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Smart Packaging: How to Make Your Services Sellable
One of the things that drives me absolutely nuts about packaging services is how overcomplicated people make it. Seriously, why does everything have to be a damn “value ladder” or some fancy sales funnel with 15 steps?
Here’s the truth: more isn’t better, and complexity isn’t clarity. When you’re trying to sell your services, the last thing your clients want is to feel confused.
Today, we’re discussing how to package your services so they’re simple, clear, and—most importantly—sellable.
You’re awesome at what you do and deliver incredible results for your clients, but sometimes it feels like something isn’t clicking when selling your services.
Real talk: 2024 has been seriously challenging for many solo service business owners. What’s always worked….just isn’t working the same way. You may feel like you’re working harder for the same result or like you’re missing something as the market has shifted.
You’re not alone if you’re struggling to sell your services, and that’s exactly why I wanted to dive into packaging your services. It’s time to shake things up and rethink how you present your offerings.
If you’re feeling like it’s time for a change, this episode will help you create packages that resonate with your clients and make selling feel a whole lot easier.
The Packaging Problem
A common trap solo service business owners fall into when packaging their services is the idea that more is better.
Celebrity entrepreneurs have overcomplicated how people approach creating packages thanks to concepts like the “value ladder.” If you’re not familiar with this concept, it’s the idea that you need a series of offers to attract leads, then gradually introduce higher-value, higher-priced offerings.
While this may work for things like courses, it’s advice that’s all wrong for service business owners.
The same goes for teachings about sales funnels, high-ticket vs. low-ticket offers, passive income, and so on, as they add needless confusion and complications that you simply don’t need.
You don’t need a pile of packages. The reality is that too many choices can quickly overwhelm your potential clients.
Remember, clients are coming to you to solve a problem, so they need clarity and simplicity. It’s often more effective to streamline your offerings into just a few well-defined packages. This makes it easier for clients to understand the value of your services and make a decision faster.
Packaging your services is about so much more than listing what you offer; it’s about helping clients understand exactly what they’re getting quickly and clearly.
And if your packages aren’t selling as easily as they should, it’s not because your services aren’t valuable—they’re not being packaged in a way that resonates with your clients.
Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, you should create streamlined, results-driven packages that make it obvious why clients should hire you.
Making Your Services Sellable
Let’s shift gears and discuss how you actually make your services sellable. It’s about way more than simply putting together a list of deliverables.
Simplify Your Options
FACTS: When presented with too many choices, people get overwhelmed and don’t want to figure out which service best meets their needs.
So, keep it simple. Limit your offerings to two or three solid tiers that naturally guide clients toward the right choice for them.
Your clients want a clear path to solving their problems. Your packages should function like a well-curated menu with a limited number of options. (Remember, only some of your offerings need to be front-facing on your website.)
You should have two or three packages or one package with different tiers, such as a basic tier for essential services, a premium tier with more hands-on support, and a VIP tier with all the bells and whistles.
Offering structured packages makes it easier for clients to decide, reducing decision paralysis and speeding up the buying process.
I often see service business owners with way too many services, thinking that will make it more likely that people will buy from them. However, the lack of specificity can be off-putting or overwhelming. It’s hard to be known for something, let alone be seen as an expert, when you’re trying to be everything to everyone.
What Problem Are You Solving?
When it comes to making your services sellable, the most critical question to ask yourself is: What problem are you solving for your clients?
Every successful service package is built around solving a specific problem or pain point that your clients are facing. People don’t buy services—they buy solutions to their problems.
If potential clients don’t understand your services or seem uninterested, it might be because your package doesn’t address a problem they recognize or are willing to pay to solve. Your packages should be created to address a validated market need, not just something you’re interested in doing.
Focus on the Transformation
When creating your package, instead of focusing on the tasks you perform, focus on the transformation.
This is where many service providers get stuck: explaining every little step in the process. But guess what? Your clients care first and foremost about what’s in it for them.
Start your service descriptions with the results. For example, instead of listing deliverables like “five blog posts a month” for a content strategy package, frame it as “a consistent content strategy that builds authority and brings new clients to your website.”
Your clients need to see how your services impact their goals or pain points. Are they getting a website that increases conversions? A marketing plan that boosts visibility and sales? Positioning your services as the bridge between where your clients are now and where they want to be makes it much easier to sell.
