30 STEPS TO LET YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT FROM CROWD

Let’s face it, starting a business can be very easy, but staying in business can be very
difficult given that our customers have too many choices on where to spend their hard-
earned cash. So the question I posed to small business owners was “How do you make
your business stand out from the crowd so that people will choose to spend their
dollars with you?” Here are 30 of the best responses that I received from businesses
located all over the world! I hope there’s a few that resonate with you.

1. Give ‘Em What They Want
For us, at The Burger Dive, it was all about offering something that we didn’t think our
city really had, and that we believed would be wanted. Our city is overflowing with fast
food burger chains, and a couple of higher end burger chains, but it really lacked that
one little mom and pop burger joint that everyone loves. We have maintained our
standards from day one, using only fresh and quality ingredients. We make everything
ourselves, and it has paid off. People tell us daily “this is the best I’ve ever had,” and
they say they can really tell the difference between us and our larger chain
competitors. It really comes down to freshness, and also our creativity with our burgers
and our specials.
Thanks to Brad Halsten, The Burger Dive

2. Become a Winner
We have won multiple awards and we are proud of them. The awards have become not
only a pat on the back, but a great marketing tool that really gets our name out there.
The award definitely holds its value as the years go on.
Thanks to Matt Pringle, DCP Productions

3. Become Really Good at Something Really Difficult
We are a team of professional organizers who specialize in the severely cluttered and
hoarders. We actually receive referrals from other organizers because this is a very
difficult segment of our industry and is too much for many organizers.
We allow the client to be in command of their costs by charging hourly rather than
making them buy a package up front and we make sure they are very comfortable with
their organizer since this is SUCH an intimate business. We offer a quicker turn-around
time if they are up against a deadline (often imposed by the county) while still allowing
them to keep their dignity and self-esteem.
Thanks to Maria Spetalnik, ConquerTheClutter

4. Cater to Your Customer
Madcapz are specifically made for women by a woman. Most ball caps are made for
men so they are too big and don’t fit women well. Our caps are low profile, meaning
there is less room in the crown and this is better suited to women’s heads.
Also, Madcapz are available in over 20 fabulous prints; most baseball caps are in
boring, drab colors and splattered with corporate and sports logos.
And finally, a growing trend with our buyers: they love that our baseball caps are Made
in the USA! Most ball caps today are made in Bangladesh and China, ours are made
here and buyers love that!
Thanks to Carrie Bell, Madcapz

5. Tap into What Works and Make it Your Own
We are a military/patriotic fashion apparel brand. We just got started about 2 years ago
but within 18 months had the most popular website among our competitors and the
second largest following of fans on Facebook. How did I do it? A lot of long nights… But
seriously, we separated ourselves. When I started the business I really just wanted
something cool to wear that looked modern but had a military or patriotic twist to it,
being a veteran of the United States Army and a Drill Sergeant at the time.
We took modern cool looks and quality from what’s currently hot in the market, put a
patriotic or military twist on our designs and then guaranteed our apparel for life like
another apparel retailer does. We really didn’t innovate anything, but took what works
from other successful companies and put them together to come up with us, Grunt
Style. It’s worked fantastically and we continue to explode with growth.
Thanks to Drill Sergeant Daniel Alarik, Grunt Style LLC

6. Specialize: Be The Expert-Then Deliver
There are a ton of freelance writers, but not many have expertise in my niches (aging,
senior care, evidence-based health advice, and high-end SEO friendly content for
websites). My clients come to me for expertise they haven’t seen elsewhere. They
could pay cheap prices for lesser work, but they know that with me, they’ll get
exceptional content that beats the competition’s. So I help their businesses stand out
too! I also strive to be outstanding to work with.
Thanks to Leigh Ann Otte of LA Wordsmith

7. Ice The Cake
So many businesses advertise their “quality” or “speed” as if the competition doesn’t
have this. Come up with something the competition doesn’t have, something extra –
icing on the cake. I don’t market this enough – maybe I should – but when we write a
book for a client, we will happily prepare a synopsis and query letter at no extra cost.
We only bring this forward when a lead asks about what comes after the writing. It
helps close the sale rather than generate new leads.
Thanks to David Leonhardt of THGM writers

8. Be Authentic, Be Bold, Be Different!
Here is something different in this day and age, NEVER TAKE ANY ONE for granted,
listen to your clients. provide value in your products and service, and go above and
beyond to make people feel like they are your only customer. Return to simple values
such as face to face marketing, handshakes, and then use modern day technology to
stay in front of them and provide resources, education establishing yourself as the
authority in your field.
Thanks to Marc Abelman, Las Vegas Interior Design

9. Be Honorable and Forthright and You are Golden
Honest straightforward communication and portrayal of your product. No gimmicks
schmooze.
Thanks to Lys Fulda, Sphinx Group

10. Cater to A Specific Niche
We make accommodations for, and cater, to special needs kids.
Thanks to David Perkins, Bubble Swim School

11. Specialize
I am a freelance copywriter competing with dozens, if not hundreds, of other freelance
copywriters for assignments. However, with a degree in Chemistry and an insatiable
appetite for understanding anything related to science and technology, I have a unique
selling proposition. There are plenty of good writers “out there” who are terrified of
anything having to do with technology. There are also plenty of highly skilled technical
people who can’t tell you in English exactly what it is that they do. I have the rare
ability to interview a scientist or an engineer, or read a very technical paper, and
translate the “Techno-Babble” or “technical gobbledygook” into compelling English that
even people with no technical training can read and understand. My corporate logo is a
red apple, and my tag line is, “Technical copy with a delicious difference. Like an apple,
it will be “red.” This is how I differentiate my business from my competition.
Thanks to Robert P. Baker, Copy To Go, Inc.

