5 Ways to Stand Out from Your Competition

We love the competition.

They help us to be better.

They make sure that we provide our customers with the best outcomes.

Our competitors complete us.

Said no-one. Ever. Who was telling the truth.

It would be AWESOME if there was no competition.

No more pitches.

No more nagging doubts about what the other guy/s are offering that we’re not.

No more having to “sharpen your pencil”.

The trouble is, unless you’ve just invented - and trade marked - the most amazing widget that uniquely fills a gaping hole in your market, you’re stuck with your competitors.

So let’s talk about 5 ways you can destroy…sorry…stand out from the competition:

1. Promote Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

Often, standing out isn't about being better than the rest; it's about being different from the rest.

What’s your unique, or at least, your differential advantage?

Why should your customers choose your business over others?

Why should I pay you more than your competition down the road?

UVP’s can, and should, be crafted for every business.

And no, “your people” or “your service” or “your ideas” don’t make all the difference.

It’s not that these aspects of your offering aren’t important, it’s just that EVERYONE pretty much says the same thing.

Identify what makes your business special - whether it's your niche expertise, proprietary processes, geographic advantage, or something else that’s meaningful - and consistently communicate it across all of your marketing channels.

Here are some examples of brands that have successfully differentiated themselves from their competitors by embracing their uniqueness:

• Airstream: Airstream has carved out a niche in the recreational vehicle industry by focusing on craftsmanship, durability, and a distinctive design. Their loyal following of outdoor enthusiasts and travellers wouldn’t use any other RV brand.
• Tesla: What brand do you think of when someone says “electric vehicle”? Tesla has captured the imagination of consumers and positioned itself as a leader in the transition to sustainable transportation.
• Apple: Originally a (relatively) niche personal computer targeting the educational and design industries, Apple is so much more today. What still remains from its earliest days is a brand that combines design elegance and functional simplicity.

2. Be You

People connect with people, not websites, brochures, apps or ads.

Share your personal story and the story behind your business - what inspired you to start it (or join it), the challenges you've overcome, and the values that drive you.

Bringing your authentic self to every customer touchpoint builds relationships and trust and helps you to form deeper connections with your market.

3. Don’t be Modest

Don’t believe the doubters: case studies, testimonials, and before-and-after examples, work their socks off.

Whale decision makers (and their organisations) are inherently cautious, so the more evidence you provide of your ability to deliver results by profiling your other clients’ successes, the less risky it is for new clients to pick you.

4. Innovate and Adapt

Innovating and thinking outside the box is often discussed but rarely done.

Keep an eye on industry trends, technology advancements, and evolving customer needs, and then think critically and widely.

Always be willing to adapt and evolve your services according to what your conscious and sub-conscious mind tells you that the market needs.

Being an innovator positions you as forward-thinking and demonstrates that you can create new angles and solutions that your competitors have failed to deliver.

5. Build a Strong Brand Identity

Sounds obvious, right?

So why aren’t you doing it????

Your brand is more than just a logo and a colour scheme - it's the essence of who you are as a company.

Invest in building a strong brand identity that reflects your values, personality, and unique selling points that you crafted as per the above points.

Heck, send out a newsletter every week! ??

Consistency, as always is key, so ensure that your brand messaging, visuals, and tone of voice are cohesive and integrated across all platforms.

In essence: create a single-minded, compelling message, and stick to it!

That’s all for this week.

Good luck!

If you want to put a process in place that helps you to get bigger clients and bigger budgets, we can help you to achieve that! Book a session with us here.

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