Stand Out Strong in the Marketplace

Is Your Business Unique?

Do a few Google searches for your niche. It may shock you how many results appear on the page—even local ones! There are tons of companies trying to make it big in the service industry. Even if you've been around for decades, you still need to convince customers you're the best choice to solve their problems.

Developing a unique focus and message with a core difference is a must. Read that again—the secret is "unique." For example, plumbers are a dime a dozen. They all offer the same essential services. The ones rising in the ranks do things differently, and so should you. Ask yourself these questions: 



• What does your company do that's better and different than the others and that your customers actually appreciate? 

• What makes you worth the money, how do you make your customers life easier and better?  How do you save them time and hassles in the long run?

• How do you solve client problems, do you REALLY understand what they value and think about in relation to what you do? Do you know what frustrates them? Do you know what type of communication they appreciate?

• What message helps you convert a conversation into a sale? What do folks say in their reviews about you? Have you asked your customers how you could be better? These types of things and more can give you some insight into what you should be saying to potential customers, hint, it’s probably far different than what you think you should say. The good news is it’s probably more simple than you think to really stand out and get far more business. But you have to live it each day in your business.

You must brand your company as unique in your focus on what the customer really wants. Do they really want reliability? Then how can you BE more reliable? Do they really want responsiveness and a guarantee? Then how can you be more responsive and formulate some type of guarantee you can stand behind? 

You need to think in outcomes for your customer. Identify any unique services you offer or continuity programs tailored to the outcome your customers actually want. For instance, do you provide a maintenance membership to prevent costly repairs in the future? Let everyone know! Not only will these types of services draw in new customers, but they will also bring in recurring business and happier customers that tell others about you. 

Update Your Company Website — and Make It Personal

When was the last time you updated your service business website? Having a fully functional website with well written content that positions your unique approach and covers every service you want to do is non-negotiable. It will drive more business than anything else. Websites are kind of a big deal—92% of customers visit the website first before making a purchase. People will find you by searching, just like they used to in the phone book, by a keyword. What do you want to be found for? How will you stand out when they do?

Your service business website is more than a place to list an address and phone number. It needs to present your brand's story in a way that your customers understand, and you should make it interesting and unique to you. Show them your team, your offices, your facility and tools. Don’t put up stock photos that are clearly not you and your team. People will buy you, and the more clear it is, the more likely to get the sale. Once again, it should be unique. Other elements to include in your website are:



• Unique positioning statement
• Custom photos
• Intriguing videos
• About us page
• Services provided
• Brand logo and slogan
• Uniform color scheme

Copying and pasting another company's content is never acceptable (and you will get caught!). Instead, build everything from scratch. Design it all from your perspective. Do you stand for on-time service? Make it known! Do you offer same-day appointments? Add it in bold caps on each page. Did you start the business to honor a family member? Use the story to tug on their heartstrings. The more relatable and honest your story, the more customers will trust your brand.

A Little Branding Goes a Long Way

National service businesses put a lot of emphasis on branding, and local companies should take note. Think of any national or regional company in your niche. Can you picture their logo? Maybe a slogan or jingle pops into your head. If you remember it, their marketing worked.

Branding makes companies stand out from their competitors. You want a name that customers will recall easily. It should be catchy without sounding cheesy. Strive for branding that reflects your message. Plus, don’t be afraid to rebrand as necessary. Dated branding will make your company seem out of touch with today's needs.

Highly effective branding:



• Defines your brand's strategy and message
• Doesn't feel cheap or inauthentic
• Differentiates your brand
• Connects to your target audience
• Is consistent across all platforms
• Elevates the customer

Once you decide on a unique message and distinct branding, be sure to create (and update) some social media profiles. Post engaging content that supports your brand's message to gain online awareness and attract new customers

Gain Some Online Traction with Reviews

Do you ask customers to leave reviews? If not, you're missing out on a ton of visibility—and revenue! B2B consumers place a lot of value on reviews. Over 90% read reviews before hiring a company for the first time. Local organic reviews can increase traffic tremendously. You want a solid presence across the web. 

Reviews are vital whether you own a B2C or B2B service business. Positive reviews increase credibility and trust with clients, ultimately helping your business grow.

Never Underestimate the Power of Referrals and Strategic Partnerships

Word of mouth (WOM to the cool people out there) is one of the most powerful marketing tools you'll ever use. But many service businesses also overlook it. Instead, they spend thousands—or more—dollars on flashy online ads, printed materials, and television spots. What if you could gain even more traction for practically nothing?

Here are the three key elements of a successful WOM campaign:

• Engage. Listen to what your clients say during every step of the process. Acknowledge their problems and provide an acceptable solution. If they have any concerns, address them and make changes. They'll want to share this positive engagement with others.

• Equip. Make clients want to brag about you to everyone they know. Provide top-notch service, friendly technicians, and incredible stories to stir up excitement surrounding your service business.

• Empower. Encourage your clients to share their experiences with others. Tell them how much you appreciate their business and want to hear their honest opinions. This tactic builds trust and empowers customers to talk about your company.

Referrals are the easiest leads to convert—they already trust you. Not getting any referrals? Then something isn't working in the marketplace. Want to achieve 5x more sales than you did with paid media advertising? WOM should be the first DO NOT PASS GO phase in your marketing. After all, it drives 13% of consumer sales.



Always Focus on Customer Experience

Here's a tough pill to swallow: You could spend a small fortune on jaw-dropping branding, have a professionally designed website, hire the best talent, and still not attract new clients. How is that even possible? It all boils down to customer experience.

Customer experience is the backbone of every successful service business, and it takes some massaging to get just right. Every company action affects it, from communication to response times to first-time fix rates. It's up to you to make it all run smoothly.

What do clients want? Reliable, streamlined, prompt, and effective service. Doing things the same as you did ten years ago won't cut it. It's time to adopt technology to improve customer perception.

Ask yourself this question: Are you using your CRM, service software, and other automated tools to leverage your team and provide better, more accurate service at every touchpoint? If the answer is no, then it's time to start.

Unlike what you read in science fiction novels, automation doesn't replace your skilled technicians with robots, but it does let them focus more on their primary job. They won't waste countless hours updating logs or sending out service reminders. Instead, they'll be where you need them most—at a worksite. 

The benefits of operational software are endless. Automation reduces human error, speeds up service, and improves communication among all employees. Customers won't have to answer the same questions whenever a new technician arrives. And you'll never worry about showing up without the right tools for the job. Your team can access all the info they need from a single, secure network.

Stand Out of the Crowd with Standout Results

Are you tired of blending in with your competitors? Standout Results wants to take your service business to the next level. We offer a full range of solutions designed to elevate your company. With us on your side, we can help you grow revenue, increase profitability, become scalable, retain customers, and amplify sales. Whether you are new to the industry or have decades of experience, we'll design a strategy guaranteed to exceed your wildest expectations.

Excited to take the first step towards success? Get in touch to discover how we can make your service business stand out in the marketplace.