Turning a service into a product: Underrated business model
Underrated business model:
Turning a service into a product.
It helps solve the issue of scaling for:
• Agencies
• Freelancers
• Solopreneurs
Here’s how a "productized service" works:
First, let's talk about the trap most consultants & contractors fall into:
Trading hours for dollars.
Even at high hourly rates, you're still capped by time. Earn more = work more.
Stop working, and the money stops too.
But there's a better way...
Enter the "Netflix of Services" model:
Instead of hourly billing, you package your expertise into a subscription. Clients pay a fixed monthly fee for access to your skills. Just like Netflix doesn't charge per movie, you don't charge per task.
7 quick examples:
1. DesignJoy
• The service: Design work for $4,995/mo
• The product: Unlimited design requests
The keyword is “unlimited.” Whether a client makes 5 requests a month or 50, the price stays the same.
So, what's the catch?
Clients can submit only 1 request at a time. Each one gets placed in a queue. This natural throttle prevents overwhelm while maintaining the "unlimited" promise.
2. WP Curve
• The service: WordPress maintenance
• The product: Live access to a developer 24 hours a day for $59
The model worked so well, they scaled to an exit to GoDaddy in 2016.
3. ViralCuts
• The service: Short-form video editing
• The product: A trained editor to embed on your team
(I'm part owner on this one)
4. Ninjas
• The service: Accounting & tax help for ecomm businesses
• Product: Fixed scope, flat monthly fee
The founders originally prepared custom proposals & struggled with revenue. 10 months after productization, they reported hitting $10k MRR.
5. Contentfly
• The service: Content creation
• Product: A set amount of words/month
→ So... How can you replicate this?
3 things you need:
• A skill/service.
• SPEED in performing that skill.
• A niche searvice offer within that skill to set yourself apart.
Once you’ve picked your service:
• Package it into a monthly subscription
• Set clear boundaries and expectations
• Use tools to automate delivery
• Focus on speed of execution
Just remember...
The real power isn't in the "unlimited" promise. It's in the constraints you build around it:
• Defined scope of work
• Clear turnaround times
• One request at a time
These boundaries make the unlimited model actually sustainable.
When you're not trading hours for dollars, something magical happens:
You think bigger.
And the best part?
Productizing your service creates a systematized business with recurring revenue.
Resulting in a real business you can actually sell someday.
Author: Codie Sanchez
INSIGHT:
Here’s a full comprehensive guide on turning a service into a productized business with examples across industries and a customizable template to help you map out your own productized service model.
Turn Your Service Into a Scalable, Sellable Product 🚀
Most service providers—whether consultants, contractors, electricians, or doctors—trade time for money. But what if you could scale your expertise into a predictable, automated revenue model?
That’s where productized services come in. Instead of billing per project or per hour, you package your service into a structured, repeatable product—so customers can buy a result, not your time.
🔹 Step 1: Identify What You Can Productize
Ask yourself:
✅ What tasks do I repeat for every client?
✅ Can I standardize my process into a fixed package?
✅ Are there tools or automation that could streamline my service?
✅ Can I charge a flat rate or subscription for access instead of hourly billing?
🔹 Step 2: Industry-Specific Ideas for Productization
🟢 1. Consultants & Coaches → Digital Playbooks + Subscription Access
Traditional Model: 1:1 consulting calls ($300/hr)
Productized Model:
✅ Sell a pre-built system (video courses, templates, playbooks)
✅ Offer tiered memberships (basic = playbook, pro = live Q&As, premium = 1:1 calls)
✅ Add a community or mastermind for ongoing value
💡 Example: A "Scale Blueprint" for startups ($99/month membership).
🟢 2. Doctors & Medical Professionals → Subscription Health Plans & AI Health Assistants
Traditional Model: Charge per visit
Productized Model:
✅ Offer a concierge health membership ($99/month for unlimited virtual check-ins)
✅ Sell AI-driven symptom checker access ($49 one-time fee)
✅ Create pre-recorded wellness programs (weight loss, stress relief, etc.)
💡 Example: “Founder Health Club” for busy executives with priority appointments & 24/7 chat.
🟢 3. Construction & Home Services → Pre-Packaged Plans & Smart Home Subscriptions
Traditional Model: Custom quotes for each project
Productized Model:
✅ Offer pre-designed home kits with fixed pricing
✅ Sell a smart home subscription for maintenance ($99/month)
✅ Provide a virtual home energy audit with AI reports
💡 Example: “Smart Home Pro” – yearly inspections & priority repair service.
🟢 4. Electricians → Smart Installations & Electrical Safety Monitoring
Traditional Model: One-off wiring & repair jobs
Productized Model:
✅ Offer pre-packaged smart home installation kits
✅ Sell a monthly safety monitoring subscription ($29/month)
✅ Automate energy efficiency reports for homes & businesses
💡 Example: “PowerCheck” – a tool that detects power issues before they become expensive.
🟢 5. Repair & Maintenance → DIY Toolkits & Service Memberships
Traditional Model: Charge per repair job
Productized Model:
✅ Sell DIY repair kits with video tutorials
✅ Offer a monthly appliance maintenance plan ($25/month)
✅ Provide AI chatbots for troubleshooting
💡 Example: “HomeFix Club” – annual appliance checkups, repairs, & discounts.
🔹 Step 3: Create Your Productized Service Plan (Template)
Category What You Do Now Productized Model Pricing Automation Tools Service (Describe the manual service you offer) (Describe how you can package it into a product) (Fixed fee or subscription?) (CRM, AI chatbot, online portal, etc.) Example: Coaching 1:1 consulting calls Online membership + digital playbook $99/month Kajabi, Slack, Notion Example: Electrician Home rewiring Smart home installation package $500 fixed fee Zapier, AI chatbot
💡 How to Use This:
Fill in the table to map out your productized service and figure out pricing, automation, and tools.
🔹 Step 4: Automate & Scale
Once you've built your fixed package, use tools to reduce manual work:
✔ Zapier – Automate workflows (e.g., send contracts, collect payments)
✔ Calendly – Self-scheduling for calls & bookings
✔ Thinkific / Kajabi – Sell digital courses & playbooks
✔ ChatGPT / AI Assistants – Automate client questions & support
🔹 Step 5: Build Strategic Partnerships (Short Script)
Use this when reaching out to potential partners to collaborate and expand your offer.
🔹 Email / LinkedIn DM Template:
Subject: Let’s Create a Win-Win for Our Clients
Hi [Partner’s Name],
I love the work you do in [their field]. I run [your company name], and we’re focused on [your productized service]. I think there’s a big opportunity for us to collaborate—our clients need [a related service they offer], and I believe we could create a valuable win-win.
Would you be open to a quick 15-minute call to discuss how we can support each other?
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Website]
[Your LinkedIn]
💡 Example Partnership:
An electrician launching a smart home subscription partners with a security system installer. Bundle both services for a bigger customer base.
🔹 Final Thoughts: Why This Works
🎯 You stop trading time for money.
🎯 You create predictable, recurring revenue.
🎯 You can automate & scale your expertise.
🎯 You make your business more sellable.
The key is finding what’s repeatable and systematizing it.
🚀 Now it’s your turn—map out your productized service & start building!
➡️ Mind Your Own Business ⬅️
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