The Internet provides anyone who wants to start a company the ability to do so with just a few clicks of the mouse. What may have once been a limited playing field for competition in your niche has now become a globalised, cut-throat marketplace. With so many companies competing for clients and customers, it’s vital that you stand out from the rest in order to secure business. Here are eight ways to ensure that your company does just that.
Build Your Brand
Your brand includes much more than your logo, product, or merchandising. It’s about the overall experience customers have when they do business with you. While this can include visual elements of your business, it primarily has to do with what you do and how you do it. In addition, it’s important how you interact with clients and customers and what information you share on your social media. All of this helps establish your company’s trust and credibility.
Invest in Your Name and Logo
Although establishing your company’s trust and credibility is the most important part of building your brand, having a strong company name and logo are both essential to your long-term success. When deciding on a company name and logo, get it right the first time. Make sure both are easily recognizable and reflect the nature of your business. They should also appeal to your target audience. If need be, find a good designer that will help deliver a name and logo that will stand out from the rest.
Implement New Programs
Nothing says “standing out” like keeping up with the times and implementing progressive new programs that’ll help your business grow. For example, starting a new initiative structured around the the BYOD solutions offered by Blackberry will help companies cut costs while providing more flexibility to employees. Productivity and morale are both enhanced by the simple act of allowing your employees to bring their personal devices into the workplace. By allowing your company to take advantage of programs like these, you’re setting it up for success in the future and cutting costs in the short-term.
Offer Great Products and Services
It won’t matter how great your name and logo look if your products and services are backing them up. Word of mouth is a great way of spreading awareness about what you’re selling and for attracting new customers. The better your product and service, the more people will want to tell others about it. Remember to never lose sight of your product and service, making sure you’re always working to refine it and make it better than before.
Provide a Distinct Voice
A great way to make sure that you deliver your unique brand message consistently across your business is to focus on how your company interacts and communicates with its customers – whether it’s in-person, on the phone, or on social media. Are you puzzled about what your “voice” should sound like? Take some time to look at other brands. Ask yourself, “What are they doing that I’d like to emulate?” Once you’ve highlighted what you like in other companies, you can use the same strategies.
Include the Community
A successful company is one that’s trusted and respected by its customers. Building a strong sense of community online and off can help you stand out from the rest of the companies out there that forget about their customers and the community. To focus on your community more, simply use social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter online or participate in offline activities, events, charities, and fundraisers. The more you participate, the further your trust will extend.
Represent Your Company
You don’t have to be the best salesperson to succeed in business. Actually, if you overdo it, it comes across as untrustworthy. Instead of selling your business, advocate it. Be the first to make people understand what your business is all about. Tell people the story behind your products and services and show people what you’ve done for people. Instead of selling your methods and mission, represent them as if you live by them. Once people notice your passion, they’ll follow along for the ride.
Be Reliable
One of your goals should be to never let the customers down, no matter what it takes. It’s important to live up to your own promises and brand standards, letting customers know that you’ll do whatever it takes to uphold your end of the deal. Having a happy customers mean that you’ll have a loyal one. Remember to make promises that you can keep and stand behind them in any situation. Once customers know they can rely on you, they’ll keep coming back for more.
Standing out from the hundreds of thousands of companies out there isn’t easy. Although, if you’re passionate about your products and services and treat your customers right, you’re well on your way. Have any other tips? Leave a comment below and let us know.