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8 ways to stand out from your competition

29/9/2016

If you want to be successful in business, you need to stand out! Be remarkable! Here are 8 ways to help you stand out from your competition:

Make a wish list from your customers’ point of view – what would make your product or service even better? (and better than your competition!). Have a look at your product reviews - they will tell you a lot about what they like and don't like. Then come up with the wish list.
Focus on a niche market that is different from your competition and offer a product tailored to the needs of the customers in that niche.
Who are your best customers? (I mean the ones that LOVE your product, are happy to pay the price you set and tell lots of people about it) How can you get more of them?
Offer better service than your competition (this one should really be at the top!!)
Have a clear point of difference from a customer’s perspective. What are the reasons your customers would recommend you?
Offer a high end (exclusive) version of your product.
Make it easier and more convenient for people to buy or book your product than your competition’s. (that’s good service too!)
Think of ways you could make your product either the best, the cheapest, the most exclusive, the fastest, the slowest, the newest, the oldest, the biggest, the smallest etc. and ensure it’s different from your competition.

Brainstorm the above with your team - you'll be amazed at how you can improve and stand out from your competition!

Till next week, Marijke

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Smartphone photography tips

22/9/2016

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There’s nothing like a great photo to keep your website and social media channels up to date. Smartphones take the most amazing quality photos these days… And the great thing is that you always have it with you!
I found some cool little videos on youtube with tips on how to take great (some very creative!) photos with your smartphone!
Get out there this weekend and take some new pics. Have fun!
Till next week, Marijke

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Here’s how to delight your customers (and get great referrals)

16/9/2016

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I just got back from a wonderful holiday in Vietnam. Apart from great food, interesting culture, beautiful environment, the thing that I probably enjoyed most was the kind nature of the people and the great service we received. (Did I forget to mention the shopping?).

For some people (or nationalities), great service and big smiles come naturally.

Here are a few tips based on my experiences in Vietnam:

Smile and say hello! Most of the people we met smiled at us. Even when we said no when they asked if we wanted to buy something, they remained friendly. Not just that, they actually have a very good sense of humour, which was quite contagious :)
Get to know your customers’ names. Within a day or two, the hotel staff knew my name. How nice and personal is that? It made me feel very special. If you have regular customers or guests, ensure you know their name and show an interest – the ‘emotional connection’ you make will enhance their experience.
Be keen to ‘want the business’. In one place, a lady came up to us asking us where we were from, how long we were there for etc. She obviously wanted to sell us something, but her interest in us and smiles made us go with her to her tailor shop. They showed us testimonials of happy customers and encouraged us to get one item made before ordering more. In the end we got 9 items of clothing made! The service was amazing and that was the reason we stayed with them. At the end of this, they asked us to write a testimonial in their book and on Tripadvisor.
Remember their preferences. In the hotel at the breakfast buffet, the chef remembered what I had the day before. She would also encourage me to try something else, which I did.
Make it easy for your customers to reach you. We’d booked a transfer in a private car. The owner of the business (Mr Tom) sent us a message through a messaging app. Something I hadn’t expected.
Wifi everywhere. Ok, we think we live in a modern country, but in Vietnam wifi really IS everywhere, even in the car used for the transfer from the airport to a town we were staying. Oh, and it’s free! This made it very easy for us to communicate with accommodation places we stayed at etc.
It’s the little things that delight so much… a cold small towel before dinner (it was 38 degrees), cold water in the car, a little treat on the pillow at night (different every night), a concierge taking time upon our arrival to explain where everything was and the things to do, a complimentary cold drink on arrival in the hotel etc. etc.

I can go on, but you get the picture. It has nothing to do with the wealth of the country, it’s to do with the attitude of the people.
So, what can you do in your business to delight your customers?

Till next week, Marijke

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8 ways to stand out from your competition

Smartphone photography tips

Here’s how to delight your customers (and get great referrals)

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