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Synopsis
This episode is a rebroadcast of Episode 173.
What do you say when someone asks you what you do? You need to be prepared, and you need to have something quick and interesting. You need a Unique Selling Proposition.
Don’t just say “I’m a consultant.” Say “I work with small businesses to help them attract more clients than anyone could possibly handle.”
The Referral Institute’s USP is “We help people work less, make more, and create referrals for life.”
The natural response to a USP like this is to say “How do you do that?”
Your assignment this week is to come up with a USP for your business and share it here in the comments. Then share it with your BNI chapter.
Once you’ve tested your USP, come back and tell us how it worked and whether you changed it for a better effect.
Read the complete transcript on Episode 173.
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23 Comments On This Post
Did I listen to 227 podcast in 2 months !?
YES, I did !
Dear Dr. Misner, I just started my agricultural journey in BNI.
I joined on August this year a great chapter called A-Rishonim in Rishon LeTzion Israel.
On my MSP training which was very educational, they introduced us to this wonderful podcasts.
We got a short list of recommended old podcasts and a strong suggestion to listen to them weekly.
This few recommended podcasts, made me decide to listen to the all !
So in the last couple of months, I listen to all of the 227 podcasts and I just wanted to thank you.
I really feel, that listing to all this podcasts teach me a lot and help me became a better BNI member.
Some of the suggestions I am sure to use in the future, but some of them I already using in my day to day networking.
A few examples from things I learned in the podcast that I use:
(1) I added to my Email signature a note, mentioned that I know lots of great service providers that I will love to referred. I listed all of my chapter member’s services and products.
(2) My 1 to 1 meetings are more efficient in many ways; I found myself more easily making refers after meeting someone.
(3) It became easier to bring visitors to our chapter meetings.
In conclusion, It seems that now that I can listened only to one new podcast a week, I need to find a new hobby :-).
Thank you Dr. Misner for the great podcasts and also to Priscilla.
Instead of saying Im a Sales Consultant for Kenny Kent Chevrolet. I usually describe myself, “I am a product specialist not just explaining the features of a vehicle but how they benefit you.”
Itzik, you listened to ALL the podcasts in the last two months! I’m impressed!!!!
Thanks for your message. It made my day.
Ivan
Hello Dr. Misner,
I just listened to the podcast #227 a replay of the “What are the first words out of your mouth?” I wanted to post my USP that i use to see if you had any feed back.
“I’m with Legal Shield a unique service, and priceless benefit. Legal Shield gives you the ability to talk to an attorney on any matter no matter how traumatic or trivial, without worrying about the high hourly costs.”
Regards,
Dan Willett
Dr. Misner,
I just listened to podcast #227, What Are the First Words Out of Your Mouth? Although I felt confident in my USP, I believe I should work harder to become more specific. This is what I normally say to others when asked what I do:
I am a Florida Registered Paralegal with the Anton Legal Group where we focus on family law matters.
One of my goals today is to ‘beef’ up my USP and WOW my Profit Pro Chapter members on Tuesday morning with a renewed vision of who I am.
Stacey
Hi Dr Misner,
Just listened to #227 and my USP is:
I get your life back on track when you have been derailed by an auto accident.
Thanks for any input!
Linda Weil
Hi Ivan,
Great idea to rebroadcast this information- it’s awesome stuff! I recently had the opportunity to do a training for a local Chamber Of Commerce and talked about USPs- it went over well. Having an effective USP is very beneficial. Ever meet a realtor who, when asked abut their business, says: “I’m a realtor” (and nothing else)? Yikes! Kick it up a notch with a great USP!
Shawn McCarthy
Mine is: I train businesspeople how to become more focused, organized, and productive than they have ever been in their lives.
Hi Ivan,
Thanks for the great podcast. Really thought provoking. I have been using the following statement till now:
I produce market research, workshops and conferences in mobile and digital domains and consult/ train clients based on our research findings.
After listening to the podcast, I think it can be:
I work with businesses, to enable them to be more visible, be known as thought leaders in their industry and generate more business in the process.
Kindly advise, if the above statement strikes you or if I can make it better.
Thanks and best regards.
Vishal (Wish)
This was a great topic. I think a good USP is vital to your networking activity as you only may have a few seconds to be memorable to someone.
It is important that your USP tells a person specifically how you can help or benefit them. I think Linda Weil hit the nail on the head with her USP
For years I have been introducing myself by saying,”you are my show and tell”. The usual response I get is “what does that mean?” I’ve gotten only one job directly from that.
Lately I’ve been finishing my Sales Manager Moment with ” applying creativity to visibility”
After listening to the podcast I realize it needs a more obvious selling point. So the piece I’m looking for is “so that…”
“I apply creativity to visibility so that everybody in the world can see how great you are.”
Needs work.
Homework:
What do you do?
I help online businesses, online-heavy businesses, and independent coaches and consultants implement consistent marketing and daily operational processes to free up their time, increase profits, and achieve a better work/life balance.
Great podcast!
My USP- “We help home and business owners find the peace of mind after its lost.” As a Disaster Restoration company we help them rebuild after disasters, either natural or man made.
Please let me know if it needs help.
My USP
Creating software that solves real needs in real time for real people.
I beat up on car dealers!
What do you do?……..I save my customers from the need to worry about lightning damage to any of their appliances, computers or electronics. Sounds a bit too wordy to me.
Ima new business owner and member to bni I thank you for the podcasts it helps me to do one thing I like to be different my business is attention 2 detail window cleaning I hope I’m in the right path here with this my USP: we do windows the European way
Feel free to leave input on it I can use all the help I can get thanks
I help people to get rid of all the unwanted kreepy crawlies from their homes or businesses.
After morning rituals and a motivational theme song, I listen toat least 1 podcast a day. Now isntead of just saying “I’m a health coach” I am testing out “I help people eat more often, weight less and live longer healthier lives.” Please let me know if you have any suggestions! Thank you http://www.FightFat.TSFL.com
Good Morning,
Jumping on the USP a little late, just listened to the podcast and hope I can still get Dr. Misner’s opinion! My USP: I help people regain focus, self worth and control of their lives through a foundation built on nutrition and exercise.”
I have two USP’s that I play with. What do you think about having more than one USP?
1)I help entrepreneurs make more money and work less hours by working smarter not harder.
2)I help entrepreneurs work smarter not harder; giving them the freedom to create their ideal life.
How about: I help people work with their insurance company to put their homes back together after a disaster.
Ivan
I would like to get feedback on my USP. We manufacture and install electrical signs. This is what I’ve come up with so far based on one comment from you so if it needs refining please give me some advice. Hadley Sign Solutions “We help businesses electrify THEIR business solution”