Small Business Advertising And Marketing. How Is It Affected By Your Competition?

The word Competitor means "the same". If you sellmore attentive to your customer, smarter.
fried chicken...the only place you have to think about isYour local small business or retail store can be cleaner,
the other fried chicken places in town.better arranged, more comfortable for your customer,
If you sell vacuum cleaners….the guy selling stereobetter lighting, with better music, ….than anyone else..
equipment isn't your competitor.Your advertising can sell higher end products, with
If you sell ice cream cones, the local grocery store isn'tbetter "bundles" to give better offers. You can
a competitor. Why? They sell ice cream in a box (oradvertise better services, more services, extended
tub)..you sell it in a cone.warranties, easier customer service, faster repairs,
The closer you are to being identical to yourthan anyone else.
"competition" the greater they affect your business.Your "customer experience" can be better. You can
You begin splitting the business the moment youanswer questions, ask about specific needs, make
become the same. Selling the same things, to therecommendations…..better than anyone else.
same market, in the same way…..Competitors.You can be better at almost anything than the guy
But it doesn't have to be this way.down the street. Almost any situation can be turned
You are unique.. Nobody has your personality. Nobodyinto a marketing advantage.
can relate to customers better than a knowledableHad a flood? You had an extended "Flood Sale" didn't
likable retailer or small business owner.you? If the new models are coming out soon, you can
Your small business or local retail store can be unique.have a liquidation sale. There is nearly always a reason
Your advertising and marketing can be unique. Youfor an advertised promotion.
can market and advertise from a completely newYou are unique in every way...you are different in
perspective. You can show your offers in a light theevery way... your store can be better in almost any
customer hasn't seen before.way you choose. Your service can be legendary. The
Your offer can be unique. You can advertise offerscustomer's buying experience can be so wonderful
that the local buyers just can't find anywhere else.that you become the topic of conversation for the
The buying experience in your local retail store or smallnext few days. You can be so good to your
business can be unique.customers that they wouldn't even consider buying
What's the difference between a $7.95 steak dinneranywhere else. You have it withing your power to
at Ponderosa Steakhouse and a $60 steak dinner at amake the customer addicted to the experience of
fine restaurant? Is the meat 10 times better? No. Thebuying from you.
atmosphere, service, music, dinnerware, silverware,Local small businesses are becoming extinct at an
attention paid...are all different. Ponderosa and the finealarming rate. Why? Because they aren't giving the
restaurant don't compete.customers enough solid reasons to buy from them.
You have a personality...that means your retail store orThey buyer's obligation isn't to buy from you. It's your
small business has a personality. That personalityobligation to make the buyer want to buy from you,
doesn't have to be the same as the small businessand nobody else.
retailer down the street. You can be more upbeat,You have no competition.