Weekly newsletter brought to your inbox every Wednesday, by your friends at Elite Blog Academy®—full of valuable insider marketing tips, tricks and inspiration to help you keep pushing forward when the days get long.

FEATURED READS

When should I start hiring help for my business? Who should my first hire be? Am I ready to start building my team? How do I know whether I can afford to hire? And how do I make sure that the person I hire is going to be any good?

These are just a few of the common questions we receive over and over again from the online business owners that we work with.

Because let’s face it—knowing when to hire and who to hire first is confusing at best!

In today’s EBA® blog post, When And How To Start Building Your Team, we’ll share the three steps you can take to identify who to hire and make it happen.

POWER MOVES

Price vs. Value: The Key to Successful Products

There’s a common struggle we see over and over when it comes to creating your product—pricing. It can feel like a high-wire act, right? Too low, and you're leaving money on the table. Too high, and crickets. But there’s a winning number in the middle and it all boils down to understanding the magic of price vs. value.

Price is the sticker shock. It's the number that catches your customer's eye. Value, however, is the real game-changer. It's the perceived worth of your product—the transformation, the solution, the pure awesomeness it brings to their lives.

Think of it like this: you're not selling a weight-loss program, you're selling changes to the body and the confidence that comes with it. Price is the cost of entry, value is the life-changing experience.

So, how do we find that sweet spot where price and value sing in perfect harmony?

1. Know Your Worth (and Your Customer's!)

Before slapping a price tag on, consider the time, effort and expertise you've poured into creating this masterpiece. What problem does it solve? How much better will your customer's life be after using it? Understanding your value proposition is key.

2.  Spy on the Competition (But with Kindness!)

Research similar products in your market. What are their prices? What features do they offer? Use this intel to position your product strategically. Don't just copy, but find your unique value edge.

3.  The Power of Perception

People perceive value differently. Highlight the benefits and transformations your product offers. Use testimonials and case studies to showcase real results. Remember, you're selling more than just a product, you're selling a feeling.

And here’s the biggest secret: Start with value first. 

Focus on the amazing transformation your product delivers. Then, price it competitively while keeping your profit margins healthy. It's all about striking that perfect balance.

Remember, pricing can be adjusted. The key is to launch confidently, gather feedback and iterate based on your customer's response. If you’re planning an upcoming product launch, follow these steps for pricing it and let us know how it goes!

WE’VE GOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT

Follow us on Instagram!

If you’re looking for Instagram and business strategy, you’ll want to follow Ruth’s business-focused Instagram. It’s for serious online business owners, content creators and digital markets who want to go beyond the basics—and the content is SO good!

The Powerhouse Playbook

What was working in the online business world simply isn’t anymore. Our newest free guide will show you what is working, and walk you through the path to implement it in your own business. Discover the next step to take to start getting real results in your business.

MINDSET MATTERS

Why Instant Gratification Doesn’t Pay

We've all been there. You post your newest Instagram Reel, visions of a booming business dance in your head, but... crickets. Views are low, the engagement isn't what you hoped and that instant success you craved feels miles away. Listen up, because here's the truth bomb you need to hear: instant gratification isn’t the ticket to a thriving online business.

Sure, some businesses explode overnight, but those are the outliers. Building a sustainable, profitable business takes time, effort and a whole lot of strategy. It's a marathon, not a sprint. So, when those initial results leave you feeling deflated, don't let the "give up" thoughts creep in. Here's why:

1. Rome wasn't built in a day (and neither is your business): Think of your business like a beautiful garden. You wouldn't expect a rose bush to bloom the second you plant the seed, right?  You nurture it, water it, give it time. The same goes for your business. Focus on consistent effort—creating content, building relationships and refining your approach. Growth takes time, but the rewards are sweeter for the wait.

2. Patience is your secret weapon: The online world is a noisy place. Cutting through the clutter takes strategy and consistent marketing. Don't get discouraged if you don't see a viral explosion right away. Keep putting out valuable content, engaging with your audience and adjusting based on what resonates. Patience shows your audience you're here for the long haul, building trust and loyalty that leads to sales.

3. Celebrate the small wins: The path to success isn't a straight line. There will be bumps, detours and maybe even a wrong turn or two. But focus on celebrating the small victories—a new follower, a new record of views on your Reel, a spike in website traffic. These milestones fuel your motivation and keep you moving forward.

Remember, building a successful business is about the long game. Ditch the instant gratification, embrace the journey and watch your business grow in the process.  

SHE MEANS BUSINESS

This week we want to introduce you to Valorie Kelley of The Poppin’ Peony. She has a business that currently serves local clients but is looking to take her business online so that she is able to scale.

She recently shared the following in our EBA® Powerhouse member Facebook group: 

How awesome is that? And you know what’s even more awesome, her story isn’t entirely unique. 

You see, short form video on Instagram is on fire. And we know that so many people in our community are still a little resistant to jump on the Instagram train, but how would things change for you if three months from now you were seeing results like Valorie. 

Our mission for you today is to get started. Set a goal to post consistently for the next 90 days and see what happens at the end of it! 

Do you want to be featured in a future newsletter, just like Valerie?

If you’re a current or past EBA or Powerhouse student, just click HERE to tell us a little about your business. We’d love to cheer you on and share your story!

MARKETING FUN FACT

Long reads rule. Contrary to popular belief, in-depth articles (over 3,000 words) get 3X more traffic, the perfect reason to dive deep into your niche!