Stand Out

It's a crowded marketplace. Almost every business out there uses advertising: pamphlets, banners, websites, television, newspapers, etc. Customers have many choices, so what can you do to make your business stand out from the crowd?

What is unique to your business?
What is special about your business? Is there something that you do that your competitors don’t? For example, do you visit your customer’s place of business when larger competitors won’t move from their own premises? Or, can you guarantee a specific delivery period? Whatever it is, make sure you tell your customers what it is, and how it will benefit them. Sell them the benefits of being your customer.

Make your customers’ decisions for them
Tell potential customers why they should choose you to help them decide to use your business. Make sure you point out your business’ unique features and highlight how these will benefit your customer. Don’t leave it to chance that your customer will make the links for themselves. For example, if you are a small business, point out that you are small enough to adapt to your customer’s needs. Try to proactively break down any customer reluctance in choosing your business.

Find your own place
Think about advertising in different ways and places to your competitors. Stand out simply by being the only one advertising that way. For example, setting up an automatic text message service might make you stand out from your competitors if you are the only one doing it.

Be social and be memorable
Social networking is not just for keeping in touch with your friends anymore. Smart businesses are entering this space to create brand awareness, and to provide easy access for customers. Taking the time to set up a facebook page or a twitter account might make your business appeal to a more computer savvy client. Regularly sending out announcements of special deals, or new products keeps your business in your customer’s mind.

The key to standing out from the crowd is to know why your business is different, tell this to your customer in new and unique ways, and make sure they know the benefit of being your customer.