Article Contributed by Kelly Richardson
If you want your business to reach more customers you will need to stand out in the crowd. Not only do you need to reach your customers where they are, but you also need to prove that your business deserves their attention and their hard earned money. Here are 10 creative ways to help your business stand out among the competition and succeed where others fail:
1. Unique Product
If you have a unique product that your customers can’t get anywhere else, you’ll definitely stand out from other businesses. You don’t need a full line of one-of-a-kind products, but having one or two will help your business. Focus on a message that tells them what truly makes your products different.
2. Create a Niche
Niche stores help you stand out because customers will know that you do one thing, and you do it well. Niches can often get away with charging higher prices, so it will help increase your profits as well. Most people are willing to pay a little more to get exactly what they want.
3. Be the Solution
Do your customers have a problem? Tell them how you can solve it. Whatever your company does that makes you stand out, be sure to advertise it and let your potential customers know what it is. Focus on what your value proposition is, and drive it home.
4. Fill a Need
If you don’t have a solution that sets you apart from other businesses, find a need that you fulfill. Study your competition; are they filling a need for their customers? If not, maybe you can.
5. Promotional Products
Give your customers small thank you gifts. Give them something that they will use so they stay familiar with your business name and your brand. Personalized pens and notebooks are always great. When your business participates on an event, bring custom t-shirts to hand out. If the event is outside, bring custom sunglasses or koozies. People love free swag, and it’s a great way to promote your brand.
6. Value
Do you offer more for the money than other companies? Tell your customers! They won’t know if you don’t tell them. Create a campaign that tells your customers about a longer warranty, or about how you use higher quality materials, or ship faster. Find what it is that you do that brings value to them. This makes your business different from everyone else, and will attract customers.
7. Service
Great customer service spreads through word of mouth on social media and with friends offline. Treat your customers right and they will tell their friends for years to come. Soon, this will lead to more sales and revenue.
8. Offers
Most people love to save money, so offer discounts for loyal customers. Include a coupon on the receipt, or use email or Facebook to deliver coupons to your customers. The more unique the discount, the more memorable it’ll be. For example, instead of a free item with 10 purchases, make it an odd number like 9. Offer a percentage off to customers who walk in the store and repeat a phrase from your Twitter or Facebook page. Who doesn’t remember McDonald’s Two all-beef patties slogan for the Big Mac?
9. Guarantee
If you guarantee your work, create a strong call to action about your guarantee so your customers feel comfortable giving you their business. Tell all of your customers about your guarantee, and include it on your invoice and other written communication with potential customers.
10. Tell Everyone That You Are Different
After you’ve chosen one or more ways to set your business apart from other businesses, you need to tell your customers. Use this difference to help you market and advertise your products to potential customers so they know more about your company and how you can help them.
Setting yourself apart from your competition goes hand in hand with building your brand. Your brand is your business’s personality, and it should directly reflect how and what your business does. Once customers learn how your company is different, they will be more likely to spend their money with you the next time they need your product or service.
Author Bio:
Kelly Richardson is the community manager at InkHead Promotional Products. Founded in 2003, InkHead is a leading distributor in the promotional product and advertising specialty industry, offering a diverse catalog of customizable items ranging from promotional apparel to custom coffee mugs.