The way we think about our goals can sometimes be limited by what we see around us. We tend to base our actions and goals on what we see and, more specifically, on competitors. There isn’t an issue with checking out your competitors but what’s to say what they are doing is right? or if it’s actually working.
One of the best things you can do as a business owner, whether you are a small business or corporate entity, is to tell a story.
Your Story is your brand
Sometimes the best way to differentiate yourself from competitors is being you. Whether you’re a coffee shop, autobody shop, dentist, brewery, restaurant, and so on, you could have the same offerings, but what makes you different could be your story.
So you might be asking what that means, right?
If you’re into sports or fitness, showcase those ideas in your marketing and in your shop if you have a physical location.
Use your interests to help incorporate your product or service.
Now it’s not to say that you should go around talking about multiple things but take one idea and run with it.
Incorporate the idea into your marketing material, such as website content like a blog or on your social media content.
By connecting with people on an emotional level, you can attract people to your product or service. That story you begin to tell starts to become your brand, and having an identity will allow you to differentiate yourself from the competition.
Marketing done the right way
Your story is everything when it comes to marketing. You want your content to connect with your audience. People are always looking for things that are going to keep them engaged. So keep them engaged!!
We live in a world where “different” can be seen as “wrong.”
Why not change it up and create content surrounding your brand.
You might be thinking, “I don’t have a brand.”
Every business is a brand in itself, but most businesses don’t know who they are, so it’s hard for them to create content that their audience will like. Exploring who you are isn’t easy, and some ideas might work while others won’t.
The problem with thinking like a small business
Every business owner is different, but most business owners hesitate to invest in marketing for their own business.
The most common things that come up are
-We are a small business and can’t afford it
-We are local, so why should we spend on marketing
-We have tried it, but it didn’t work
Why wouldn’t you want to take over a neighborhood, a city, or a county. Make your place of business a destination that people will travel to visit regardless of where they are from. Make it so good that people start to talk online.
But how are people supposed to find you if you don’t let them know what you do.
If you don’t give it a shot at the end of the day, you won’t know what could happen.
You might be local, but why not take over the world, one neighborhood at a time!
