What Sets You Apart from the Competition?

In my last article, "Use Content Marketing to Tell Your Audience an Unforgettable Story", I wrote about the power of storytelling in content marketing. What if you're having a little trouble coming up with a story? I would challenge you to define your secret sauce. Identify differentiators that really set you apart from the competition? With the ability to unlock your business's unique edge, you can better craft a compelling business narrative.

Standing out from the crowd may be a little more difficult in today's competitive landscape, but to accomplish long-term success, it's a necessity. Define your business. What makes it unique? Why are you unforgettable? Let's take a look at some factors that can increase your brand awareness and make a lasting impression with your audience.

Unique Value Proposition

First off, not your standard elevator pitch...a unique value proposition needs to be compelling. Coming out of the gate is not when you want to fall behind your competition, but rather where you want to make a compelling entrance and ignite your audience to believe in your product or service. What problem can you solve for your audience, and how do you do it differently than your competitors? Now is not the time to be timid. Be bold, but honest. Highlight your features and benefits. Is your business exceptional? If you think so, clearly communicate with your audience why it is. And yes, strong content is the key to attracting customers and leaving them wanting more.

Make the Customer Journey Outstanding

Talk about a business differentiator; providing an outstanding customer experience can set you light years ahead of the competition. Personalized interactions can make all the difference when you are trying to create a buzz-worthy, positive customer journey. It's time to get those content marketing skills fired up again. Are you clearly communicating with customers upon their initial interaction with your company? Are you making every effort to engage with them at all touchpoints along the customer journey? Do you make the extra effort to convey post-purchase support? With steady customer relationship management by means of effective content, you can seize the opportunity to build your brand, retain customers, and spark some excitement, generating awesome word-of-mouth referrals.

Be Innovative

If you want to be a trailblazer in your industry, let's face it, you can't be dull. You need to be creative, embrace innovation, and stay ahead of the curve and on top of trends. There's nothing better than to communicate with your audience through carefully crafted content in order to remain relevant. Remember, your competition is doing this, so carve out time to continually enhance your content marketing efforts. Innovation is your friend and will allow you to stay ahead of the competition.

Is Your Brand Identity a Strength?

Yes, we've already established that in a crowded marketplace, standing strong and tall makes you stand out. A well-defined brand identity helps set your business apart in a crowded marketplace. Develop a clear brand strategy that projects your personality, mission, and values. You want your business to be recognizable, but you also want to develop an emotional connection with your audience. To do this, it's important to be consistent with all your marketing materials and messages. High-quality content and graphics are vital when it comes to business appeal and impression.

When you are Committed to Quality, You Instill Trust

To differentiate yourself from your competition, don't sleep on the details or compromise on standards. Delivering high-quality products or services is a way to build a solid reputation while earning the trust of your audience. By championing excellence in all marketing/sales opportunities, you are increasing your chances of enlarging your audience footprint and creating a distinct competitive advantage for your business.

A Compelling Story Leaves A Lasting Impression

Your business narrative will be shaped by your strengths and how you carve out your own niche. To really be memorable, go the extra mile and value excellence. Know your core values and deliver a consistent message that reflects your beliefs to to your audience. Remember, one way to be unforgettable is to be unique.