WHY IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE NORMAL

Normal Business Produces Normal Results

What challenges do you face as you promote your company online?

• Are you unsure of how to reach your audience?
• Do you find growing your list a complicated task?
• Do you find it difficult to obtain leads?
• Are you maintaining your business as normal? You know... Following the rules, always using "best practices", or reaching back to the experiences that were learned in your past 9 to 5?

Sadly, there is no room for small business owners wishing to be normal. Business as usual leads to mediocre results. So I ask you. What can you do to make your brand more distinct? Here are 3 tips to help your brand stand out:

1. Network
Typically, we turn to others in our industry to find out what has worked for them. Financial professionals visiting an event regarding finances or photographers visiting an event for photography. And that is OK. Just not all the time. Being new to the world of networking, I have discovered the benefits of visiting events that involve small businesses professionals of various fields.

A room of like minds with many ideas as well as the opportunity to make many connections.

I have really been able to expand my own business while networking with individuals with unique businesses. As I learned more about my ideal customer's struggles, I have been able to tailor and expand my services.

​2. Be Like The Big Companies
Another way to step out of the norm is to watch what the big companies are doing. Have you shopped the Dollar store or the Bulk Barn? Notice that they are always prepared for national celebrations months in advance? In August a very small section will be dedicated to Halloween. By September, it's an entire row! December 24th, you will find a small section for Valentine's Day. Three weeks later it's Valentine's in 2 rows.

What if you were that strategic in your planning? When I create online strategies for entrepreneurs, they are built around upcoming goals that allow a business to grow and see measurable results. For example, I am working with a professional DJ who would like to be booked for the spring. It's December and we are connecting his social media platforms to event planners while using hashtags such as #torontobride and #torontoweddings.

3. Find Out What Your Customers Want
​Be a step ahead by asking questions. Conduct surveys and find out from your current customers what their struggles are. What type of service would they like to see?

My husband was shopping for a gift card for his neice. She LOVES Bubble Tea. He visited 5 different Bubble Tea franchises and asked if they carried gift cards. The answer was no, but they all totally thought that it would be an amazing idea. I wonder who will be the first to implement this service.

Normal business produces normal results.

This is your time to be creative and think outside of the box.
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The fact that you are an entrepreneur who runs their own business makes you awesome!