Over two years ago, my customers started asking me for a resource on creating their own websites. They wanted to know how to install WordPress, how to design something they were proud of, and maybe even how to code a little.
I stalled and stalled and stalled.
Until I realized that leveraging this skill of mine was one way to break out of the time-for-money crunch that drags down so many beginning business owners.
So I created my DIY website program.
The first time through it – creating the content, answering support questions, sharing ideas, discovering what I hadn’t anticipated – was extremely difficult. I almost didn’t run the program again. But overwhelming demand buoyed my confidence.
I launched it again and it went much better the second time. By that point 80 people had participated in the program and I started receiving very interesting feedback.
I heard that, while the program taught them all sort of new skills & brought back the thrill of a challenge, it was the fresh way of looking at their businesses that was the true value for them.
You see, in Website Kick Start, I focused on guiding participants through thinking about their business from the customer’s perspective. We spent time considering our websites from the visitor’s point of view. And that made all the difference.
Participants found clarity around their business decisions. They discovered new language to use in spreading their message. They created new ways to serve their customers right on site.
And that’s why people said things like…
This was definitely one of the best investments I made in my business and I love being able to go in and control my site design myself!
– Amy Kozak, jewelry designer
and
The skills to build it has taken up <--this--> much of my learning and the knowledge and new way of thinking about my business has taken up <------------------------this------------------------> much of my learning.
– Kathryn, CloudLoveBaby
In working with hundreds of business owners over the last few years, this has been one of my greatest lessons:
The greatest value you deliver is the solution that’s sitting below the surface of the problem you think you’re solving.
People wanted websites. What they needed was a new perspective on their businesses. They got both.
So the makeover?
This week Kick Start Labs launched Website Kick Start 2.0 (as well as a juicy membership program that’s FREE with purchase). The program was constantly updated during it’s 2 year life — but this time it needed reworked from the ground up.
Despite the success it had, I wanted to hone in on the value the program truly provided. I wanted to make getting the website part even easier and I wanted the business shift to be even more massive.
I know now that the experience of the program will be better for all involved, that the results will be even more massive, and that the program will spread from customer to customer.
That’s a pretty good feeling to have in your business.
What products do you have sitting on the shelf that could use a makeover to hone in on their true value? What products are you dreaming about that may have a deeper value than the surface problem you’re trying to solve?
Stick to your ribs value is your customer’s birthright. Give it to them.
– PS –
Want in on the all new Website Kick Start 2.0? I betcha do. Find out more about how to get a website that works for you and how to get every resource Kick Start Labs creates for a year… FREE: click here.
This was definitely one of the best investments I made in my business and I love being able to go in and control my site design myself!
The skills to build it has taken up <--this--> much of my learning and the knowledge and new way of thinking about my business has taken up <------------------------this------------------------> much of my learning.


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Hone in on the value you truly provide – or why my highest grossing product needed a makeover.: http://t.co/eLUFF0Fh
via @taragentile Hone in on the value you truly provide – or why my highest grossing product needed a makeover.: http://t.co/EvMx65eh
Hone in on the value you truly provide – or why my highest grossing product needed a makeover: http://t.co/IKn9VdPK via @taragentile
Does your best product need a value makeover? Mine did. Here’s the story: http://t.co/nNXl1I0Z
Does your best product need a value makeover? http://t.co/ewIOmtfP – @taragentile did. Here’s the story
The greatest value you deliver is sitting below the surface of the problem you’re solving. http://t.co/osXjAGeL
Why my best money making product needed a makeover – and why yours might too: http://t.co/hPAD2wqQ
Hone in on the value you truly provide http://t.co/6oz45Biv via @taragentile
Hi Tara,
You bring up a fascinating point. So if I am understanding this correctly you are saying that the power of my product lies in the solution I am solving. When I hone in on this solution, then I will truly nail the power of this product. Is this correct?
A while ago I was trying to put together a product but I made the huge mistake of creating without really thinking. I didn’t see it as solving a problem. Rather I simply saw it as a product. Now, I believe that as I continue to write and engage with people the problems that I can solve will naturally reveal themselves. Of course, this assumes that I am constantly keeping my eyes open and doing my best to remain aware of what is around me.
What are your thoughts?
I would love to hear more about your program.