In the past, just a few years ago perhaps, it was easier to stand out from the crowd when you opened up a new business. Today, many people choose to take this route, and there are hundreds of new businesses starting up each day. Some will be successful and others won’t, and it is often down to being able to show that you are different from the competition that can give you your successes or failures.
Therefore, you need to find your USP or unique selling proposition. This is the thing that sets you apart from the rest, that you can do better than anyone else and that you are most proud of. Once you know what it is, you can use it in all of your marketing, and ensure that your customers are happy every time they use you. If you’re not sure what your USP is, here are some tips on finding it.
Think Like A Customer
You know your business well, but although that’s a good thing when it comes to selling your products and services and running the business itself, it might not be so useful when it comes to finding your USP. You are so close to everything that you might not even realize what it is that you are doing differently and brilliantly. This is why you need to think like a customer and try to look at the business in an objective way. Once you can do that, you will soon see where you are doing well, and where you could do better.
Although price will have something to do with people’s choices, it isn’t usually the only factor, so simply lowering your prices might not have the effect you are looking for, and this is why you need to look deeper.
Know Why People Buy
Something else that will help you discover your USP is understanding why your customers buy what they do; what is it that motivates them? Customer surveys and more in-depth market research can help you to find out the answers to these questions, and once you do know, you can make sure that your USP fits in with what people are expecting. For example, if they buy from you because your online store is safe and secure and they can trust you, make sure you keep this up and have a data recovery plan in place from Secure Data Recovery Services just in case. If they buy from you because your customer service is exceptional, ensure that all new members of staff are trained in the same way. Inconsistency, especially when it is something as important as your USP, will push people away.
Be Memorable
Being memorable for all the right reasons means that people will be much more likely to come back to you, or let other people know about your business in the future. If you can determine what it is that makes people remember you, such as your logo or a particular product, or the style of your store, then you are close to finding out your USP.
