Selling versus Adding Value
The phrase “I don’t sell, I add value” has become a popular badge of authenticity in today’s business culture. It sounds noble—and in principle, it is. Yet, if we pause for a moment, we have to ask an important question: How do you know what’s truly valuable to someone until you know them? Many of us use “adding value” as a catch-all phrase to share tips, give away content, or offer discounts. But here’s the problem: what’s valuable to you isn’t always beneficial to your audience . A motivational quote might inspire one person and mean nothing to another. A time-saving tool might thrill a manager but frustrate a creative who prefers customization over efficiency. When we assume what others value, we slip back into a self-centered mindset disguised as generosity. We may still be “selling”—just wrapped in a different package. True Value Begins with a Relationship To really add value, we must first establish a relationship. That starts with curiosity . Ask questions. Listen deep...