{"id":396,"date":"2017-12-13T23:25:26","date_gmt":"2017-12-13T23:25:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ukhangoutcommunity.com\/news\/?p=396"},"modified":"2022-05-25T09:52:36","modified_gmt":"2022-05-25T08:52:36","slug":"6-ways-to-get-a-leg-up-on-your-competitors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ukhangoutcommunity.com\/knowledge-centre\/2017\/12\/13\/6-ways-to-get-a-leg-up-on-your-competitors\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways to Get a Leg Up on Your Competitors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marketing your business is easier than ever thanks to the internet. Right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, not totally wrong \u2013 but there\u2019s no denying that in some ways, digital marketing complicates things for small business owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do I mean by that? Well, before the internet, most companies were competing with only a few rivals. There were exceptions, of course \u2013 mail order companies like LL Bean are a good example. But for the most part, business competition was a local affair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the internet, that all changed. Suddenly the marketplace (and the competition) became global. While some companies (those who provide in-person services, for example) still compete on an exclusively local level, many others find that they\u2019re competing with companies across the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does that mean you should give up? Absolutely not. The key to being seen online is understanding what you can do to separate yourself from your key competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are six ways to accomplish that goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1: Focus on the Outcome You Provide<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forget about what you\u2019re selling. What are you doing for people?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When people research a product or service online, they\u2019re looking for a solution. It makes sense, then, that your online marketing should specify that you provide one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, say you run a meal delivery company. That means you\u2019ll be competing against local companies as well as big national brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If all you say is that you deliver meals, you won\u2019t have done anything to explain what people can expect if they choose your company over your competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let\u2019s say that your specialty is family-friendly meals that kids love. The result that your target audience wants is no-fuss weekday dinners they can get on the table in a hurry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s your outcome: Stress-free weeknight dinners for busy parents. You can see how approaching your marketing from that angle would be appealing to your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2: Find What Makes Your Product or Service Unique<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes your product special? There must be something, or you won\u2019t be able to differentiate yourself from your key competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine that you\u2019re marketing a hair salon. There are probably several others in your area \u2013 so what makes yours special?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have tablets with a selection of kids\u2019 movies to keep kids from wiggling around and getting bored while their hair is being cut, that\u2019s something that sets you apart from the other options available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, your marketing should focus on why a potential customer should choose you. What do you offer that nobody else does?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that your unique sales proposition doesn\u2019t have to be complicated. You might simply have the lowest prices or the longest business hours. Whatever it is, though, make sure to highlight it in your digital marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3: Develop an Unforgettable Brand<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens when you combine the first two items on this list with memorable graphics and a unique voice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have an unforgettable brand \u2013 something that defines your company and its products and imprints them indelibly in your target audience\u2019s minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common for small businesses to make the mistake of thinking that their brand is just their logo. But let\u2019s face it, Nike\u2019s brand is about much more than that distinctive swoosh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take a minute to look at Nike\u2019s website or Facebook page \u2013 or any of their marketing \u2013 what you\u2019ll notice is that they have a consistent brand that\u2019s associated with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n