Confessions with Jess and Cindy The Myth of Passive Income: Marc Pitman's Candid Take on 20+ Years in Nonprofit Consulting
Marc Pitman is a DELIGHT. The CEO of Concord Leadership Group joined us to spill all the tea on what it actually takes to keep a consulting practice alive and thriving for over two decades.
Marc took us on his journey from bow-tie-wearing "Fundraising Coach" to running multiple brands under his company umbrella. And yes, we finally got him to admit the truth about "passive income" (spoiler alert: it's completely made up!).
If you've ever felt like everyone else has it figured out while you're still flying by the seat of your pants, this episode will make you feel SO MUCH BETTER. Marc's old-school approach to marketing (dude literally picks up the phone and calls people every day) combined with his willingness to evolve makes for a masterclass in consulting longevity.
Highlights:
- The "Jeremy Bearimy" approach to marketing: Marc focuses on activities he can control (like making daily phone calls) and trusts that business will come—but not in the linear, trackable way modern marketing promises
- Audience building then and now: From early blogging in 2003 to navigating today's "walled-off" social platforms, Marc shares how he's consistently adapted his approach while maintaining his core focus on serving first
- Overcoming the comparison trap: Marc explains how he stops himself from second-guessing content when he sees others covering similar topics, and how finding your unique voice matters more than originality
- The consulting long game: Even with multiple revenue streams (speaking, coaching, books, etc.), Marc shares that the goal isn't to sell the business but to be "used up" when he dies—living up to all the potential entrusted to him
Resources Mentioned:
- Fundraising Coach - Marc's blog since 2003
- Concord Leadership Group - Umbrella company for Marc's brands
- The Nonprofit Academy - Low-cost, CFRE-accredited training program
- Ask Without Fear - Marc's first book on fundraising
- "The Surprising Gift of Doubt" - Marc's book on leadership
- Gallup Strengths Finder - Marc mentioned having "Maximizer" as one of his strengths
- Quadrant Three Leadership Coach Certification - Program that Marc and his wife run
Find Us Online: https://www.confessionswithjessandcindy.com
Connect with Marc:
Website: https://marcpitman.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcapitman/
Connect with Cindy:
Cindy Wagman Coaching: cindywagman.com
Fractional Fundraising Network: fractionalfundraising.co/
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/cindywagman
Connect with Jess:
Out In the Boons: outintheboons.me