This is Day 9 of 31 Days to Start a Freelancing Business (or Make Yours a Better One). Click hereto read Day 1.

Today’s task is meant to make you shine: today you’re going to write your Unique Selling Proposition.

I’ve already written in more detail about this a few weeks ago. You can read all about it here. I just want to reiterate that you need a USP to give your prospective clients a reason to hire you and not your competitors, including those who may be charging less than you are.

I also co-hosted a webinar with Sharon McMillan about this topic. If you want to access the recording of that webinar, click here to sign up for The Savvy Freelancing Webinars. Don’t worry, we don’t try to sell you anything.

Watch the webinar if you want to learn:

• why you need a USP
• the four elements to crafting your USP
• how and where to use your USP online and offline

Here’s the link to sign up for the webinar again.

I also suggest that you read Sonia Simone’s post about branding. It isn’t about USP per se, but if you substitute “USP” for “branding,” it makes so much sense.

As an added help for today’s task, here are some examples of USP I’ve seen in freelancer’s sites:

• Virtual Assistant: Your Multimedia Timesaver
• Copywriter: Your $Ka-Ching!$ Marketing Strategist
• Designer & Copywriter: On-Target Web Design & Copywriting to Help You Hit the Bulls-eye of Success
• Copywriter & Internet Marketing Strategist: The Mozart of Direct Marketing
• Virtual Assistant: Girl Friday Online

These aren’t necessarily the best USPs out there. However, they do give you an idea of what a USP is and how you can use it to brand yourself and your services.

Put some effort into your USP, because it’ll work hard for you. It has to be short and catchy, yet communicate effectively with your prospect.

Inspired? Get going and share your insights in the comments below.

Lexi

photo credit: Space Ritual

photo credit: gfpeck

One of the questions I ask clients when I’m creating a marketing plan or copy for them is, “What’s your product’s USP?” (In case you don’t know, USP stands for “unique selling proposition”)

What sets your product apart from your competitors? Why should customers buy from you and not the next competitor?

If you’re a freelancer, your service is a product. And to market your service effectively, you need a USP as well.

Why Do Freelancers Need A USP?

Your USP makes you stand out from your competition. It’s what makes a client hire you and not the cheaper writer, designer, VA or other service provider.

In fact, entrepreneurs say that when you have an effective USP, you annihilate competition altogether. After all, if you’re truly unique, then there’s only one you. You’re the only one who can possibly deliver what the client wants.

And therefore, you can dictate your price and they’ll still buy.

As one of my favorite freelancing bloggers, Laura Spencer of FreelanceFolder.com, said:

It’s more important now than ever to differentiate your freelancing business from other freelancing businesses. Differentiating your business is the key to winning clients from competitors.

What Goes In a Freelancer’s USP?

I consider my USP to be the intersection of what my target clients want and what I am able to provide. It’s where the market’s demand and the services I offer meet.

I didn’t really craft a USP when I began freelancing, in the same way that I didn’t have a clear idea of who my ideal clients were (shocking, I know). But as I formed a clearer idea of whom I wanted to work with, and gained more confidence in what I have to offer, my USP took on a clearer form.

A USP is often made up of many factors. For freelancers, a USP should include (Note: The examples are purely imaginary and the result of caffeine, not based on real life):

• your experience or story (“I have 12 years of project management experience”)
• your service (“I can write your eBook AND create the ecover as well”)
• your work ethic (“Done in 24 hours”)
• your offer (“Your sales page will have a 5% conversion rate or I’ll give your money back”)

My USP is still a work in progress. I’m continually refining, reinventing and polishing my USP.

And just in case you happen to also be a copywriter, no, I’m not sharing my USP here

What About You?

But do tell: Do YOU have a USP? If so, how did you come up with it? What elements did you take into consideration to determine what makes you unique. And, most importantly, has your USP been working for you?

PS: We’re talking about how to craft your USP in the next cost-free, pitch-free Savvy Freelancer webinar on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 9 PM (EST). If you’re interested, sign up here: