Differentiate Your Company and Yourself

Every company has something to sell. In order to sell or market that product or service we often describe its features, benefits, add-on’s, etc. The fact is that many products and companies are very similar to each other and offer comparable benefits. So how can you make your product, service, or company stand out and above the competition? Buyers purchase from companies and people that they know, like, and trust. Many times in order to land a sale, you may have to differentiate yourself from the competition.

Differentiating Your Company

What distinguishes your company from your competition? You probably sell very similar products that offer very similar benefits for very similar prices-so why should the buyer purchase from your company? Why is your business unique?

Some things to consider sharing with your buyer:

• Perhaps your company is actively involved in the community.
• Your company has been serving your customers for X number of years.
• Your business is family owned and operated.
• Maybe your business is a minority or woman owned establishment.

Differentiating Yourself

Everybody is selling something, so why would someone want to buy from you? Many salespeople are commission based and they earn a stigma that they are “fast-talking salespeople”. Plus, there is always someone else following right behind you trying to get the buyer to purchase something else. The buyer’s time is precious and their dollar is valuable, so convincing them to hear you out can be easier if you can convince them of what differentiates you from the pack. What makes you unique as a person? What do you have to offer outside of your company’s credentials and reputation?

Some things to consider:

• You may share similar interests or hobbies with your buyer (look around their office for clues).
• Perhaps you attended the same Alma mater or fraternity/sorority.
• You may be actively involved in your community.
• You may be an avid networker with a Rolodex full of contacts to refer.
• You may have personality traits that the buyer may find attractive or necessary to close a business deal.  Are you assertive? Anal? Patient? Organized? Hands on? Would any of these characteristics make you more attractive to a buyer? Share them!

So go ahead, share a little about yourself or your company. Differentiating yourself and your company could help you land a sale and it will make you more relatable to your buyer.

Amanda Moore

www.piptampa.com

The Latest Mobile Marketing Application

Today, your customers and prospects are becoming more mobile and depending on their smart phone devices more and more as sources of information. Utilizing a QR Code in your marketing materials will give you an opportunity to reach out to your mobile customers and prospects in a new and efficient way!

What is a QR Code?

A QR Codes is a two dimensional bar code that can be printed on any marketing materials to link printed materials to mobile and Internet marketing efforts. QR Codes can be easily programmed to communicate several types of information. After the receiver scans the QR Code with their smart phone, the bar code will automatically prompt the user‘s phone to launch a website, play a video, automatically enter contact information into contact list, send an email, send a text message, or make a phone call. QR Codes are completely customizable and the possibilities are truly endless. Most importantly, they are trackable and we are able to see how many individuals scanned a specific QR Code and when. This trackability makes QR Codes a valuable (and affordable) response tracking mechanism for all marketing materials.

How does it work?

1. Use a smart phone with Internet access.
2. Download a free bar code reader app (see bottom of article for app suggestions).
3. Scan or take a picture of the QR Code with the reader app.
4. Phone will automatically launch the code’s message or feature.

How to use a QR Code

What can QR Codes do for you?

QR Codes are basically an image, just like any other graphic, and can be placed on any and all marketing materials such as: business cards, fliers, brochures, promotional items, t-shirts, car wraps, signs, posters, direct mail, print ads, and more! They can be used alone to drive traffic to a website or along with a personalized URL or coupon offer to increase response rates. They allow you to:

• Increase response rates (almost anyone who knows about this technology finds it difficult to resist scanning the bar codes).
• Measure the effectiveness of your campaign; different QR Codes can be generated for each individual project and tracked.
• Integrate print, mobile, and Internet marketing with three “touch points” in one printed item.
• Plus, you will be on the cutting edge of a marketing strategy that is still relatively new in the United States.

More Information:

For more information use your smart phone to scan the QR Code at the top of the page (if you need to download an app see the suggestions at the end of this article). If you do not have a smart phone but are still interested in learning more, just click on the QR Code at the top of the page.

Go ahead, give it a try!

QR Code Reader Suggestions

(all apps are free and linked to the image, just click the logo)

iTunes App Store (our favorite is i-nigma)