Doc’s Marketing Mojo

What the Oscars teach us about business competition

Competition -a Good Thing!

Oscar fever peaks today, and right up until the last minute, the producers, the stars, the directors and the studios have been engaged furiously in all sorts of activities to get ahead of the competition tonight. Who’s the big winner gonna be? A bunch of blue-skinned aliens or some defusing experts? Or maybe a washed up C&W singer? I, for one, love it. The Yankee Clan Oscar Ballots have been cast, returned and tabulated, and we’re ready to compete for our own Oscar -that crisp new $20 bill to the person with the most correct predictions.

Competition isn’t a bad thing. It adds excitement to sporting events, the Oscars, the Grammys … and yes, it can help businesses refine and perfect themselves, too. Unfortunately, just as in sports,  many businesses fail because they don’t take their competition into consideration.

You have to know your competition; learn everything about them that you can. How, for example, are you similar and what sets you apart? What seems to work for them in marketing and what doesn’t? “What do you offer that they do not?” “What do they offer that you do not?” Once you’ve got that locked down, start thinking about what it is about your business that works.

Once you’ve determined the good Mojo -those positive aspects that set you apart from the competition -you might want to use this info as part of your branding efforts. F’rinstance, what do you tell prospects so that they do business with you and not the other guy?

You start by telling them what it is about your business that makes you the right place to shop.

If you offer free shipping and your competitors don’t, then you should use this as a focal point right up front. If you have a product that your competitor doesn’t, then you should use this too. You may have a customer service team that’s available 24 hours a day, while the other business may only be open during normal business hours. You might offer gluten-free items and your competitor doesn’t. Maybe you offer valet parking. Whatever it is -show and tell what makes you the better place.

The reasons that customers should do business with you need to be clear and concise. Appearing different than the rest is the best thing you can do because it will cause people to remember you in very specific terms -terms that YOU feed them! There should be no confusion of which business you are in a group of businesses that look the same.

>>Your vote, please.

Filed Under: Advertising, Good Business Mojo on March 7

7 Things People Want To Know About Your Company.

"Tell me all about yourself..."

A lot of websites neglect a really important component -the story of your company. And yes, if you’re a one-person band, it really is “the story of you.” Don’t be shy. It has to be told. It’s Good Mojo to give people a better insight into your business, how it was formed, and what you feel passionate about. This will help both your prospects and your existing clients feel connected to your business (and you), by giving them the skinny on where you’re coming from, what you do, and how you do it.

The Doctor recommends that you sit down and put together a brief, readable “About Us” article -heck, even a paragraph or two is adequate -that you can use both on your website and everywhere else it’s appropriate to introduce your company or yourself -or both.

Let’s get the ball rolling and get you in the mood, with a few questions:

1. What is the name of your company?
2. How long have you been in business?
3. Why did you start the business?
3. What area do you serve?
Are you local, regional, national or international?
4. What do you give your clients that no one else can offer?
5. What do you do for your clients, your community, your suppliers, that might be considered remarkable?
6. What’s the best thing about your company?
7. How do we contact you? (List every way possible.)

>Comment on this post.

Filed Under: Good Business Mojo, Marketing Mojo, Tutorials on March 4

Secrets To A Successful Business Blog

I’ve found blogging to be a great marketing tool. It helps me to get information out about Marketing Mojo, allows me to offer business advice and marketing tactics to a large group of people, and helps to establish a tribe of people interested in creating more success for their business.

If you’re looking for a way to take your business to the next level, you might want to consider starting a business blog of your own. Of course, it’s not for everyone. And it’s not the same as a personal blog.

It has its own unique pitfalls and strengths. And here are some of each.

Comment? Love to hear from you.

Filed Under: Blogging Tips, Marketing Mojo, Mojo Video on March 1