One of the biggest challenges we face as entrepreneurs is identifying and communicating our unique value.
What is it that we do that makes us so darn special?
You do good work and you get nice compliments and feedback from your clients and the people you help. But have you ever stopped to really think about that feedback so you can identify how others perceive your unique value?
It’s an extremely valuable exercise that will help you not only pinpoint your unique value, but create some great testimonials and marketing messages.
There are a few ways to approach this. One is to think back about all the nice things your clients have said about you. At what point in the process of working with you did they stop and say, “you’re so good at that”.
Another approach is to review your existing testimonials. Look for the key themes and trends.
A third approach, and probably the most powerful, is to interview some of your favorite clients.
Here are some questions you can ask them:
- What was the biggest challenge you were facing when you chose to hire me?
- Why did you choose to work with me?
- How would you describe the experience of working with me?
- What would you say makes my work special or different from others?
- What words come to mind when you think about your experience working with me?
You can attract your favorite clients, help more people and earn a lot more income. It’s just a matter of knowing how to focus, share and package your passion.
That’s where I come in. We all have great gifts and I want to help you not only discover, but communicate and package yours so that its compelling for your target market.
To do that, I have to use my gifts:
- I have a knack for taking an avalanche of information and ideas, and finding the nugget of gold (that you’re too close to to see)
- I love taking complex ideas and turning them into easy to follow, step-by-step systems.
- I am lucky to have both strong analytical skills and intuition (I always joke that my mom was a psychologist and my dad was an accountant so I can use both the right and left side of my brain:).
- I’m a to the point person who will be honest and upfront with you – what you see is what you get.
- Above all, I care tremendously about your success. I give a lot of myself to my clients and go above and beyond to help you get results.
Great questions Cindy. We’ll often try to evaluate why we got a NO if someone says no to working with us but may overlook the really valuable information in asking why someone choose TO work with us. I love it.
Great post.
Thank you Camara – That’s a great insight. I guess it goes along with the idea of undervaluing with what we bring to the table. Celebrate your strengths!
Thanks for the great thought-provoking questions. Will definitely use them in my next survey. Thanks!
Excellent Cheryl! And try choosing a few of your favorite clients and asking them those questions. Doing it one-on-one will allow you to dig deeper and get some great content for your marketing.
warm wishes,
Cindy
Excellent ideas. This is really difficult for me, so I’ve put this into Evernote to help me work on it. Thank you!
Hi Liz – I know this can be a hard thing to do but it’s so essential, and the truth is, it can be a lot of fun too. Your clients are celebrating and appreciating you – you need to do the same!
warm wishes,
Cindy
Great questions to ask. It’s something I have been chewing over this month – why do people use me? Asking is scary! I have started and the answers aren’t what I expected. I don’t see myself how others see me! It’s a learning and growing experience…
Good for you Jan! I’m excited for you. Thanks for sharing that!
warm wishes,
Cindy