In the bustling world of business, standing out from the competition is crucial, especially if your prices are higher than those of your competitors. It's not just about what you sell, but how you sell it, who you are, and the experience you offer.

If you're having a hard time defining what makes you different from your competitors when everyone is focused on price, use these ideas! Here are some key qualities and attributes that can help entrepreneurs and businesses shine in the crowded marketplace:

1. Exceptional Customer Service
Providing unparalleled customer service is a significant differentiator. Businesses that invest in training their staff to offer personalized, attentive, and responsive service create loyal customers. This loyalty often justifies higher prices as customers are willing to pay a premium for a seamless and pleasant experience.

Tip: Gather testimonials from customers to show prospects how wonderful your customer service is. Make sure to post those testimonials online, in your email correspondence, and on ads. 

2. Strong Brand Identity
A well-defined and strong brand identity helps in creating a lasting impression. This includes a unique logo, a compelling brand story, consistent messaging, and a memorable customer experience. When customers resonate with your brand's values and story, they are more likely to choose you over cheaper alternatives.

Tip: Define your customer and ensure all communications (marketing, advertising, transactional) have the same tone. This goes a long way in supporting your brand identity.

3. Innovative Products and Services
Innovation is a key driver of differentiation. Businesses that continually innovate and offer unique products or services that solve problems in new ways stand out. Innovation doesn't necessarily mean groundbreaking inventions; it can also be small, incremental improvements that add significant value.

Tip: Customers who are attracted to innovation usually know it comes with a higher price tag. Make sure you are constantly pointing out the ways in which your company centers itself around innovation. 

4. Quality Over Quantity
Emphasizing quality in every aspect of your business can set you apart. High-quality products, attention to detail, and excellent craftsmanship or service provision convince customers that they are getting superior value for their money. This focus on quality often attracts customers who prioritize excellence over price.

Tip: One of the easiest ways to convey quality or quantity is in the presentation of your services and how often you communicate with your customer base. Ensuring you deliver products and services with well throughout packaging (physical and digital) lets them know you've spent a lot of time on ensuring they are satisfied with your products and services. Continually staying in touch means you value them as a client and they won't feel like just a number. 

5. Authentic and Transparent Practices
Consumers today value authenticity and transparency. Businesses that operate with honesty, openly communicate with their customers, and are transparent about their processes, sourcing, and pricing build trust. This trust is a powerful differentiator and can often outweigh price considerations.

Tip: Did you know that customers are starting to rely one 3-star reviews more than 1 or 5-star reviews? Because they want honest reviews and transparency. Don't jump to cover up "negative" reviews and feedback, instead focus on educating your audience. 

6. Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Adopting sustainable practices and demonstrating social responsibility are increasingly important to consumers. Businesses that prioritize environmental sustainability, ethical sourcing, and giving back to the community appeal to the growing segment of socially conscious consumers. This commitment can justify a higher price point and foster customer loyalty.

Tip: Include this on all packaging, promotions, and communications so your customers and prospects don't forget. 

7. Exceptional Leadership and Vision
Strong leadership with a clear vision can inspire both employees and customers. Entrepreneurs who are passionate, driven, and articulate their vision effectively create a sense of purpose and direction that resonates. This leadership inspires confidence and can make a significant impact on customer choices.

Tip: Entrepreneurs, business owners, or even managers can tell their side of the story in how they made the company successful. Customers and partners feel like they've chosen the right company to do business with when they see these types of messages. This is a great time to empower employees to tell their stories, too. 

8. Unique Business Culture
A distinctive and positive business culture not only attracts talented employees but also appeals to customers. A culture that promotes innovation, inclusivity, and a positive work environment often translates into better customer service and a more dynamic business. Customers can sense this positive culture and are drawn to businesses where employees are happy and engaged.

Tip: Google is good at this and they're the first to tell you. Do you provide unique or custom services to our employees? Make sure you tell these stories! 

9. Personalization and Customization
Offering personalized and customizable products or services can significantly enhance customer satisfaction. When businesses take the extra step to tailor their offerings to meet individual customer needs, it shows a commitment to excellence and customer care, making them stand out from competitors who offer one-size-fits-all solutions.

