5 Ways A Small Business Can Leave A BIG IMPRESSION
Let's face it, standing out in the Small Business World is hard.
You can be the best at what you do in your field, whether a service based business, technology based, general contracting or even a dog waste cleaning service, it doesn't matter. Being good at what you do can only get you so far.
When business slows down, or customers are in the "Awareness Stage" of the Buyer's Journey and there are just too many options - Just saying "I'm good at [INSERT WHAT YOU DO HERE]" won't cut it.
If they don't know you or your business, they will see a vast sea of your competition saying the same thing.
A small business needs to make a BIG IMPACT quickly to reel in those customers who are still deciding on a solution to their pain point or problem.
Below is a short list of methods you can use to stand out from the crowd and get that client who'd on the fence to jump on over to your side of the client getting yard. Excuse the bad “on the fence”.
Research Your Competition, Be what They Aren't
Do they have a professional looking website? No, then create a comfortable and engaging website that gets customers contacting you
Are they on social media or have a good portfolio of work done? No, then focus on building an online presence and a portfolio with good pictures or records of the work you have done.
Check their reviews, Do they have reviews that say some things clients wish they were better at? Ex: hard to communicate with, late to appointments, not great customer service? Look carefully at their reviews, be determined to be the best in your field, and use systems to ensure that you meet your customer’s standard of excellence.
If You Want to Be The Best, Befriend The Best
Even though you're trying to be better at what they aren't great at, that doesn't mean you can't play nice with other businesses in your field of work. Reach out to the best of your competition, meet them and let them know you work well with others and are up for collaborating.
In fact, if you're honest and friendly, you may be able to set up a referral network (or become part of our awesome growing network.) with them and others in your area. This will make sure that your name is on their tongues. So if they can't help a client, they will mention that you can! This way, you and your business are known as part of the local business community.
Another way to be the go to guy for your competition is to offer something different then they offer. Connect and tell us what you think is missing in your industry, and….
Be Unique, Stand out, Offer Something New
Besides focusing on providing what your competitors lack as far as service goes, try finding an area of your business that is a niche. That means finding an undeserved part of your field of work and making that your specialty. Ex: Can you leverage cutting edge IoT offerings to provide your customers with something that your competition hasn’t thought of yet, or focus on being environmentally and socially conscious in your service? If it is different then what competitors use or can provide a better, faster, smoother experience for the customer, then that will help you stand out.
Provide More Than Awesome Service, Leave a Lasting Memory
Besides the obvious tip of providing stellar service when you do get a client, give them something to remember you by! Some good examples would be a well crafted thank you email, a gift with your info on it that they'll keep, a memorable postcard, etc. are all good ideas. I have seen success from sending a well crafted email with the before and after pictures if applicable, or sending a postcard with a very nice after photo of whatever was serviced. The next time they need it done again, they'll look at that postcard on the fridge and remember who made their car, windows, house look amazing. That's you! The key here is to automate your customer retention efforts so you don’t have to think about it, and it just gets done as part of your natural processes.Always remember to follow up! Keep in touch with timely NOT SPAMMY emails that either inform them about something having to do with your business or service, or if you have permission, check in on them by phone. The point is not to be pushy or always trying to hard sell them on more services. You want to actually care about your customers, and provide them with enough info that they see you as their expert for whatever service you provide, and that they genuinely like working with you. You will stand out in no time! (If you need help with how to word your emails, or an email marketing strategy, we'd love to help.)
Appear BIGGER than you are
More than looking like a Big Business, you want to look Well Established. Well established companies look more professional, sound more professional, and have corporate offerings for their clients. Consider having a copywriter review and edit your language and make sure you offer corporate level offerings.
Now more than ever you can make yourself more established through technology. I have seen many small businesses Wow their clients by having professional business cloud based phone services. which will give you an advanced phone answering service that can be customized any way you like. This professional edge adds massive amounts of credibility to your business over the traditional cell phone business line. I have heard many small businesses complain about adding another communication method and cost to their operations, but for what you receive in way of customization and credibility to clients it is money well spent and actually quite affordable.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools are essential to keeping sales and client interactions straightforward. The basic level of Hubspot marketing is free and comes loaded with awesome email and marketing features that can take your business to another level professionally.
Alright let’s summarize, and stick around for a sweet reward for reading through this till the end!
Create a comfortable and engaging website With a hyper local online presence and a portfolio. Put together multiple systems into an online presence to ensure that your business meets the customer’s standard of excellence. Set up a referral network with other like minded businesses. Think about what is missing in your industry and fill the gap with cutting edge IoT offerings, products or focusing on a niche within your industry. Automate customer retention efforts with email marketing and gifting methodologies tailored to your business, possibly using CRM technology.
This strategy is how we have taken clients from struggling to fit in within their industry, fighting for status quo, to being THE GO TO for a specialized niche and well known and loved by clients.
You can see why our small business clients comment often on the feedback they get from their clients saying "wow, I thought you were this big crew! I didn't know it was just you", and that is the point.
If all these suggestions seem daunting to implement, fear not, you have the help you need!
Straightforward LLC is a technology design firm that’s focus is on all things business development. We’re driving the push towards using technology to help small businesses and government agencies work more efficiently and effectively. From finely tailored CRM and digital marketing strategies, to copywriting and website design help, Straightforward is ready to help you put these great strategies into action in your business.
Now, I said that I had a sweet offer for you to say thank you for reading through this. So here it is, Click here to find out how to get your Small Business CRM system tailored to your business for FREE.
This is one of those essential tools that help you make that BIG IMPACT that we have been learning about here, and the beginning of a healthy business back-end. Let’s chat about it.
Look out for our next helpful tips email, until next time!
Lance P.
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