It’s easier than ever to start up a new business. If you have an idea, service, or product you want to sell, you absolutely can! However, that means there’s more competition. No matter what industry you’re in, there will always be someone else trying to sell or do the same thing. But it doesn’t mean you can’t make your small business stand out from the crowd. There are a lot of things you can do such as creating unique video content or having the best sales team in your industry! Instead, let’s just focus on five ways you can make your business stand out from your competitors.
Social Media
If your brand doesn’t have a social media presence, you might as well not exist. Today’s consumers research everything before buying or supporting a company, especially small businesses. Creating a Facebook page or Instagram account is the most basic thing you can do for your business. However, you want to stand out! Take advantage of what social media can do, and tell your company’s story. What makes you unique? What problems do your products or services solve? Use high-quality graphics and video content that your audience will love and appreciate. If taking product photos or video production isn’t your strong suit, there is a video production company that you can hire instead. People will connect to your business on an emotional level when you’re sincere in telling your story and will be more loyal to your business instead of your competitors.
Customer Service
Without a doubt, one of the best and easiest ways to create a name for yourself amongst your competitors is to have phenomenal customer service. Even if you aren’t in the service industry, you should still care about your customers. Anyone who purchases something from your business expects to have a great experience. 75% of customers have stated that they consider customer service as a test to their value to a brand. Creating the best service and care for customers will develop loyalty in them, and they’ll turn into lifetime consumers. Offer ways they can share their interactions with your business so you can constantly improve. Be the leader and example of how customer service should be done in your industry.
Employee Morale
This can go hand in hand with customer service. If your employees care about your company’s vision, they will give you their best work. There are ways to keep everyone on the same page, headed for the same ambitious goals, and that’s with OKRs. Objectives and Key Results give a common vocabulary for teams to achieve goals and track data over time. This is meant to help the whole company and team, not just one individual. When the whole team is working together like a well-oiled machine, your customers can tell.
Admit Fault When Needed
They say that for every one good experience with a business, that person will only tell one person. But if a person has a bad experience, they’ll tell everyone. Bad experiences with a business will spread like wildfire, and it’s up to the business owner on how they want to handle it. Customers prefer when business owners step up and fix a problem, even if it’s not always their fault. According to Forbes, customer relations can be stronger after a problem, if handled correctly.
Reviews
Nothing beats free advertising, and that’s exactly what reviews are! New customers are more inclined to shop with your business if they see positive reviews from other buyers. Not only does this help build your brand, but great reviews urge your audience to pick your business over your competitors. When your customers love you and your brand, they do a lot of your marketing for you. And since you have a presence on social media, leaving reviews will be easier than ever for your customers!
Standing out from a crowd can be difficult, but it’s not impossible! Be unique, and share your business’s story. Communicate with your audience and customers in a way that lets them know you care.