’t:  

• Use the same letter for every opportunity—tailor it.  

• Over-explain personal trauma—keep it focused on expertise.  

• Apologize for gaps in experience—highlight strengths instead.  

Cover Letter Template

 Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)  

Why You Might Need It:  

An NDA protects your work, ideas, and personal information when collaborating with others.

✅ Do:  

• Use it before sharing confidential business ideas or training materials.  

• Make sure both parties sign before sharing sensitive information.  

• Keep copies of signed agreements for records.  

❌ Don’t:  

• Assume trust is enough—protect your work legally.  

• Share confidential materials before an NDA is signed.  

• Ignore unclear clauses—ask questions before signing.  

General NDA

Release of Information (ROI)  

Why You Might Need It: 

An ROI allows controlled sharing of personal or professional information when required for opportunities.

✅ Do:  

• Use it if an organization requests access to information about your work or experience.  

• Specify exactly what can and cannot be shared.  

• Keep a copy of any signed ROI for your records.  

❌ Don’t: 

• Sign an ROI without understanding its terms.  

• Allow unrestricted access to sensitive information.  

• Forget to set an expiration date if needed.  

ROI (Release of Information) 

Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Why You Might Need It: 

An LOI is a formal way to express interest in an opportunity, such as consulting work, funding, or collaborations. It serves as an introduction before submitting a full proposal.

✅ Do:

• Clearly state your expertise and why you’re a good fit.

• Highlight key strengths and survivor-informed knowledge.

• Keep it concise and professional.

❌ Don’t:

• Assume the recipient knows your background—explain it briefly.

• Overload it with details—keep it focused on getting to the next step.

• Forget to follow up if you don’t hear back.

Building Your Consulting Career

Transitioning into consulting as a survivor can be empowering, but having the right professional documents is essential to protect yourself and establish credibility. Use these templates to create a solid foundation for your work.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Be Here

You are not just your story—you are your expertise, your knowledge, and your power. Being a survivor does not mean you owe your work for free. Your experience, your insight, and your skills are valuable, and you deserve to be compensated for them.

If you’re stepping into consulting, know this: You are enough. Your voice matters. Your work is needed. And no matter what doubts or challenges come up, remember that survivors build each other up. Keep pushing forward, keep setting your worth, and never let anyone tell you that your experience is anything less than powerful.

You are not alone, and you’ve got this.