There are many things to consider when creating a killer, unique selling proposition (USP). Ensuring that you and/or your business stand out from the crowd is vital in launching and growing your business. You are either remarkable or invisible as Seth Godin references in his book, The Purple Cow.

A unique selling proposition is the real or perceived benefit that your product or service offers your customer. It’s defined by Entrepreneur as, “The factor or consideration presented by a seller as the reason that one product or service is different from and better than that of the competition.”

Consider these questions and your answers when fashioning your USP:

  • Why will they buy?  Your product or service has to be different and/or better than the competition. Identify the features of your product or service that your competitors missed, take note of anything and everything that can’t easily be imitated, or replicated. This is the reason your target market will buy from you instead of your competition.
  • What do you do that nobody else can do?  You need to be unique, as a purple cow is among a herd of black and white. Make sure you can stand out among the crowd.
  • What value do you bring to your target market?  Are you meeting, hopefully exceeding their needs? What do they value and what do they like about your offering? Research. Ask your target market questions. Make sure you spend a while walking in the shoes of your target market.

Overall you have to be able to answer this question, “What will make my target market stop shopping (elsewhere)?”  It’s about marketing and communicating your USP to the right people, at the right time, and in the right place. You have to take that pulse!

Purple Cow is a must-have in every biz book library. It’s a favorite of Felena Hanson’s! Check out some of her tips to business success, including reading this book to help identify a unique idea. Add it to your library, today!

_________________________________________________________________

Hera LABS is a unique business accelerator for aspiring entrepreneurial women. The program provides female start-ups, in all industries, a safe place to test ideas and grow their business. This is achieved through specialized, Do-It-Yourself, hands-on LABs at Hera Hub (at Hera LABS classroom); making it a one-stop resource for enterprising women to work, connect, and flourish.

The program provides participants with mentoring and resources delivered by accomplished entrepreneurial women in the community. This includes access to experts with industry know-how, labs, tools, and investment capital to efficiently launch and achieve sustainability.