In a sea of big-box competitors, it can be really hard for small businesses to stand out amongst the pack. However, if the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that consumers are ready and willing to support Aussie businesses by shopping small and local – they just need to know about your business! Apart from your offering and great customer service, standing out is all about how you promote your business and connect with customers. And 2022 is the year we’re seeing businesses level up through social, branding and more.
Here are my five tips to make your business stand out this year.
Establish your brand
Your brand is your business’s personality. It shows your customers who you are and what you stand for and having a distinct brand is a sure-fire way to stand out amongst competitors. There any many things that can make up your brand, including visual elements like your logo and colour palette. And then there are the more subtle details like your tone of voice and customer experience. Make sure these feel unique and authentic to you and that they’re consistent. Take some time to explore what your brand is and then lean in – it’ll set you apart from everyone else.
Step up your social game
Social platforms are a great way to connect with customers and reinforce that brand identity you’ve built. Beyond posting updates about your products and services, you should give customers a peek inside your business – behind the scenes content is great and videos and animation really stand out while people are scrolling. And the good news is you don’t have to be a pro to create these – there are online tools, like our free VistaCreate platform that let you easily customise ready-to-go templates.
Design your dream website
If the pandemic showed us anything, it’s that an online presence is more important than ever. Aside from being a place to sell your products and services, a website can help you tell your business’ story, keep customers up to date and most importantly, get you found. Shoppers are constantly discovering small businesses online and if you aren’t there, a competitor will likely get that business instead. You don’t need too many bells and whistles to create a great website. It’s best to focus on an easy-to-use interface and good photography and imagery. Humans are visual creatures and a good-looking site makes all the difference in standing out.
Make your merch unforgettable
With tradeshows and markets slowly making a comeback post-Omicron, now’s the time to think about how you’ll stand out at these events. Business cards and flyers are classic event marketing essentials, but if you truly want to be memorable, create a takeaway item they’ll want to keep. T-shirts, tote bags and water bottles are all things people use everyday and if your branding is front and centre your business will stay top of mind. The key is making sure they look good – don’t be afraid to reach out to a designer for help or experiment with fun symbols and phrases related to your business.
Amp up your in-store experience
While an online presence is essential, brick-and-mortar retailers shouldn’t neglect their in-store experience if they want to stand out. Think about what spaces your business has that it can brand – an enticing shop front turns window shoppers into customers. Your checkout counter is a great spot to make a connection with customers. Your customer service will play a role here, but you can also utilise your branding and collateral. Hand out loyalty cards to entice repeat visits or thank you cards encouraging your customers to leave reviews and share their experience on social.
