Going back to marketing 101, students are taught to take a product and break it down into Features, Advantages, and Benefits.

Features are the characteristics of the product/service.
Advantages describe what that feature does.
Benefits explain what's in it for the customer.

For example, let's say you were selling a waterproof tent.
Feature: Our canvas tent is coated in our patented "Never-get-wetium" coating.
Advantages: "Never-get-wetium" prevents water from seeping through the seams of the tent.
Benefits: Wake up warm and dry even in torrential downpours.

I know, it's a VERY simple example but I wanted to have a little fun with it.

Ok, so thinking about our industry, what would you say are the features, advantages and benefits of our businesses?

Put your thinking cap on and let's talk....
Barbara.

I love your example! In fact - you may want to copyright that!

As I think about this just with my little pea brain I have to tell ya that I can't come up with anything that's new or innovative, other than what is commonly out there. So many of us seem to specialize.

If we try to just list what we have as individuals we would likely cross over into self-promotion which isn't allowed. So I'm no help.

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!

Ok I'm gonna try this without any selfpromotion:

Feature:Virtual Assistants provide "big business" office services to smaller online businesses

Advantages:"Big Business" service without the "big business" price

Benefits: Peace of mind, less stress, more time for building your business

How's that? generic enough, lol

~C

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~Christina|BD Mag|VOSTeam

It is definitely generic - and good!

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!

Yeah Christina, that's generic enough and is exactly how I hoped people would respond.

I was thinking about the F.A.B.s that are common to all of us in this industry.

For example:

Feature: We are virtual
Advantage: We work from our own offices
Benefit: You (client) don't have to provide an office space for staff.

Let's think of some more!
Barbara.

Hope I've got the right idea...
Feature: Pay as you go admin support
Advantage: You only pay for the time you use
Benefit: Cost saving

Yep, that's the right idea!
Keep 'em coming!

Originally Posted by valueaddvs

Hope I've got the right idea... Feature: Pay as you go admin support Advantage: You only pay for the time you use Benefit: Cost saving

Originally Posted by valueaddvs
Hope I've got the right idea...
Feature: Pay as you go admin support
Advantage: You only pay for the time you use
Benefit: Cost saving

I really like this! Its very simple, yet direct and to the point!!!
May I have permission to put this on my blog site! Thanks so much : )

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Tina Thelen
Virtual Office Assistant

Good stuff- I love marketing and often go back to Marketing 101 concepts. Clients want and need to know the FAB for their business. That is like sending a resume full of personality and your characteristics versus one full of project accomplishments. Big difference.

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Feature: My office not yours
Advantage: No overhead expense
Benefit: Cost Saving

Does that work?

Rhonda

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Rhonda Holscher, Owner
Rhonda's Virtual Office - Hire a Virtual Assistant