As a business growth strategist or digital marketing expert in the Philippines, you create custom solutions for your clients. You understand their challenges and work hard to develop strategies that help them grow. But have you considered shifting your perspective on the services you offer? What if, instead of selling your skills as services, you began positioning yourself as someone who delivers measurable results?
In Donald Miller’s Business Made Simple, he explains why you should view yourself as an economic product. This is better than just seeing yourself as a service provider. When you view your skills and knowledge as products, you can effectively meet market needs. This approach increases your value to clients and helps them reach their business goals.
Let's examine how this shift in perspective can enhance your business. It can help you become a top expert and greatly increase your market value.
Understanding Your Value in the Marketplace
To become a valuable product in the market, start by understanding what clients and stakeholders want. They want results. They aren't paying for your time, effort, or processes but for the outcomes you provide. Your value comes from the results you achieve.
This applies whether you offer digital marketing, UX/UI design, or business consulting.
Shifting from Service to Result-Oriented Thinking
You can focus on providing real value when you see yourself as an economic product. This is better than just offering a service.
This change is crucial in competitive fields like digital marketing, branding, and UX/UI design. In these areas, results matter more than processes.
Let’s say you provide digital marketing services to mid-sized businesses in the Philippines. Instead of selling SEO or content marketing as isolated services, think about the end goals of your clients.
Do they want to increase production, improve brand visibility, or boost customer engagement and sales? Your role is to deliver these specific outcomes, not just the means to get there.
Ask yourself:
- What business problems do I solve for my clients?
- How do my solutions impact their bottom line?
- What measurable results have I consistently delivered?
Answering these questions will help you better understand and articulate your value to prospective clients. Instead of just providing a service, you will position yourself as a strategic consultant. You will be a key part of your client's success.
Crafting a Powerful Value Proposition
Now that you understand the importance of delivering results, the next step is to craft a compelling value proposition. This is the cornerstone of your personal or business brand and defines why a client should choose you over a competitor.
Not just about listing your services. Showing the results you can provide is essential. You must also explain why those results matter to your client's business.
For example, if you specialize in digital transformation for companies in the Philippines, your value proposition might be:
"I help Filipino businesses modernize their operations and improve their user experience through data-driven digital strategies that deliver measurable growth."
This value proposition doesn’t just describe what you do—it clearly communicates the results clients can expect. It positions you as a solution provider, which is far more powerful than simply offering a list of services.
Key Components of a Strong Value Proposition
To craft a strong value proposition, focus on the following elements:
- Focus on Results: What tangible outcomes do you provide? Focus your value proposition on key results like higher conversions, better user experiences, and stronger brand recognition.
- Tailor it for Your Market: Each market has unique challenges. If you work in the Philippines, think about local supply chain issues, market conditions, and consumer behavior trends. Showing that you understand these nuances sets you apart from competitors.
- Emphasize Your Uniqueness: Why should clients choose you? Show what makes your approach unique. This could be your use of data, local knowledge, or skill in applying global best practices.
A well-crafted value proposition helps potential clients quickly see the benefits of working with you. It demonstrates your expertise and reassures them that you are the right person to solve their specific business challenges.
Positioning Yourself in the Marketplace
In competitive fields like digital marketing or business consulting, being skilled is not enough. You need to demonstrate that you are the optimal selection. This is where market positioning comes into play.
Positioning yourself well means showing your unique value and proving you can solve specific problems better than anyone else.
Combine Local and Global Expertise
You know the local market well if you are a digital marketing expert or a UX/UI designer in the Philippines. You know the cultural and business nuances that affect consumer behavior. But to truly set yourself apart, you must blend this local expertise with global best practices.
For example, if you work with Filipino businesses, you know they face unique challenges. These include slow internet speeds and different online shopping habits compared to other markets. You provide a service that few can match by using your local knowledge and modern global strategies.
Here’s how to think about your unique positioning:
- Can you implement data-driven digital marketing strategies that improve ROI while accounting for local market challenges?
- Can you help businesses improve their customer experience? Use UX/UI best practices that fit the Filipino market.
- Do you offer solutions that help your clients stay competitive both locally and globally?
By showing that you are a local expert with a global perspective, you become a top choice for businesses. They want to grow in a competitive and changing market.
Communicating Your Value with Confidence
After you create a strong value proposition and establish your place in the market, there’s one more important step. You need to confidently share your value with potential clients. Many professionals struggle with this. They have the skills and the results but struggle to communicate their worth effectively.
If you’ve helped a business improve its online sales or boost user engagement, you must share those successes. Potential clients are likelier to engage with your services when they see specific, measurable outcomes.
Use Specific Examples
Instead of saying, "I helped a client with digital marketing," be more precise. For example:
"I developed a comprehensive digital marketing strategy for a client that increased their online sales by 30% in just three months."
Sharing concrete results not only builds trust with prospective clients but also positions you as an expert who delivers. This is crucial in competitive fields like digital marketing or UX design. Trust and credibility are key to getting valuable contracts.
Consistently Improve and Grow
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, simply being proficient isn’t enough. You must continuously strive to improve and adapt to changing market conditions. Just like products need regular updates to stay competitive, you must invest in ongoing learning and skill development.
Stay Ahead of Industry Trends
For example, as data-driven digital marketing becomes increasingly critical, being proficient in analytics tools is essential. Learning to track key metrics is important. These metrics include conversion rates, user behavior, and customer lifetime value. By mastering these, you will become a valuable partner to your clients.
Track Your Results
Another key part of maintaining your competitive edge is consistently tracking the impact of your work. If you're not already doing so, start gathering case studies or client feedback. This helps you improve your portfolio. As you gain more success, it also allows you to charge higher prices for your services.
Aligning with Short- and Long-Term Business Goals
To think like an economic product, focus on your clients' needs. Make sure your services provide quick benefits and support their long-term success. Many businesses aim for quick gains, such as boosting website traffic or running a single marketing campaign. You should show them how your services lead to lasting growth.
For example, if you help a business with branding today, show how your work supports their long-term goals. These goals include customer retention, brand loyalty, and growing their business. You can stand out from your competitors by demonstrating that you can achieve both quick and lasting results. Many competitors only focus on short-term solutions.
Think Like a Product—Maximize Your Value
Shifting from a service provider to an economic product is about maximizing your value in the marketplace. By showing how your services solve specific business problems, you boost your market value. This also helps you stand out as a leader in your industry.
This change in mindset is crucial for business growth strategists and digital marketing experts in the Philippines. The market there is dynamic and fiercely competitive. Start by clarifying the pain points you solve, confidently communicate your value proposition, and commit to continuous improvement.
The results will speak for themselves—and so will your clients.