It’s never been easier – or harder – to show up in your industry. With the rise of AI-generated content and the digital marketing world, it is easy to get your business out there but its never been harder to truly stand out. Businesses that truly stand out, do so with clarity, consistency, and culture.
Now, with the amazing tools given today to us to help market our business, of course I believe you should still use it so that you can rather focus on what you really want to do with your business. However, with these tools, these three strategies I’m going to share with you will help you develop a unique and distinct brand, identity and to build loyal customers.
- Clarity Over Cleverness
It’s tempting to hop onto a social media trend or try to be witty in your marketing, but clarity and planning always wins. Really focus on the following 3 questions when it comes to your messaging:
- Who you targeting?
- What problem you solve?
- How do you solve the problem?
It’s also important to ensure your message all say the same thing, confidentially.
For example: “I help freelancers create 3-month business roadmaps so they stay profitable and focused.”
- Define & Lead with your Core Values
Your values should be more than a list. It should be more than just what is listed on your website because your website designer told you it looks ‘pretty’ to have it on. Your values and culture should be your guide to every aspect and part of your business and customer experience. From conversations, sales, follow ups, and everything in between. It should be how you respond to complaints, how you respond to competitors or nay-sayers.
Choose 3-5 values that are:
- Clear – don’t worry if it sounds ‘pretty’ but that it is easy or understand and follow
- Actionable – it can be measured or seen in action one way or another in your business
- Communicated – your values should not only be seen on your business walls, social media and through your team but even indirectly through the way you do business – people around you should be able to pick up on your values
When clients see you living out your values through business, they will trust you more and choose to do business with you due to your values aligning with theirs.
- Knowing and Sharing your USP
What makes you not just “better” but different? Your Unique Selling Proposition should answer the following:
- Who exactly do you serve?
- What results do you help them achieve?
- What method or angle do you use that others don’t?
Once you define the above, you can create content and sale messages that cut through the noise – no matter what trends are happening. Your USP should always be in the clients best interest – don’t focus on what you sell but what the client receives. Your USP should play on emotion – not just logistics.
Standing out isn’t about being the loudest or perfect. It’s about being clear, consistent, and culture- driven. Businesses that last and stand out is because they built their business on values, rooted in purpose. Standing out in the noisy business has actually never been easier – because now you have a way to stand out.
