Posts Tagged ‘packaging’
I don’t often tout a product. Today’s an exception.
I found a really cool little online service this week. ContactMe. This cloud-based service makes it easy for people who find you online to contact you and it helps you manage your follow-up with them, as well. Very nice little app – Check it out on the right side of the page!
I also found another service called “Notebook“.
This little app organizes all kinds of information that I find on websites, in emails, Word documents, etc. in a way that’s very intuitive and extremely easy to use.
Where’s The WOW Factor?
These apps exist because they solve problems. Period. And these apps are . . . FUN!
“Easy and Fun” Beats “Difficult and Complicated”
I’ve given up far more sophisticated CRM software because ‘hard-to-learn’ or ‘difficult to use’ is going to LOSE . . . every time.
Form and Function (Should!) Go Together
Both these apps are GOOD LOOKING, INTUITIVE and SIMPLE. That’s not easy! It takes a lot of thought to create something you can use easily and effectively without thinking about it.
Attitude
In the ContactMe blog there’s a post where they introduced an innovative change in their service. They wrote, “You Asked. We Listened. We Delivered”. That reflects their attitude of CARING for the relationships that make their business successful. Do that for your business. It is a beautiful thing to see.
KEY POINT:
Demonstrating you CARE about what matters to your client . . . is a competitive edge
iTunes App Store reveals that ‘free’ games are generating the majority of new revenues from the ‘Top 100″ money-makers.
But It Doesn’t Make Sense
No, it doesn’t. At first glance. After all, if you’re giving something away without charge . . . how can you generate revenues and make a profit at the same time?
It’s called ‘SAMPLING’. And it’s one of the oldest and best promotional tactics you can use to market your products or services.
Services Benefit The Most From Sampling
An intangible service is difficult to assess — until AFTER you’ve used it. But that requires a purchase. And therein lies a problem. You can’t tell if a service is good unless you buy it. But you aren’t likely to buy it if you can’t tell that it’s going to be good. And THAT . . . is why a small sample of your problem-solving expertise or ability is smart to offer — it’s unique, valuable and differentiates you quite nicely!
KEY POINT:
FREE! . . . isn’t a dirty word . . . IF . . . you apply it wisely!
If you’re providing an intangible service, odds are the real benefit of your services will not be enjoyed by your client until some time has passed. You’re not selling ice cream cones that a client can buy and consume immediately.
That’s a problem. Why? Because it forces your prospective client to DELAY GRATIFICATION. That’s not fun to do. When people pay their money, they want their ‘ice cream’ … NOW!
It’s The Package
So what can you offer a prospect today that seems ‘real’ — even though you can’t deliver the real goods until some time in the future? Simple. A package. This is just a BUNDLE of your services that suggest the benefit your prospective client wants is likely to be enjoyed.
For example, we helped one client create a series of ‘packages’ that she describes in a one page format and each one addresses specific PAINS her target clients want to solve. The mere fact that she has a package for a prospect’s problem communicates that she understands her prospect’s problem. Her package also communicates that, while you may have to delay gratification, you’re more likely to enjoy it if you hire her than if you work with some other consultant who just says, “Yeah, trust me . . . we can help you”.
KEY POINT:
Packages make it easier to buy — and sell — your intangible services!
