The difference between "advisor" and "consultant"

A few people have asked me why I often use the term “advisor” instead of “consultant” (the more common term).

I do it because a lot of freelancers and agency professionals call themselves consultants, but they really do consultative execution work.

And that’s totally fine by me! I often use both terms interchangeably.

But when I use the term “advisor”, I do it to specify people who sell advice—not execution withadvice.

Both terms work. And “advisor” can be confused with other things, too. No word comes without baggage.

I just prefer the more nuanced term because it better reflects the type of work I help people sell: advisory work.

The more precise your words, the more precisely your meaning can be conveyed.