This one’s for small business owners. In your clients’ eyes, what do you stand for? What one quality, one outstanding virtue, best defines your work, your output, your services to clients (current and future), whatever the project?

This “one thing” can help guide your marketing plan, your web site message, your proposals, and your professional introductions. It can definitely help you focus as you develop new business.

Use it as part of your unique selling proposition. It will make you memorable. It will help define you, especially if you have tons of competitors.

When I sat myself down to ask this question of myself, I knew right away what it was: I do what I say I’ll do.

Is my writing great? I think so. Am I professional? Absolutely. How about my pricing? Higher than some, lower than others. But can I be counted on to do what I promise to do? Always.

When I think of service providers that I hire, this is also the one quality I assume they all have, even though it’s not always so.

Do you do what you promise? Can your customers count on this?

Regardless of the quality of your work or the affordability of it, being trustworthy and following through matters most to me, the customer. It’s probably why I live by this same quality. And this is the guarantee I’m comfortable giving to clients.

Your turn: What do you stand for? How is it made clear to current and future clients?

(c) 2014 Margie Dana.