Why Value Perception Matters More Than Priced Features
Meaning beats mechanics. Identity drives loyalty.
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Introduction
Let’s simplify this.
Commodities sell services.
Creators sell significance.
And that difference decides who competes on price and who becomes irreplaceable.
What commodities actually sell
A commodity solves a function.
You buy it because it works.
You replace it because something cheaper also works.
There is no emotional bond.
Only utility.
When you sell services like a commodity, the market rewards the lowest price.
Why service-based businesses feel stuck
If your customer asks only one question, you are selling a commodity.
“Is this cheaper elsewhere?”
That question means your work is interchangeable.
Not bad.
But fragile.
What creators really sell
Creators do not sell outputs.
They sell meaning.
They sell:
- values
- identity
- belonging
- participation
The product becomes a symbol.
That is selling significance.
Why significance changes value perception
When significance enters the picture, logic steps back.
People stop comparing features.
They stop bargaining aggressively.
They start asking:
“Is this aligned with who I am?”
That is value perception shifting.
Utility is replaceable. Identity is not
You can replace:
- a product
- a process
- a service provider
You cannot replace how something makes you feel about yourself.
That is the moat.
A simple everyday contrast
Generic incense does one job.
It smells pleasant.
It serves a ritual.
That is utility.
Now watch what happens when meaning enters.
How significance is created in the real world
Phool.co does not sell incense alone.
It sells participation.
When you light their incense, you are not just praying.
You are:
- contributing to cleaning the Ganges
- supporting circular economy practices
- aligning daily rituals with environmental responsibility
The scent becomes secondary.
The story becomes primary.
Why people pay more without resistance
No one buys that product thinking:
“This is the cheapest incense.”
They think:
“This represents what I stand for.”
That is selling significance.
Price becomes a footnote.
Why creators outgrow service providers
Service providers ask:
“What does the customer need?”
Creators ask:
“Who does the customer want to become?”
That single shift changes everything.
Services solve problems.
Significance shapes identity.
How this applies to you directly
If your work feels commoditized, ask yourself:
- Am I selling output or meaning?
- Am I solving a task or reinforcing identity?
- Does my audience feel seen or just serviced?
Your answers reveal your positioning.
Why content is the gateway to significance
Significance is communicated before it is purchased.
Through:
- values
- context
- philosophy
- storytelling
That is why creators win online.
They do not pitch first.
They resonate first.
The hidden cost of selling only services
When you sell only services:
- loyalty weakens
- burnout increases
- margins compress
Because nothing ties the customer emotionally.
They leave when convenience changes.
What selling significance demands from you
This is the uncomfortable part.
You must stand for something.
Neutral brands stay invisible.
Generic positioning stays forgettable.
Significance requires conviction.
When you sell significance:
- trust compounds
- community forms
- word-of-mouth accelerates
You stop chasing attention.
Attention starts following you.
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Prompt used to create the image for the note
P.S.: Image made on Meta AI using the prompt, “Create an image of a realistic 16:9 image of a person performing a daily ritual with intention, such as lighting incense in a calm, meaningful setting. Warm lighting. Focused expression. No text or logos.”