Tip: A recent trend right now is to have an interactive form on your website that gives customers a result as to which product or service pairings are best for them.

10. Strategic Partnerships and Networking
Building strong strategic partnerships and a robust network can enhance a business's credibility and reach. Collaborating with other reputable businesses or influencers can open new avenues for growth and differentiation. These partnerships often bring additional value to customers, enhancing the overall proposition.

Tip: Collaborating and cross-promoting with other businesses can be a low-cost tactic to increase your customer base and drive up business. An example of this would be a hair salon who cross-promotes with a plant store. Same customer base! Different service. An excellent paring! 

11. Convenience
In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is a significant factor. Businesses that make it easy for customers to find, purchase, and receive their products or services stand out. This could mean offering online shopping options, fast delivery services, easy returns, or user-friendly interfaces.

Tip: This era of instant gratification means consumers want more convivence! If you can deliver a product as fast as Amazon then at least send a couple emails to ensure the buyer is still excited while they wait. 

12. Dependability
Customers want to know they can count on you. Businesses that consistently deliver on their promises, meet deadlines, and provide reliable products or services build a strong reputation. Dependability is a key factor that can justify higher prices as it assures customers of the value they are receiving.

Tip: This is another aspect of your service that you'll want to gather testimonials around.

13. Creativity
Creativity sets businesses apart by introducing fresh, original ideas and solutions. Whether it’s through innovative marketing campaigns, unique product designs, or creative problem-solving approaches, businesses that infuse creativity into their operations attract attention and interest.

Tip: Thinking outside of the box is a skillset that is highly coveted. Document examples of times you've come up with a solution that was unique to the industry or to the client. Include those as case studies or blog posts on your website. 

14. Humor
Humor can be a powerful tool in making your business memorable. Businesses that use humor in their branding and customer interactions create a fun and engaging atmosphere. This approach can make your brand more relatable and appealing, setting you apart from more serious competitors.

Tip: It goes without saying, but you definitely want to exclude religion and politics in your humor. Examples of humor, funny puns when you have sales, responding to reviews with self-deprecating humor, a funny story about creating your product or service. 

15. Emotional Connection
Connecting with customers on an emotional level can be incredibly impactful. Businesses that evoke positive emotions—whether through storytelling, exceptional customer experiences, or aligning with causes that matter to their audience—create deep, lasting connections. These emotional ties can justify higher prices as customers feel a personal connection to the brand.

Tip: If I started singing "In the arms of an angel" you'd picture abused dogs needing a safe home. Talk about emotional connection! You don't have to go that far, but brainstorm on this idea: What emotions do your prospects feel right before they realize they need your product/service? And what emotions do clients/buyers feel right after they buy your product/service? Speak to that emotion and build a connection with them. 

In a competitive market, it’s not enough to simply offer a good product or service, especially if it's at a higher price. Entrepreneurs and businesses need to cultivate a range of qualities that differentiate them and add value beyond the product itself.

Embrace your unique qualities, and you'll find that standing out from the competition, even with higher prices, becomes a natural outcome of your commitment to excellence and differentiation.

In the fast-paced world of marketing, staying organized is not just a preference, but a necessity. With numerous campaigns, strategies, and projects constantly in motion, maintaining an organized office space can greatly enhance your efficiency and effectiveness as a marketing expert. Whether you're working remotely or in a physical office, these tips will help you create a workspace that fosters creativity, productivity, and success.

1. Clear the Clutter:
​Before you can truly organize your office, you need to declutter. Remove unnecessary items, old documents, and anything that doesn't serve a purpose. A clutter-free space provides mental clarity and allows you to focus on the tasks that matter most.

2. Invest in Smart Storage Solutions:
Incorporate storage solutions that align with your workflow. Use shelves, filing cabinets, and desk organizers to keep documents, supplies, and materials easily accessible and categorized. Labeling is key to quickly finding what you need, especially when deadlines are looming.

3. Digital Organization is Essential:
​A significant portion of a marketing expert's work happens on digital platforms. Create a well-structured digital filing system for your documents, images, and campaign assets. Utilize cloud storage and project management tools to collaborate seamlessly with team members and clients.

4. Prioritize Your Workspace Layout:
​Design your workspace to enhance productivity. Place your most-used items within arm's reach and keep distractions to a minimum. Consider ergonomic furniture and proper lighting to ensure comfort during long work hours.

