Value Proposition Examples for Consultants and Coaches

Need a consulting value proposition or coaching value proposition that clearly explains what you do as a consultant or coach and why it matters – and resonates with leaders and high-achieving professionals – but not sure how?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

This is one of the biggest struggles ALL clients that I work with in my brand messaging and positioning programs face – both new and seasoned consultants and coaches alike.

Why Most Consultants and Coaches Struggle with Their Value Proposition

For example:

• Heather was a new consultant who always dreamed of having her own business and knew she had a unique combination of skills and experience to bring to clients – but had no idea how to think about packaging it and getting it to market.
• Katie, despite years of tremendous success, had a hard time putting into words the value she created, which became especially acute when she shifted focus from individuals to organizations.

Can you relate?

If so, the struggle is real. Without this clarity:

• It’s almost impossible to get the full traction you want with your business.
• You avoid networking because the blank stares you get when you try to explain what you do are just too much.
• You can’t get your website done because your copywriting is blocked.

And all of this is compounded when your ideal clients are leaders and high-achieving professionals – who, let’s face it, can be pretty intimidating. They’re not the most patient when you fumble around for the right words or overuse industry jargon and lingo.

Related: 7 Reasons Why Your Clients Aren't "Getting It" When You Write and Talk About What You Do

How to Create a Value Proposition That Resonates with Leaders

It’s time to get you out of your messaging rut by giving you value proposition examples and templates that provide scaffolding and structure so you can describe what you do with clarity, confidence, and credibility.

What Is a Value Proposition?

A value proposition for leaders and high-achieving professionals isn’t a description of what you do – it’s about the value your clients get as a result of working with you.

Your goal isn’t to prove how valuable your methodology is. It’s about how working with you converts your ideal client’s problems into remarkable results.

Example:

• Weak: “My 4-part framework will help you lead with presence.” (Means nothing to an executive or HR leader.)
• Strong: “I help small business leaders scale into thriving enterprises by helping them hire and develop their first team of managers.”

Your value proposition can also be called your brand promise or unique selling proposition for consultants and coaches. It should clearly communicate:

• Who your ideal client is
• The problem you help them solve
• The unique results they get from working with you

The Networking Event Value Proposition Template (aka the “What I Do” Script)

As part of my brand messaging for consultants and coaches, I help clients craft AND practice an engaging networking script that:

• Gets people to lean in and want to learn more
• Inspires the right clients to say, “Where have you been? I need you!”

The Script:

1. SO YOU KNOW WHEN... When someone asks you “what do you do,” you start off by saying “So you know when...” and then you fill in a narrative about your ideal client and the problem they struggle with.
2. WHAT I DO IS... Instead of sharing your title or credentials, you paint a picture of what you help your clients do.
3. WHICH LEADS TO... End strong by sharing the tangible and intangible value your clients receive by virtue of working with you.

Here’s some examples:

• “So, you know when really smart people hit the top and wonder what it was all for… What I do is help them transition out of soul-sucking jobs and create a career and life they love.”
• “So, you know when companies are growing and the wheels start falling off… What I do is align senior teams around agreed strategic priorities so they grow smarter, not harder.”
• “So, you know when ambitious women want to get to the next level in sports and hit invisible barriers? What I do is help them break through and land their dream job.”
• “So, you know when HR leaders see a change coming and can’t get the team onboard? What I do is give them the keys to the C-Suite so they have a voice that’s heard.” 

Your turn:

• What could you say to paint a picture of who you help and the problem you solve?
• What could you say to describe what you uniquely help your clients do?
• What could you say that showcases the powerful you create?

Pro tip – The best thing about the networking “what I do” script is that it’s flexible, you can adapt it to the person you’re talking to real time. You know it’s on point when you get a lot of head nods. You know it’s not on point when you get blank stares and empty “good luck with that” responses. Use that data to refine your script in the moment and next time you’re networking, and someone asks you what you do.

Written Value Proposition Examples and Templates for Consultants and Coaches

Your written value proposition is what you use on your website, LinkedIn profile, bios and more. There is no one perfect formula for a value proposition so try out a few. For each format, brainstorm at least 5 alternative value propositions. Remember - no editing or judging in brainstorming! After brainstorming, assess your propositions. Ask other people (especially potential clients.)

Template 1: I help [IDEAL CLIENT] to [ACHIEVE/CREATE] by [SOLUTION]

• I help smart people who want a promotion but aren’t getting noticed land their dream job by improving their leadership effectiveness, results, and reputation.
• I help visionary small business owners accelerate their big goals by improving focus and execution on their most profitable strategic ideas.
• We help operational executives lead their companies to market leadership by turning production challenges into growth opportunities.

Template 2: Helping [IDEAL CLIENT] to [DO WHAT THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE WHAT THEY WANT]

• Helping visionary leaders turn business ideas into profitable reality.
• Helping struggling entrepreneurs get into their business and profit flow.
• Helping ambitious leaders and companies dominate the market.

Template 3: For [IDEAL CLIENT] who want/need to [ACHIEVE/CREATE]

• For ambitious leaders who want their company to be #1.
• For burnt-out executives who want to grow their own profitable businesses.
• For visionary leaders who need structure, stat!

Template 4: For [IDEAL CLIENT] who’s tired of/doesn’t want/can’t stand [ALTERNATIVE]

• For ambitious leaders who are tired of rocky roads and false starts to growth.
• For new entrepreneurs who don’t want to deal with tech.
• For visionary leaders who don’t believe inspiration alone will get them to the finish line. 

Your turn:

• Use the value proposition templates to brainstorm as many options as possible
• You can ask Chat GPT to help you. Make sure you tell Chat GPT that he’s a conversion copywriter, give him the prompts and all the details about your ideal client, problem you solve, goal you help them achieve and the value of working with you. If you don’t have that information – you’re not going to get the right results. So, if you’re brand positioning isn’t clear yet – don’t waste your time on your value proposition.

Pro Tip – clear over clever wins, every time!

❌ I work with my clients to transform fear and self-limiting beliefs so they can release their power and unlock their authenticity.

✅ I help high-achieving coaches to get out of the subcontracting trap and build a business that leads to sustainable and scalable impact and income.

❌ My consulting services are designed to help you optimize your internal operation and use technology to enhance patient care.

✅ I’ll help your nursing team get their admin tasks done faster so that they can provide better care for your patients!

✅ Tired of cumbersome admin tasks that keep your nurses at their stations and away from caring for patients? Let’s turn this around!

❌ My coaching services are designed to help you enhance your reputation and improve your individual, team and organizational performance so that you can better compete for future career opportunities in your company.

✅ I’ll help you land your dream job!

How to Create Your Value Proposition Now

1. Just get started brainstorming – remember progress over perfection. You can also grab my messaging template to help you work on your foundational brand positioning. Go to: betsyjordyn.com/downloads to get it.
2. If you’re stuck, ask people you got amazing results for this one question: “What value or outcome did you get from working with me?” And swipe their words
3. And if you’re having a hard time getting started because you’re not quite sure who your ideal client is, what problem you solve and what you do as a consultant or coach that is unique and valuable – let me help you with that. Request a discovery call with me so we can figure out how I can help you streamline your path to brand clarity, persuasive messaging and paying clients.