Just Provide Value "Is Useless Advice"
Here’s What Real Online Value Looks Like.
You hear it everywhere!
Every online "guru," every marketing blog, every damn course seems to chant the same mantra: "Just provide value!"
Sounds so smart, so simple.
Like it’s the golden key to unlocking online success, getting followers, making money.
The problem?
On its own, that phrase is bullshit, vague (at best) advice. It’s a cop-out.
Why?
Because hardly anyone bothers to tell you what the hell "value" actually is in the real world, especially when you're trying to build something online that people genuinely give a damn about (and maybe even open their wallets for).
This article does what those gurus don't.
We're going to break down what real online value looks like…
The kind that makes a difference, the kind that builds trust, and yes, the kind that can help you earn a living.
Why "Just Provide Value" Is a Lazy Trap (It’s Vague Nonsense That Gets You Nowhere)
Forget the nonsense!
"Just provide value" is well-intentioned, sure.
But it’s too damn broad to be actionable. It’s like telling someone, "Just be a good cook."
Okay, great. How?
What ingredients? For who? What kind of food? Without specifics, you’re just swimming in confusion.
When you operate on vague advice like "provide value," you end up just throwing content out there, hoping something sticks.
You churn out blog posts, videos, and social media updates, feeling "busy" and "productive," but are you making an impact?
Or are you just adding to the noise? “Throwing sh*t at the wall,” hoping some stick?
Next stop, burnout!
You’re creating tons of "valuable" stuff that nobody asks for, needs, or even sees.
It’s the kind of advice that sounds profound in a 280-character tweet, but when you sit down to do something with it, it’s like trying to build a house without a design.
You need concrete. You need a plan. You need to know what problem you're solving, for whom, and how your "value" will land with them.
What "Real Value" Means (Not More Fluff or Free Ebooks)
If "just provide value" is the trap, what’s the escape route?
It’s understanding that real value isn't about quantity or vague goodwill; it’s about specific, tangible benefits for a specific audience.
Psychologists talk about "perceived value."
What a customer or reader believes something is worth to them based on how well it meets their needs or solves their problems, especially compared to other options.
Here’s what that looks like in the real world:
It Solves a Specific, Painful Problem: People don’t pay for vague "value." They pay (with their time, attention, or money) to make a pain go away. What’s a real, specific, nagging frustration your audience has? What keeps them up at night? What’s blocking their progress? Showing them exactly how to fix that one thing – that’s value. Not another generic "Top 10 Tips" list that scratches the surface.
It Saves Them Time, Effort, or Money (Tangibly): Can you simplify a complicated process that normally takes hours down to minutes? Can your advice help them avoid a costly mistake you (or others) have made? That’s pure gold. Your experience, your systems, your hard-won lessons become their shortcut. That’s high utility, high value.
It Delivers a Clear Transformation or Result: Don't just give information; provide a pathway. Can you clearly show someone how to get from Point A (where they are, frustrated) to Point B (where they want to be, having achieved a specific, desirable outcome)? That clear map, especially if they can't easily figure it out themselves, is the value.
It Offers a Unique, Hard-Won Perspective (Not Rehashed Crap): If you’re just echoing what fifty other blogs and "experts" are saying, where’s your specific value? Often, the most potent value comes from your unique experiences (like my 9 years doing this online stuff, your distinct take, maybe even the screw-ups you learned from (especially the screw ups). That’s something no AI can replicate and no competitor can easily copy. It’s the “how I know this” that makes your advice hit differently.
It's Easy to Understand and Use: Value isn't about how smart you sound using complex jargon; it's about how easily they can understand and apply what you give them to get a real result. Psychologists talk about "cognitive ease" - if your advice is confusing or overwhelming, it's not valuable, no matter how brilliant you think the core idea is. Simple, clear, actionable.
Stop Guessing What People Value: Find Out!
Straight talk: You can’t just sit in front of a computer and decide what’s valuable to others. You have to get out of your head.
Listen Like Your Livelihood Depends On It (Because It Does): Stop broadcasting and start receiving. Pay obsessive attention to the questions people are asking in forums, in comments on your stuff (if you have any yet), on social media in your niche. What are they complaining about? What are their expressed frustrations and pain points? The language they use is a goldmine.
Solve Your Past Problems (The Shortcut to Empathy): What did you desperately need help with a year ago, five years ago, when you were starting out or struggling with something specific? What solution, what piece of advice, what shortcut would you have paid good money for back then? Often, the most powerful value you can offer is the solution you wish you had. That’s how I know what I know about this online game - I spent three years making all the mistakes because I thought it was too hard or I wasn't an expert.
Look at What They Already Open Their Wallets For: Money doesn't lie (usually). What courses, tools, services, or information are people in your target audience already spending money on? This is a massive clue about what they perceive as valuable enough to invest in. Don't copy, but learn from the underlying needs being met.
Real Value vs. Fluff
Still a bit fuzzy? Let's put it side-by-side:
Fluff Example: A generic blog post titled "7 Ways to Be Happier."
Real Value Example: "The No-BS Method I Used to Finally Stop Procrastinating on My Main Goal (And How You Can Implement It in 3 Specific Steps This Week, Even if You're Unmotivated)." See the difference? One is vague and forgettable. The other promises a specific solution to a specific problem, implies a transformation, and feels actionable.
Fluff Example: An Instagram post saying, "Believe in your dreams!"
Real Value Example: A Substack article detailing: "I thought making money online was a scam for years. Here’s the exact mental block that held me back (and probably holds you back too, the specific encounter that shattered it, and the first 3 practical actions I took that started generating actual income." One is a platitude. The other is a relatable story with actionable, experience-based insight.
The Bottom Line: Specificity is King
So, forget the lazy, catch-all mantra of "just provide value." It’s an excuse for not doing the hard thinking required to figure out what specific people actually need, want, or struggle with, and how you, with your unique experiences and skills, can genuinely help them get it.
Real value isn't vague. It’s concrete. It solves a specific problem. It delivers a clear result. It makes someone’s life tangibly easier, better, or clearer. It respects their time and intelligence.
Dig deep. Get specific. Understand the pain. Offer a real solution. That’s how you make your mark.