How Do You Stand Out from Your Competition?

In the world of entrepreneurship, we meet challenges every day... whether they are related to marketing, operations or finances. How you meet those challenges determine how well your business will do and whether your business will grow.

When it comes to marketing your services, how do you differentiate yourself? How do you stand out among the crowd?

You're probably thinking "I've heard this before," and you are correct. There are plenty of articles about this one subject. So why write another one? Because as humans, we apparently don't learn.

Here's an example. I am working on a project for a client where they have potential speakers complete a questionnaire about their expertise. Seems simple enough. But as I am analyzing the data, I am noticing something that is pretty consistent across every response... they are ALL EXPERTS IN EVERYTHING!

Really? There are approximately 150 potential topics that the client is asking about... and most respondents think they have experience or expertise in almost every topic.

How is that possible? I know we are all really talented and really smart... but are we really an expert in everything? I don't think so.

When it comes to building our business and marketing our services, we need to decide what our expertise really is.

For example... I am a Digital and Online Marketing Manager who works with entrepreneurs in many industries... real estate, law, finance, carpet cleaning, and more. But where is my sweet spot? Where do I really know that I excel? Working with Speakers, Authors and Coaches... that is where my gift is. I know exactly what they need to run their live events, their webinars, their book launches and their every day marketing. That is my sweet spot.

Find Your Niche or Specialty

What is yours? What makes your business or your service special? Figure that out and then tell everyone. Build that message into your introductions, your website, your marketing materials... into everything you do.

Does it limit you? Absolutely not! If people outside of that market contact you, you can make the choice as to whether you want to work with them or not. By defining your niche market, you clarify your marketing message to yourself, your staff and your potential clients. That clarified message also allows you to learn when to say "No," when a potential client is not a good fit.

Back to this project now... where I need to find an expert for a specific topic among a pool of people who think they are experts in everything.