4 Simple Ways to Make Your Small Business Stand Out
Whether you run a small local business or you’re in the early stages of a startup that you intend to take national, small businesses have a lot of constraints—and it can be hard to stand out from the pack. But you can change that. From business e-cards to a virtual executive assistant, here are four simple, cost-effective ways that your business can shine.
1. Send business e-cards. Many starting businesses make the critical mistake of not reminding clients, investors and customers of their relationship at holidays and special occasions. This is understandable, since sending out cards to dozens of clients—or thousands of customers—can be expensive. It’s also a time consuming task for a smaller business that needs its staff focused on the work at hand. Business e-cards are a perfect solution. People have grown accustomed to receiving holiday wishes as e-cards, and the animated, lively cards can often outshine traditional paper ones. In fact, receiving business e-cards can be an office-wide event for your clients, as co-workers urge each other to check their email and see the clever, creative cards you’ve sent out. As a bonus? These cards cost less to send and don’t involve putting together a time-consuming mailing. In fact, they are so affordable and easy you can send them out throughout the year—at Memorial Day, Halloween, and any other day you’d like to commemorate.
2. Have 24-hour customer service from the start. Many smaller businesses feel limited by a small staff size and tight budget. If your business needs a customer service component, you may only have someone answering the phone during business hours. Unfortunately, this is far from the only time your customers will needs help—and they deserve better. These days, you can easily outsource customer service to a skilled third party provider. These companies will provide phone, email and live chat support 24/7—for a fraction of the cost of hiring staff.
3. Be available anywhere. Startup founders and small business owners often find themselves with three different phone numbers, and working on the go more days than they are in the office. This can make it hard for key clients, investors or staff to get a hold of you. Get a virtual phone number or a full virtual service instead. Now you will have one number that goes to all of your phones wherever you are—and that you can put on Do Not Disturb mode when needed.
4. Get a virtual assistant so you can focus on clients or investors. Think executive assistants are only for Fortune 500 CEOs? Think again. Having an assistant means getting rid of the day-to-day minutiae that devour so much of a founder’s attention. You don’t need to hire someone full time or even part time—book an experienced virtual assistant and use them on an hourly basis when you need them most.
These are just a few ways to make your business outshine others during those vital early years. What other tips do you have?