12. Create a Better Experience
Ringadoc puts patients in touch with doctors from any phone, anywhere, anytime. Our
meticulous attention to technology separates us from our competitors. We devote just
as much time to perfecting our software as we do to finding the best team of doctors,
because we believe great technology goes a long way in creating a better healthcare
experience. Most recently, we developed the first app that enables patients and doctors
to video conference right on their Apple and Android devices.
Thanks to Stephanie A. Higa, Ringadoc Communications
Also on StartupNation.com: Media Branding: What’s
Old is New Again

13. Position Yourself As The Expert In Your Field
I try to not be a jack of all trades. We have a tendency to say, “Oh sure, I can do that.”
By doing so you quickly find yourself in an over promise, under deliver situation. If you
don’t spread yourself too thin, it gives you a chance to perfect the areas that you are
really good at. That way you can be THE person in town who is the expert to work with.
Be sure to have a list of people you trust to suggest in the fields that you don’t cover.
You want to be the person your client consults for referrals!
Thanks to Darlynn Nangano of Little Blog Dress Media

14. Do it Differently Than Your Competitors
Listia.com is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell things without money.
You post auction-style listings to earn credits, and can then use those credits to buy
things from other users. It’s a great way to trade things you don’t use for things you
actually want.
Our main competitive edge is being a truly free service, as opposed to eBay who
charges listing fees to sell your things. In addition, we offer a charity donation feature
so users can essentially turn the things they don’t want into charitable donations
(www.listia.com/charities). We’ve captured a lot of users from the eBay market as well
as the Free listings on Craigslist, and hope to continue expanding our services so
everyone can barter instead of buy.
Thanks to Mabel Yoshimoto, Listia.com

15. Tell People HOW You Are Different
I changed my tagline last year to: We are not the biggest mover, but our clients tell us
we are the BEST!
Then all of my follow-up with prospects and customers outlines how/why our clients
say we are the best. This puts psychological triggers in their head so once we provide
services for them (and my guys in the field are aware of this campaign), then when we
ask for a testimonial they already have it in their head, that we are the best, and are
more inclined to put that in their testimonial.
Thanks to Jim Howey of TechMove

16. Speak Their Language
We are the first marketing communication firm in the world to achieve LEED Platinum.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and was established in
1993 by the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage sustainable building practices in
the U.S. My traditional marketing communications firm has clients in the building
materials industry and we wanted to increase that business. Getting accredited,
teaching LEED and finally getting the office Certified at the highest level tells our
potential clients that we know what their customers are wanting in sustainable building
products and that we can speak the customer’s language.
Thanks to Chuck Lohre, Lohre & Associates Marketing Communications

17. Niche-ify!
There are many companies that offer marketing services to small businesses. What
makes Market Mommy different? We cater to the mom business owner who is trying to
get her business off the ground in an affordable manner. All of our services are
extremely low cost, yet professional. We help moms brainstorm and develop a
marketing plan that is both effective and realistic. Our rates are low and we suggest
other marketing efforts that are affordable as well.
Thanks to Dawn E. Berryman, Founder, Market Mommy®

18. Be Yourself, Have Personality
For many freelancers, we ARE our business. There’s just one person, just us. So, just
like in personal relationships, just be yourself. Your business is unique because you are
unique. Allow your personality to shine through. You don’t have to be the biggest or the
fanciest or the most well-known company to be successful. Just look at me. There are
bazillion web designers in Phoenix. What sets me apart? I treat clients like friends and
let them get to know me.
Thanks to Perri Collins of Perri Collins Consulting

19. Partner with Your Customers
My company stands out because we make our members/customers revenue sharing
partners in our business. Our referral program pays our members a percentage of the
earnings of the customers they refer to us. They earn money without even shopping
and establish residual income for themselves.
Thanks to Frank DeBlasi, Hoopla Doopla, Inc.

