The service industry is a “contact sport“… no matter which niche you find yourself in. Your competition is always working to win over your customers and you must be ready to compete to stay in the game and keep your brand alive.
And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a skilled craftsperson, a talented artist, or a specialized freelancer, you’re going to face stiff competition from others who also want your share of the available target market.
But then, competition is never a sign to retreat; it’s an opportunity to refine your offers, sharpen your edge, and stand out in a crowded marketplace.
In this blog post, we’ll share strategies that will help you thrive and stay ahead of the competition.
1. Understand Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
Your Unique Value Proposition is what differentiates you from others in your industry.
It’s what makes people see your brand or logo and know immediately… “this is XYZ’s brand“. It is why they should pick you over someone else.
But then, defining or clarifying your value proposition can be difficult sometimes, especially in a niche where everyone offers similar services. One way you can do this is to ask yourself:
- What do I offer that others don’t?
- How does my work solve a specific problem or fulfill a particular need for my clients ASAP?
- What makes my brand, technique, or approach different?
Once you have a clear UVP, incorporate it into all of your branding and marketing efforts. This way, you can always show prospects why you are… you, no matter what medium they meet your brand.
2. Invest in Your Brand Identity
In a crowded market, a strong brand identity can make all the difference. Your brand is more than just a logo, a name, or a tagline—it’s the overall impression you leave on prospects whenever they associate with your brand. With branding, the following can make or break your brand:
- Visual Branding: Ensure your logo, website, and product packaging are professional, consistent, and reflective of your brand’s personality.
- Storytelling: Don’t be afraid to share your story with prospects, bringing them into your journey. After all, people connect better with brands they can relate to.
- Customer Experience: From the very first moment a prospect reaches out to you and becomes a customer… to the project process, and final completion, every interaction should reinforce your brand’s values.
3. Hone Your Craft and Stay Innovative
Quality is vital in the service space. Consistently delivering top-notch work will help you cement the reputation you want your branding to communicate. But don’t stop there:
- Innovation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your craft. Whether it’s combining tried and tested techniques with modern ones, introducing a new service (or product), blending traditional methods with modern techniques, or introducing a new product line, innovation can set you apart from your competitors.
4. Build Strong Relationships
Building important relationships can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. Here are the types of relationships that can benefit your brand:
- Customer Relationships: Go above and beyond to delight your customers. Personalized “thank you” notes, follow-up messages via text or social media, and loyalty discounts can turn a one-time buyer into a lifelong customer.
- Industry Connections: Connect with other artisans, suppliers, and influencers in your niche. This can be particularly helpful if you operate in a niche where you need complementary services from other artisans.
5. Utilize Digital Marketing Smartly
In today’s world, having a strong online presence is a must. Here’s how to maximize your digital marketing efforts:
- Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, X, and Facebook to showcase your work, tell your story, and connect with your audience.
- SEO and Content Marketing: Create a website or blog where you can share valuable content related to your craft. Optimize your site for search engines to make it easier for potential customers to find you.
- Email Marketing: Build an email list and send regular newsletters with updates, exclusive offers, and behind-the-scenes looks at your process.
But then, creating a website… isn’t that going to cost you $$$? And even if you decide to learn the skills you need to set up a fully functional website, this can take months to learn and implement. Your business doesn’t have months to wait.
But Workstedi provides an easy solution for this. You won’t need to set up a website, pay a professional, or spend months getting this part of the strategy up and running.
All you need to do is register on Workstedi to set up your business account and you can get access to a platform that:
- Lets you advertise your offers and services FOR FREE.
- Gives you access to a suite of tools specially designed to grow your business.
- Helps you connect with prospects anywhere in the world.
6. Offer Exceptional Customer Service
As the popular saying goes… “The Customer is always right“, and even when they are not, always work towards providing amazing customer service. Here, we say you should:
- Be Responsive: Answer inquiries quickly and professionally.
- Resolve Issues: Handle complaints or issues calmly and quickly. A satisfied customer can turn into a repeat customer, even after a hiccup.
- Provide Extra Value: Consider offering a satisfaction guarantee or complementary products/services to enhance the customer experience.
7. Price Competitively but Wisely
Pricing is a tricky aspect of competition. Undercutting your competition isn’t always the best strategy, as it can devalue your work. So instead:
- Understand Your Costs: Ensure you cover all your costs, including materials, labor, and overheads, while still making a sensible profit.
- Communicate Value: If your prices are higher, make sure your customers understand why (remember what we said about your value proposition and brand?).
- Consider Tiered Pricing: Offer products or services at different price points to cater to a broader audience.
8. Seek Feedback and Adapt
The market is always changing, and so should you. Regularly seek feedback from your customers and peers to understand what’s working and what’s not. Use this feedback to:
- Improve Your Offerings: Tweak your products, services, or customer experience based on what your customers really want to see.
- Adapt to Trends: Stay flexible and open to change. If you notice a new trend or a shift in customer preferences, be ready to adjust your approach.
Conclusion
Competition is part and parcel of business, dare I say, part of living. And while it can be stressful from the start, it is also a great opportunity to grow and push yourself to new heights.
Knowing how to position your brand, UVP, and keeping your finger on the market to figure out what your customers truly like can help you stay ahead of the competition and build a successful, thriving business.
