Lately, standing out from the crowd online feels more complicated. I’ve seen several posts about it recently – especially on the challenges of standing out in the marketing on social media. So, I thought, what better subject for this month’s blog post than helping you do it? Here are four ways you can stand out from others online.
Understand Your “Competition”
I know that my readers prefer community over competition. However, it’s important to remember that when potential clients or customers search for you online, they will encounter other people competing for their attention. So, begin by recognizing that while we want to collaborate and create community, we also have to stand out from those other companies and offerings that compete for our ideal clients’ attention.
So, start by understanding who those people are. Use an incognito tab in Google Chrome to search for others who do what you do. See what search terms bring people to their “doors” and how your keywords can shift in response to it. Also, take some time to browse their websites and learn about their offerings. How do yours differ? Be sure to take plenty of notes to analyze all the data afterward.
Know Your Ideal Clients
What keeps your ideal clients up at night? What are their problems? For example, suppose you’re a spiritual financial coach. In that case, your ideal clients may be Googling something like “how to save money” rather than something more complicated like “setting up a portfolio” (or perhaps it’s actually vice versa!). Think like a beginner and you’ll discover what your ideal clients truly desire.
Do Things Differently
Not only should you use your competitive research to emphasize how you do your work differently than others, but you should also be looking for new ways to connect to your ideal clients’ emotional drives. One of the best ways to do that is through evocative imagery and visuals. You want to help your audience understand what you can bring them, how you can help them, and how they will feel when you work together.
Additionally, try something new. If Instagram feed posts aren’t gaining you much engagement, concentrate on creating great Stories instead. Share your lead magnets on LinkedIn or Pinterest if you haven’t already. A little experimentation will help you in the long run – you’ll discover what works and how to work more efficiently in your business.
Use Social Proof
Have you been on a podcast or guest-written a blog? Be sure to share those events on your social media accounts, website, and email newsletters. Share testimonials and client feedback as often as possible to show how you help people change their lives, businesses, relationships, and beyond.
This social proof will help add value to your brand and help others perceive you as a trustworthy authority in your industry.
I hope these tips help you stand out from the market more easily. Which one will you start with?
