Be the one who connects problems with the people who can solve them, essentially charging for matchmaking genius without ever doing the grunt work yourself.
An idea broker connects people with problems to those with the solutions, without getting involved in the work itself.
Unlike a typical consultant, who has to dig into the problem, plan, and often execute the solution, the idea broker simply finds the right expert and charges a fee for making the match.
No deep research. No implementation. Just the connection.
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How to charge for your services as an idea broker
You charge based on the value of the problem being solved, not the time spent. The smartest way to price your services? Take a percentage of the deal.
If a solution saves your client $100K, taking 10-20% for brokering it is a no-brainer. Your role is minimal, but the impact is huge—so your fee reflects that.
Alternatively, charge a flat matchmaking fee for smaller jobs. Say $2,000 to $5,000 for pairing a business with a solution that fixes their pain point.
The key here is positioning yourself as the bridge between costly problems and valuable solutions. Your fee isn’t about hours—it’s about results.
Consultants charge by the hour or the project, and they’re deep in the weeds. As an idea broker, you’re making money fast by simply connecting the right dots and taking a cut of the success, over and over again.
You don’t need to be an expert in any industry.
All you need is a good eye for recognizing problems and knowing who can solve them.
An idea broker doesn’t spend weeks analyzing data or creating reports like a consultant—they just link the right people and get paid fast.
Once you’ve built a list of reliable experts, you’re just cashing in for connecting dots.
This means less time spent per deal, more clients, and higher profits. With idea brokering, you focus on volume—more deals, more money—while consultants usually have to go deep on one or two projects at a time.
How to identify profitable problems as an idea broker
Identifying profitable problems as an idea broker is all about spotting pain points that cost people time or money—things they’ll pay to make disappear.
Start by listening closely to what people complain about, especially in industries where inefficiencies are expensive or solutions aren’t obvious.
The key is finding problems that are urgent, repetitive, or blocking someone from making money themselves.
Look for industries or business models where there’s a lot of competition.
Companies always want an edge over the others, and they’ll pay for a solution that gives them that edge. If someone’s bottleneck is slowing down their profits, they’re going to pay for a fix—fast.
As an idea broker, your only job is to identify that pain, find the right person to solve it, and charge a fee for connecting them.
The simplest way? Keep an eye on where money is already flowing. If there’s a high demand for quick fixes or expert help in a niche, that’s a golden opportunity for an idea broker.
Focus on problems that are just complex enough that someone doesn’t want to DIY it but straightforward enough that you can easily connect them to a solution.
That’s the perfect spot where people are willing to pay to make their problem vanish—without blinking.
How to find and vet solution profiders as an idea broker
Finding and vetting solution providers as an idea broker is all about speed and precision—no extra steps, no becoming a glorified project manager.
First, tap into specialized online platforms (like Upwork or niche job boards) where experts in specific fields already hang out.
It’s quicker than trying to find someone yourself. You want to look for people with clear success stories, solid reviews, and proven expertise in what they do.
Their track record tells you they’ll get the job done without you needing to babysit.
You’re not managing the work—they are. Vet them by having a quick call, making sure they can handle the client’s problem, and then step back.
Make it clear you’re brokering the connection, not overseeing their every move.
Once you’ve found a reliable provider, they’re on your roster for future deals—so you never have to go through this vetting process again.
Set expectations upfront. Tell both the client and the provider exactly where your role ends—as soon as you’ve introduced them, you’re out.
This keeps your job simple: find, vet, connect, and cash out—without getting tangled up in the nitty-gritty work that consultants deal with.
Requirements to become an idea broker
Becoming an idea broker in industries you know nothing about
Knowing nothing about an industry isn’t a roadblock when you’re an idea broker.
Your job is to connect the right people, not to know every detail about the industry itself. In fact, not being weighed down by too much technical knowledge can be an advantage.
All you need to do is understand the problem at a high level, spot the gap, and know how to find someone with the expertise to fill it.
You don’t need to know how software works to connect a business with a killer app developer. The key here is building a network of experts who are already deep in those industries.
Once you have a roster of trusted solution providers across fields, you’re brokering ideas like a pro—no industry expertise required. It’s like being the ultimate connector who skims the surface while others dive deep. You profit by letting them do what they know best, without getting buried in the weeds yourself.
Network size
You don’t need a big network to kick off idea brokering—you just need a smart way to fake it. The first step? Leverage other people’s networks.
Start by joining niche communities, online forums, or even LinkedIn groups where your target industry hangs out.
You’re not there to sell or schmooze—you’re there to observe who the go-to experts are.
Once you’ve identified a few key players, reach out casually and build a relationship by offering value, even if it’s just sharing an insightful article or starting a meaningful convo.
You’re quietly positioning yourself as a connector without anyone realizing it yet.
Give free matchmaking services at first. Reach out to those who need help and the experts you’ve discovered, connect them for free or maybe a small fee, and build some trust along the way.
Then, once you’ve made a couple of successful matches, leverage those relationships to grow your network—by word of mouth. Each connection is a seed for future business.
Oh, and hack your way into credibility.
Set up a professional-looking website, even if your network is thin. Have a few solid case studies (real or projected) to show what you can do. This gives the illusion of a well-established operation even when you’re just getting started.
