Starting your own business is an achievement in itself that you should be excited about, but it is only the starting point. The next thing you must do is find a way to make it stand out from the crowd. Ask yourself what is different about your business and what you can do to make it remarkable. A genuinely unique company must be your aim!
In this article, we will explore some tips and ideas for making your business stand out from the crowd. We will also look at how to bring the WOW factor to your business. This will, in turn, give you an edge over your competition. Are you ready to get started?
What is the Purple Cow?
Seth Godin came up with the concept of the “Purple Cow.” He observed that after you have been looking at cows for a while, they all basically look the same. They all become familiar, ordinary, and, needless to say, dull and boring. But a purple cow is something that would be very different and indeed quite remarkable. A purple cow would attract attention; it would be the start of many conversations, and it would be a draw for people everywhere. It would not be forgotten almost immediately. That is what you need to stand out from the crowd and rise above the rest- your own version of the purple cow.
The purple cow gives rise to great marketing. It is the art of building something into the product or service that you sell that will be taken notice of by customers. How you market your product is not enough. You can use the fanciest advertising you can think of, but without a purple cow, it will remain invisible. You need to color it purple to get it to jump out and say (or scream!), “HERE I AM!”
Many business owners do not put the principle of the remarkable purple cow to work in their businesses because they do not know how to come up with that really magnificent idea that will blow everyone away. This takes work, and a few people are putting their heads together and coming up with some ideas.
Another reason that you see so few purple cows in the marketplace is that people fear criticism, success, and being disliked by others. If you are remarkable, then you will receive criticism, and it will hurt. There will also be whispers behind your back, and you will not be liked by everybody. But really, who is anyway? Those who stand out in any manner are always more open to ridicule and scrutiny. It is the price you pay to be truly remarkable.
However, according to Seth Godin, the creator of the concept of the purple cow, “In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is failing.” He goes on to say that “In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible.” Being invisible may be safe, but it will not lead to you reaching the top of the mountain. If you want to take a stab at true greatness and excellence, then you must resist the urge to play by the rules and be safe. You must be brave, be bold and not be afraid to be unique. Remember the saying, “No guts, no glory”? It is right on the money!
Set Yourself Up as Different
To stand out from the crowd and be a little bit taller than your competitors, you need to figure out what makes you different. From there, you focus on that and find ways to celebrate it. Your differences will then be the foundation for your unique selling point. To figure out this, you must have a vision for your company. To brand your business, it is essential that you are as straightforward as possible about what your idea is. Ask yourself what is different about your products or services? Once you know what that is, you can then find ways to package your products in a different manner that makes other people say WOW!
Your business plan must include a way to be remarkable. Every business has the ability to do this. Don’t be lazy or make excuses- put work and plenty of forethought into this. After all, practically anyone can open a business or offer a service, but you must go one step further. You need to go the extra mile and put in the extra effort. Don’t put in 100 percent effort but 200 percent. Find your niche and then take the initiative to be you but a you that is different from everyone else. You can sell the same products as 50 other businesses in your area, but you will have the hook that draws customers in.
