Honest value messaging

Value messaging explains what your product does and why it matters. Honest value messaging means your claims match what users actually experience. When you promise features, benefits, or outcomes, users should be able to verify those promises through their own experience with your product.

Exaggerated claims might generate short-term interest, but they create a trust gap. If you claim your app "revolutionizes productivity" but it's really just a basic task manager, users will feel misled. This damages retention and generates negative word-of-mouth that's hard to recover from.

Honest messaging requires knowing your product's real strengths and limitations. Focus on specific, verifiable benefits rather than vague superlatives. Instead of "the best project management tool," say "helps teams track deadlines and collaborate on tasks." This attracts users who genuinely need what you offer and sets realistic expectations that lead to satisfaction rather than disappointment.^[1]