9 HOW TO STAND OUT
When it comes to advertising your business in 2018, you need to do things that will help your business to stand out. This is not always the easy option for a business. No matter if your business is a local service or an online based business, you need to stand out from the competition if you are going to generate sales and be successful.
In this chapter, we give you a wide range of ways to stand out. Use those that work best for your business.
#66: GET ON TELEVISION
No matter what your business is, get on television to promote it. However, you do not have to do this through a direct ad. Find a news story that you are an expert on. For example, if there was an explosion of natural gas in your local area, contact your local news program and tell them you would love to come on and talk about, the risks of natural gas and how to prevent it from happening.
#67: GET ON RADIO
Do the same thing as you did for television on the radio. Find a way to connect with others in this way.
#68: OFFER LOCAL DISCOUNTS
To stand out from the rest, offer a local discount. Have it advertised on commercials on television or radio. Many local markets are now doing a 50 percent gift card promotion for local businesses. Those who visit the website get a gift card for $25 with a value of $50 in services. Chances are good they will spend far more than this.
#69: WRITE FOR THE PAPER
One of the best ways to gain stature in a local market is to write a column or an article in a local paper. For example, if you are an attorney for bankruptcy, write an editorial piece on the struggles of locals who are considering bankruptcy. This piece then serves as a way to distinguish you as the best professional to work with.
#70: AVOID THE GRAPHICS, BUT GO BIG
When it comes to getting the attention of those on the web, some websites place long graphic features at the front of their website that visitors have to sit through to get to the website. Avoid this. Rather, proudly show your benefit to your client’s right on the front page of your website.
#71: DO GO FOR MEDIUM
Have you visited a website in which there was a figure of a person who starts speaking to the website visitor? This person is an ideal tool to use to help your business to show customers how to navigate your website or how to interact with you.
#72: FOCUS ON LIVE CHAT
Another way to really impress your guests is by using software that allows for them to interact with a customer service representative right away, right on the website! A good way to do this is to use an internal instant messaging service. For example, you are a heating repair technician. The client comes to your website to find out if they should have someone come out. They can chat with a representative of your business to find out if it is a good idea or if they just need to press the reset button first.
#73: OFFER A FREE SERVICE
One way to stand out from the crowd is to give something away to the customer. For example, while the other guy is charging clients for something, you can offer it for free. Perhaps estimations are free. Perhaps you are offering a free eBook with a purchase or a free eBook for signing up for a newsletter. Find a way to offer something free that the other person is not. Value and discounts are important in 2018.
#74: EXPAND YOUR SERVICE AREA
If you can expand your online business into international markets, do so. It is now easier for businesses to communication across seas and you should invest the time it takes to build a business in this way if it makes sense for your particular business. In 2018, the world gets even smaller as it becomes easier for you to communicate with those around the world who want to do business with you.
The bottom line is that you do need to find a way to stand out from the rest. If you can do that, your business will be a success.