Focus on the outcome and use straightforward, benefit-driven language. Don’t bury the client in jargon or processes—clarify what they’re getting and how it will help them.
Articulate Your Process
Articulating your process adds serious value to your business, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
When clients know what you do and how you do it, it instantly builds trust. They see a clear plan behind your services, which gives them peace of mind. Plus, this sets expectations right from the start.
Sharing your method also sets you apart. It shows that you’ve thought through a specific approach to solving their problems, making them feel more involved and confident in the journey.
When clients understand how each step brings them closer to their goals, they’re more likely to consider your services a worthwhile investment.
Pricing and Market Realities
One of the biggest challenges in pricing your services is understanding what clients in your market are willing to pay.
To make your pricing more sellable you need to be in tune with industry standards and client expectations.
Do some research—what are other service providers charging for similar offerings? Knowing where you stand in the market helps you price competitively without underselling yourself.
That’s not to say you can’t charge at the higher end of the market, but if you’re not selling your services at that price point, the market is giving you feedback. Your pricing may need to be refined or your packages completely revamped.
Too often, I see packages that need to be aligned with the value, making them impossible to sell regularly. There’s no point in offering a $10k package if your target client sees it as a $1k problem.
Also, be transparent with your pricing—clients don’t want surprises. The more precise your pricing structure is, the easier it will be for potential clients to justify the investment.
Pricing that fits the market and is clearly explained builds trust and makes it much easier for clients to make a confident decision.
Practical Steps to Make Your Service Packages Sellable
I want to make this episode as actionable as possible, so let’s focus on clear, specific steps you can take to improve how you present your offerings.
Instead of high-level theory, here are practical things you can implement immediately to make your service packages clearer, more appealing, and easier to sell.
Audit Your Current Packages
The first step in making your services more sellable is to audit your existing packages.
Ask yourself:
- Is the problem I’m solving clear to potential clients?
- Does my pricing align with the value I’m providing?
- Are my packages easy for clients to understand without needing further explanation?
- Do my services reflect the market’s expectations regarding pricing and deliverables?
- Am I offering too many options, causing decision paralysis?
Be honest with yourself and note what areas may need refinement or improvements, such as messaging, pricing, or structure.
Tweak Your Messaging and Copy
After auditing your packages, the next step is to tweak your messaging and copy. You need to clearly articulate the transformation your client gets by working with you.
Start by cutting unnecessary details or jargon that may overwhelm potential clients. Use straightforward, benefit-driven language that answers the question: What’s in it for them?
By simplifying your messaging, you help clients see the value and understand why they should invest.
For example, instead of saying, “I’ll provide social media posts for your brand,” say, “I’ll build a social media strategy that increases engagement and drives traffic to your website.”
This way, you’re emphasizing the result clients will experience, not just the tasks you’ll perform.
After refining your messaging and content, review it to ensure:
- Clarity: Is it easy to understand? Can clients quickly grasp the value?
- Client-Focused: Does it speak directly to the problem?
- Consistent: Does it fit with your overall brand and other offers?
- Confident: How does it position you as a trusted expert?
Revisit and Refine: Optimize Your Packages Over Time
Once you’ve updated your packages, it’s important not to set them and forget them. Think about how you’ll measure what’s working (and what’s not). Is it an increase in inquiries, higher conversion rates, or fewer client questions about your offerings?
Tracking these data points will give you insight into what’s working and where further adjustments might be needed. If you’re not hitting those goals, it’s time to refine.
Plus, being willing to refine your services continuously ensures they stay aligned with client needs in an ever-changing market.
Making Your Services Sellable for 2025
In this episode, we’ve covered a lot, from simplifying your service packages to focusing on the transformation you deliver.
The bottom line? Your services are valuable, but they need to be presented in a clear, outcome-focused way which is easy for clients to understand.
As you head into 2025, take the time to audit your current offerings. Assess whether your packages highlight your clients’ desired results and whether your pricing aligns with current market expectations.
Simplify where you need to, refine your messaging, and remember that you don’t need to overwhelm clients with options—just give them clear, compelling reasons to say yes.
I hope this episode has given you some practical ideas to start working on today. Thanks for tuning in, and remember: you don’t need to scale to sell more—you just need to package smarter.
I’m Maggie Patterson (she/her), and services businesses are my business.
I have 20+ years of experience with client services, am a consultant for agency owners, creatives, and consultants, and vocal advocate for humane business practices rooted in empathy, respect, and trust.
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