- 1Free training platforms like EdApp and GoSkills offer customizable courses and tracking to improve client training delivery
- 2Arist (a paid tool) delivers training by text message, which suits distributed and frontline workforces without desktop access
- 3Excel skills are essential for consultants managing data and reports; Chandoo accelerates mastery with structured lessons and templates
Consultants must continually sharpen their skills, stay current with industry trends, and maintain a pipeline of new clients. Free resources help with all three -- training platforms build expertise, industry blogs provide market intelligence, and networking communities generate referrals. A professional booking page is another essential tool that allows potential clients to schedule consultations without back-and-forth emails.
This guide covers the 13 best free resources for consultants across training, industry knowledge, and professional development, for independent and agency consultants alike. Twelve are free or have a useful free tier; Arist is a paid platform, included because it solves a delivery problem the free tools don't, and it is labeled as paid below.
Training and Course Platforms
EdApp
EdApp is a mobile-first training platform with a free course library containing hundreds of editable courses across business, compliance, and leadership topics. For training consultants, it provides both ready-made content and an authoring tool to create custom courses. Its LMS system tracks learner progress and completion rates, giving consultants data to demonstrate training effectiveness to clients.
Pricing: Free sign-up available; edapp.com now redirects to SafetyCulture's platform, so check current plans | Key features: Template library, course library, analytics and reporting
GoSkills
GoSkills consolidates training management into a single platform where consultants can create custom courses, import existing content, and track learner progress. Its gamification features -- coins, streaks, and achievement tiers -- are designed to keep learners coming back. For consultants delivering corporate training programs, the built-in reporting simplifies progress updates to stakeholders.
Pricing: Free account with limited lessons per course; full course access and team features are paid | Key features: Course library, gamification, reporting and tracking
Arist
Arist takes a novel approach to corporate training by delivering courses via text message rather than traditional LMS platforms. Learners get content in short bursts throughout the day, which fits people who aren't at a desk. For consultants working with distributed or frontline workforces who lack desktop access, Arist solves the delivery problem that conventional platforms cannot.
Pricing: Paid; no public pricing (contact sales for a demo) | Key features: Course builder, text-based delivery, comprehensive analytics
Business Skills and Knowledge
Chandoo
Chandoo is an Excel training resource with a large library of free articles and tutorials (plus paid courses) covering everything from basic formulas to advanced data analysis and dashboard creation. For independent consultants who manage their own financial models, client reports, and data analysis, strong Excel skills are non-negotiable. Its tutorials and downloadable templates are a faster route to proficiency than trial and error.
ConsultingMag
ConsultingMag publishes industry news, company profiles, and job listings that help consultants track market trends and identify opportunities. Its coverage of consulting-specific topics -- from engagement models to client management strategies -- provides intelligence that general business publications miss. For consultants evaluating which sectors are growing, it offers timely market context.
Feedly
Feedly aggregates content from blogs, news sites, and industry publications you select, creating a personalized news feed. For consultants who need to stay current across multiple industries and client sectors, it replaces the time-consuming habit of visiting dozens of websites individually. The flagging feature lets you save articles for client prep and proposal research.
CaseInterview.com
CaseInterview.com provides case interview practice, coaching resources, and video tutorials specifically for management consultants. For anyone preparing for a consulting firm interview or refining client-facing presentation skills, the structured case frameworks and sample solutions build the analytical storytelling ability that distinguishes top consultants.
Consultport
Consultport is a marketplace that connects independent consultants with project opportunities from enterprise clients. Beyond the project matching, its blog and resource library cover consulting best practices, proposal writing, and client relationship management -- providing both income opportunities and professional development in one platform.
SlideShare
SlideShare hosts millions of professional presentations on every business topic, making it a research tool for consultants who need to quickly understand a new industry, framework, or methodology. Studying how experienced consultants structure their decks also improves your own presentation skills -- an underappreciated learning opportunity.
Blogs and Communities
Killer Consultant
Killer Consultant takes a conversational, accessible approach to consulting topics that makes learning feel natural rather than academic. It covers client acquisition, project management, and professional growth in a tone that keeps readers engaged. For consultants who find traditional business blogs dry, it provides the same insights in a more readable format.
Management Consultant
Management Consultant is a comprehensive blog covering consulting frameworks, career guidance, and job opportunities. It serves as a reference library for consultants who need to brush up on specific methodologies or explore new specialization areas. The career-focused content is particularly useful for consultants transitioning between industries or service areas.
Troy Dean's Blog
Troy Dean is a digital marketing consultant and entrepreneur whose blog provides practical advice on building and scaling a consulting practice. His content covers client acquisition, pricing strategies, and business operations -- the business-side skills that many technically skilled consultants struggle with. The advice is drawn from hands-on experience rather than theory.
Women In Consulting
Women In Consulting is a professional community that combines networking opportunities with educational content focused on leadership, business development, and consulting excellence. The community aspect provides peer support and referral opportunities that individual learning resources cannot replicate, making it valuable for both professional growth and business development.
Conclusion
The consulting landscape evolves quickly, and the professionals who invest in continuous learning maintain their competitive edge. Free training platforms, industry blogs, and professional communities provide the knowledge and connections needed to grow a consulting practice without significant financial investment. Offering clients a simple online booking experience can set you apart from other consultants and simplify your client intake process.
Example workflow: An independent operations consultant links a booking page from her LinkedIn profile and proposals. Prospects pick a free 30-minute discovery call; the booking lands on her Google Calendar with a Google Meet link, and they get an email confirmation and reminder. When a prospect signs on, she sends them a link to a paid 90-minute strategy session instead, which takes payment at booking through Stripe (a Standard plan feature in SchedulingKit, the tool she uses). Research for the engagement comes from her Feedly boards and ConsultingMag, and proposals, contracts, and project tracking stay in the tools built for them.
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