Entrepreneurs: What's The 🔑 Benefit Provided To Your Clients (That They Deeply Value!)?

Entrepreneurs, let's talk about the core value you offer.

What's the most important aspect of what you do, and who do you do it for? It's crucial to consider this from your customers' perspective, not just the tactical tasks you perform, but the true value those tasks provide.

I recently interviewed Steven Puri, creator of the Suka Company, which helps people focus and avoid distractions. One of his users said the app's greatest value was giving him back three to four hours in the afternoon to spend with his kids.

When you think about the service, app, company, or product you offer, what's the value you provide to your customer from their perspective? What outcome do you create for them?

Understanding Your Value Proposition

Several years ago, I built a website for a client. While many can build Joomla and WordPress websites inexpensively, this client hired me, paying a premium. He told me, "I'm paying more to work with you because you get stuff done. You make stuff happen. I know when I give it to you, you're reliable, and it will be high quality and do what you say it will do."

My reliability and quality of work are key reasons people hire me.

Why do your clients hire you?

What reasons do they give?

I often see myself as a contract co-founder for the entrepreneurs and business owners I work with. They hire me to come into their business and help amplify what they're doing to drive better results. This requires an entrepreneurial mindset, which is distinct from an employee mindset. An entrepreneur proactively solves problems and moves things forward.

The Importance of Trust and Dependability

Trust is a huge component of this value. If there's no trust, you can't empower someone to make things happen. I strive to build trust by explicitly communicating what I'm doing, what I've done, and what I plan to do. While I may not always be perfect, I learn from mistakes and rectify them. This builds trust.

For example, a few years ago, HubSpot recommended that a company work with me. They had hired a freelancer for their HubSpot website, but the freelancer disappeared for months, leaving them stuck on a massive project. HubSpot recommended me, and we completed that massive project.

Peace of Mind and Strategic Partnership

Another client, a business owner, wants to focus on growing her business, not on operational tasks, especially in marketing. She delegates marketing responsibilities and authority to me, allowing me to work with other freelancers to develop her marketing department, build systems, and ultimately grow her business. I provide peace of mind and alleviate the stress associated with marketing.

My journey as a business owner and marketing agency owner for seven years is where I struggled with sales, operations, and project management. These struggles shaped my approach to freelancing. I wanted to become the reliable contractor and vendor I had often sought for my own business, but struggled to find. This desire to be the solution I needed has been a "secret ingredient" to my success as a freelancer.

Discovering Your Unique Value

This brings us back to the original question: What is the value you provide through your service, app, business, or product? When you ask your customers, what do they say is the most valuable thing you offer?

Sometimes, we provide value that a business doesn't truly appreciate or want, even if it could help them. The sweet spot is a win-win relationship where you offer value that your customers genuinely desire and appreciate. When you find that synergy, you discover who is a good fit for you, and for whom you are a good fit.

Think deeply about the value you provide and the outcome you generate for people. Get to the core, the emotional core of it. As our dog Juniper reminds me, sometimes just showing up is valued.

So, what's that unique value point you offer? Get clear on this value, and you'll see your business grow.