20. Helping Nurses Become Heroes
I recently launched a nurse speaking, training, and consulting business. At first, my
sales message looked like the others (telling potential clients I could help improve their
nurses’ clinical and professional…etc). Ugh. I looked like a cookie cutter. So, I got to
the core of what I was trying to do and simplified my message. I want nurses to believe
they are heroes; that making a difference is a choice. What makes me different is I tap
into their emotions and help them believe in themselves.
Thanks to Renee Thompson of RTConnections

21. Be Old School!
I know that what makes my business stand out shouldn’t be so simple, or old school,
but it is. I live by this motto: “Do What You Say You Will Do!” I know it’s not the golden
rule, but pretty close to it. I am constantly amazed that my clients thank me for doing
such a simple thing as returning a phone call. But, when your friendly competitors take
days, or do it not at all, it makes you stand out from a huge pack. All you have is your
word, respect it and others will respect you!
Thanks to Karen Berg of United Brokers Group

22. Personal Recommendations and Testimonials and Celebrity Endorsements
I work as a professional magician in the UK and it’s important to stand out in some way
as there are hundreds of magicians fighting for the same (relatively small) amount of
business and little to differentiate them. One thing I have done is to make sure I get
personal recommendations and testimonials from people who have hired me. It’s
always useful to have plenty of these on your website, they really help. People can be a
bit wary, as they know these things can easily be faked, so actual screenshots of any
written “thank yous” are very powerful.
Also, I love celebrity endorsements. They are tricky to come by, but worth their weight
in gold. I was working in a restaurant and an old guy came in with his family. I went
over to do some magic for them and (OMG!) it was Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin! I
made sure to get a photo with him and put it onto my website; I’ve had several
bookings as a result from people who say “If you’re good enough for Jimmy Page then
you’re good enough for me!” Always be ready to grab a picture with any celebrity you
come across, even if you only speak to them for a few seconds grab that shot, it will be
invaluable.
Thanks to Mike Stoner (magician) Magician For Hire UK

23. Provide a Money-Back Guarantee
We offer a 100% money-back guarantee for our services. This means that if one or
more objectives are not met within the agreed upon deadlines, we will give the client
back every penny of their fee. At first glance, there appears to be a lot of risk involved
with doing this. However, we’re confident in our experience and the level of services
we provide to our clients.
Thanks to Tim Parkin, Parkin Web Development, LLC

24. Provide a Free Trial
GovernmentAuctions.org is a subscription-based service that gives the customer the
best and cheapest possible way to view and participate in government auctions via our
site. We have changed the game by offering people an initial three-day free trial
membership which has never been done before by anybody in the industry.
Thanks to Ian Aronovich, GovernmentAuctions.org

25. Offer Something that Your Competitors Don’t
In Phoenix we have a lot of problems with car windshields breaking due to rocks from
never ending road construction and excessive heat. The problem was that you could
get your windshield fixed one day and then need it again the next. Our glass company,
Desert Breeze Glass become the exclusive licensee of Diamon Fusion glass guard
which is a coating that is applied to the exterior portion of the windshield making it
water and rock resistant. We have several insurance agents who have said their glass
claims have reduced from the repeat glass offenders since applying DFI to their
windshields. This makes agents refer customers to us again and again.
Thanks to Cathryn Curcio of Desert Breeze Glass

26. Don’t Follow the Dots, Create Your Own Path
At SaveOnBrew.com we have both a blessing and a curse by having a very unique
product. It is easy to share with people and we often hear “why didn’t I think of that.”
The downfall is we have no marketing model to follow. We had to become just as
unique in our marketing techniques as our product.
Thanks to Jennifer Davidson Director of Operations SaveOnBrew, LLC.

27. “World Change is How We Roll.”
Sevenly is a social good startup that stands out from the competition in several key
ways. Lots of people sell cool t-shirts, but we sell tees with a cause. Each purchase
gives $7 to the charity of the week. We also standout by getting our customers
involved in promoting the cause. For example this week, when we hit $4,900, we’ll have
raised enough to pay for a clean water well for a village in Peru.
Thanks to Justin Palmer, Sevenly

28. It’s All in The Name
I think our memorable name differentiates us from competitors: Fatpacking
Obviously people don’t base their decision to join our weight loss backpacking trips by
name alone, but it does get them to at least consider us.
Thanks to Steve, FatPacking.com

29. Stand Out on Every Level
Boxiecat.com is the first provider of mail-order subscription-based home cat litter
delivery. The number one way we stand out is by being more convenient. In truth, we
also strive to provide a better product in a more green way and to have great customer
interactions. We really try to stand out on every level, as a startup, we know that’s our
best chance for success.
Thanks to Josh Wiesenfeld, Boxiecat.com

30. Send Your Message in a Unique Package
It’s trickier to get the attention of the decision maker with your message. Two ideas
we’ve used that have worked: (1) We have emailed a letter to a nearby pizza
restaurant, they printed it out & delivered the pizza (vegan & cheese free since we
publish a newspaper on natural preventive health) with our letter taped on top of the
box. This idea was a big hit and helped establish the relationship and sale. (2)
Send your info by mail in nice 4 color/gloss file folders (label goes horizontal).
Thanks to Thomas Katovsky of Healthy Referral Newspaper
Want to get more inexpensive and practical small business marketing ideas, grab a free
ebook called “Build Buzz for Your Biz, 23 Creative and Inexpensive Marketing Strategies
That Will Get You Noticed” at http://23kazoos.com.

Author: Salia ahmed (Koolicbeatzgh)