10 steps to let your business stand out.

Ask yourself what makes your business different
(PredictableProfits.com) If you want your business to
stand out, you need to ask yourself what truly makes
you different from your competition. That means doing
some competitive research from the perspective of
your customers. What makes you different? Why
should they buy from you instead? If you have a tough
time answering any of these questions, you have some
work to do…but it’s a start.
1
Develop an X-factor (Concur.com) After some good
introspection on your business, it’s time to develop an
“x-factor” that separates you from your competitors.
And not just some minor detail that makes you
(somewhat) unique, either. It needs to be something
you do or have that nobody else does, it must add
value to your business, and (ideally) be something that
your competitors can’t do. Focus on your strengths and
do something better than everyone else . That’s the
secret to truly standing out.
2
Develop a unique value proposition
(RecruitingBlogs.com) Standing out for the sake of
standing out isn’t enough. Your customers need to feel
like they’re getting value fromwhat makes you different
from the rest of your industry. That means either
making your products and/or services better, having
better prices, or simply offering more bang for the
buck. Here’s something you probably already know:
people love freebies. Value is everything.
3
Make your marketing stand out (CreationStudio.ca)
See the above three pieces of advice? Now apply that
to your marketing. Make it different, do it better than
your competitors, and add a value proposition (have
sales, events, etc.) This is a chance to get really
creative, so don’t waste it. Spare no expense.
4
Make your brand stand out (YoungGoGetter.com)
Having a great logo is one thing, but your brand is so
much more than a simple graphic. Your brand should
act as a constant reminder to current and potential
customers of why you are different and better than
your competitors. Branding is perhaps the most integral
piece of your marketing strategy and it should do more
than just communicate what makes you unique… it
should magnify it.
5
Make your business cards stand out
(SmallBizDiamonds.com) There are so many unique
and creative ways to do business cards. But once
again, being different or creative just for the sake of
being noticed isn’t good enough. Make your business
cards an extension of your business: different from
everyone else, but because you’ve added value.
Otherwise you might as well have plain old paper
business cards.
6
Make your blog stand out
(SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com) If you’ve done the hard
work of your way to make your business stand out, it’s
time to make the most of it. Starting a blog and
marketing your business online is a perfect opportunity
to do just that. It’s relatively inexpensive and the viral
potential (in the age of social media) is remarkably
high. But even if your blog doesn’t go “viral” it’s still a
great way to connect with your customers, remind
them of what makes you better, and turn them into
brand enthusiasts.
7
Don’t be mediocre (WebsitesGiveBack.com) Just
because you do one thing really well, isn’t an excuse to
keep the status quo on everything else. Step up your
game on your entire offer and your customers will
notice. The last thing you want is your customers
saying, “yeah, they have great [product] but their [other
purchasing factor] is so-so.”
8
Position yourself as an expert
(MarketingForSuccess.com) You could have the best
offer in the world but still find that customers just don’t
come back if they can’t find you credible as an expert
in your field. Know your industry inside and out and be
more than willing to share that knowledge. This kind of
credibility is what builds consumer trust and it’s that
kind of trust that will get customers to refer others to
your business.
9
Break the rules (StandOutSales.com) Want your
business to be truly unique? Do the opposite of what
everyone else does. Conventional wisdom is often
wrong, so challenge and rewrite the rules of doing
business in your industry. Just be sure you aren’t
detracting from the value of your products and
services, otherwise it will come off as “gimmicky”.

Author: Koolicbeatzgh