There is a concept in business called ‘value first’. It’s exactly what it sounds like, before any business transaction between and buyer and a business, it’s the businesses job to provide value in advance.
If you’ve ever taken a free trial, you’ve experienced value first.
I really like it in business because it’s a no strings chance for all parties to do the thing they all want to do; provide the value and consume it- it’s win win.
It also forces the business to show up as their best; there’s no use giving a free sample that kind of sucks.
This reminds me as well of Steve Martin’s advice to aspiring performers: “Be so good they can’t ignore you”.
He’s talking about value first here. Too often we want to ‘save the goodies’ for paying customers and we lament that ‘if they just gave us a chance, they’d know what I can do!’
Trust me, I’ve had these thoughts as an actor.
I increasingly believe that it’s everyone’s job to do their best, relentlessly and share it for free. And be so damn good they can’t ignore you.
Want to be paid for the thing that you do? Show everyone how great you are at it now. Not so good yet? That’s okay, just keep practicing,
Give value first.
