Differentiating Yourself From The Competition, But Without Gimmicks

I wanted to publish this as some of my previous clients have gone on to start their own businesses, so I’m hoping it’s useful to you. It’s fair to say that businesses, even those that seem completely different from each other, have to play by similar rules. For example, a service that sells food products to supermarkets for sale, and another company that sells furniture, must still make sure they have liability insurance and stick to regulations to prevent harm among their customers.

In the same way, all businesses can benefit from using a quick and easy EIN filing service to ensure their tax is registered correctly, at least in the United States, or Companies House in the UK. Moreover, some businesses might sit within the same “category,” and that can come with certain expectations. You may have some idea what the most common menu items are in two Italian restaurants at either end of town, for example.

But that brings an expectation and a few questions to answer. Namely - how can you stand out from the competition, but without relying on gimmicks in any way? Let’s consider the below:

Hyperfocus On Your Niche

Every business has something that sets it apart even just a little bit, for example perhaps an Italian restaurant makes pasta fresh each day compared to their competition, but sometimes that gets watered down when you try to cater to everyone or try to be all things to all people on top of that. Instead, think about what your business does better than anyone else and run with it. For instance, perhaps you become known for varied types of handmade pasta and unique combinations not seen elsewhere. You might not attract everyone, such as those wanting the best pizza ever, but the people who do come to you will really value what you offer. And that’s what helps build loyalty over time.

Develop Astrong Promotion

Make sure your promotions feel connected to your core business values and make them risk-free. If you’re in the food industry, maybe you’ll give away a free product sample with each purchase for a limited time, or host a local tasting event, or run a segment where your audience votes on the next flavors out of three, encouraging them to try all of those options. For a service-based business, maybe you offer an exclusive consultation or free trial period, or even just modular discounts if they go for a select package. That way you can ensure signing up or trying your goods is unique and fun, and that can be different from the competition.

Cater To Emotions & Needs Alike

Sometimes, people aren’t just buying your goods or services. They want to buy into a feeling. Think about Apple as an example, as they don’t just sell computers, but they sell the idea of creativity, innovation, and empowerment. If you’re wise, you can apply this thinking no matter what size your business is. So ask yourself - what emotional connection are you making with your customers? Maybe it’s giving them peace of mind because your service is reliable, or maybe it’s using your product makes them feel like part of a community. Lean into that, and you’ll differentiate yourself.

With this advice, we think you’ll be able to stand out from the competition.