A 6-Step Guide to Standing Out in a Crowded Marketplace

Consumers are increasingly turning to small businesses for bespoke products and tailored services. With so many businesses to choose from nowadays, it can be a challenge to make yours stand out.

In addition to countless other businesses, there's competition from enterprises with more funding behind their already well-established brands. Finding your niche in this crowded marketplace can be frustrating, so what can you do to stand out?

Here are five ways you can start standing out in the marketplace today.

1. Find Your Niche

Finding your niche in the market and becoming the best at it is the first step in standing out. If you haven't done so yet, set aside some time to conduct fresh, thorough market research that can reveal: 

• Which undiscovered audience could your business cater to?

• What problems need solutions that your business could provide?

• Where do gaps exist that your product or service can fill?

The answers to these questions can help you frame your place in the market and own it as a one-of-a-kind business.

Tip: Online surveys are better with Hargray Smart Internet Suite, which keeps you covered in an outage. Learn more about this essential service for any size business.

2. Deliver Amazing Customer Service

Amazing customer service will help you stand out in any marketplace. Larger companies often need help to provide the personalized service that a smaller business can, something you can leverage to your advantage.

Whereas a customer at a big brand-name store will likely never meet the CEO, your customers might actually have the opportunity to meet and greet you in person. While face-to-face service is the most personal, it’s important not to forget the value of digital customer service.

Tip: Digital customer service can be as simple as a personalized email or as complex as a social media rewards program. Is your business Wi-Fi in synch with your digital needs? Find out here.

3. Partner With An Influencer

It's true that influencer marketing can be a game changer when it comes to standing out. Partnering with an influencer can boost brand awareness and credibility overnight, thanks to social media platforms with tremendous reach, such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

If your business doesn't have a presence here, it’s time to start tapping the potential. This Guide to Setting Up Social Media Pages for Business can get you started.

Tip: Hargay’s robust and growing collection of business blogs are full of insights you can use to maximize your presence on social. Check them out here!

4. Sell Branded Merchandise

Sometimes the key to standing out is as simple as selling branded merchandise. This doesn’t mean you need to put a logo on everything you sell (not that you can’t)—instead, put your logo on common, everyday products and sell those alongside your goods or services.

Some go-to choices include t-shirts, water bottles and pens, although there are other, more creative options if you’re looking to stand out more. These items become real-life advertisements, and the customers who purchase them become your brand ambassadors.

Tip: Your online store is your window to a world of potential prospects. Keep it running 24/7/365 with Hargray Business Internet that’s reliable and offers personalized customer service .

5. Be a Brand Individual

If you want to stand out, don’t make the mistake of trying to satisfy everyone. A more effective strategy is to develop a brand identity that’s true to your business and makes customers feel unique.

If customers see your brand as just “more of the same,” they’re likely to move on. Unique brands have staying power long after a patron makes a purchase.

Tip: Iconic brands have iconic fans who connect through social media platforms, online reviews, and streaming platforms. Whether it’s Instagram, Google Reviews, YouTube or any digital platforms, stay connected with them—and the world—with Hargray business, phone, and Wi-Fi services. Learn more here.

6. Stay Connected

If the tips we’ve shared throughout this blog post haven’t made it clear, one of the most effective ways to stand out is to stay wired and connected to the world. Hargray is here to help businesses like yours thrive online with the latest technology in business Wi-Fi, phone service, and a host of additional digital services.

We’d love to learn more about what we can do to help you thrive. Connect with us today!