5. Set Up Task-Specific Zones:
​Divide your office into zones based on different tasks or projects. For example, have a zone dedicated to content creation with all necessary tools, references, and inspiration at hand. This approach minimizes distractions and mental context switching.

6. Create a To-Do System:
​Develop a reliable system for tracking tasks and projects. Whether you prefer digital tools like task management apps or old-fashioned sticky notes, having a clear overview of your tasks will help you prioritize and stay on top of deadlines.

7. Plan for Inspiration:
​As a marketing expert, creativity is a cornerstone of your work. Dedicate a space for inspiration—a whiteboard for brainstorming, a pinboard for magazine clippings, or even a shelf for your favorite marketing books. Surround yourself with visual cues that ignite your creativity.

8. Implement Time Management Techniques:
​Effective time management is essential for marketing professionals. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or time blocking to structure your workday. Allocate focused time for tasks and schedule breaks to recharge your mind.

9. Regularly Review and Reflect:
​Set aside time each week to review your progress, reevaluate your goals, and declutter your physical and digital spaces. Adjust your organization strategies as needed to optimize your workflow.

10. Embrace Minimalism:
​Less is often more. Avoid overloading your workspace with unnecessary decorations or excessive supplies. A clean and minimalist workspace promotes clarity of thought and reduces visual distractions.

In the dynamic world of marketing, an organized office becomes your command center—a place where you strategize, create, and collaborate effectively. By implementing these tips, you'll be better equipped to manage the demands of your role, deliver outstanding results, and maintain your sanity in the process. Remember, an organized space is a reflection of an organized mind—an invaluable asset for any marketing expert.

I have a magnet on my fridge that says "I don't expect everything handed to me, you can just set it down where ever" and I have those same vibes with the pre-made Reel templates on Instagram. They are super simple to use! You'll want to open these while on your phone because the template option doesn't show on a desktop.  

Click on the Reel to play it, after you've watched it once you should see text pop-up under the play button that says "Watch again on Instagram" - tap on that! Once it's open in Instagram, tap on the video again to open it in full-screen. 

You'll see a "Use as Template" option. Click on that! 

Then use the templated format by tapping on the + signs to add your media! 

Enjoy! Happy Holidays!

Ready for a break after the first round of holiday madness? Try these ideas! 

Hopefully these ideas help you relax and prepare for the rest of the holiday season! Enjoy! 

Not every business is running a sale for Black Friday (and Cyber Monday). And that's ok! However, that doesn't mean that you should stay quiet during this time! You should still be promoting your products and services. Here's why and how. 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday get consumers in the spending MOOD. Take advantage of that by ensuring your products and services are being promoted on social media, via email and sms, and in stores. Stay in front of your audience during this seasonal spending time!

You might be surprised with how many people are NOT looking for a sale, especially with today's economy. A sale is great, but it's not the deciding factor. What is? Experience, quality, and service. Consumers want what they buy to COUNT, to be worth the money. This is great news for those who aren't offering sales on their products and services. But all of that means you need to really tout your benefit statements! Let your audience know exactly what they will get from your product/service and how you make their lives better.

Consumers might be watching Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, but they still have other needs in their lives. Make sure you're still addressing those needs and staying in front of your audience! 

This is not the time to stay quiet! Instead of promote the benefits of your products and services and how you help meet your audiences' needs. 

Boo! OK settle down my little goblins. It’s time to overcome your fears of digital marketing and create a scary-good plan that’s sweeter than pumpkin spice.
​
Digital Marketing is a fear many business owners and entrepreneurs have when launching or growing their businesses. Not knowing where to start can keep you frozen in place. Well don’t worry, like a self-designated tour guide in a haunted house – or that one friend who doesn’t scream at jump scares – I’m going to take you through this scary process one step at a time. 

​I’ve curated an easy-to-follow list of steps you can take to get started with digital marketing. As you move through this list, you’ll start to feel more comfortable and confident. 

If you don’t do this first, I can guarantee that you’ll have to rework steps 2-6 over and over until you get it right. Finding out you’re creating content for the wrong audience or creating content that doesn’t convert, is a tough lesson to learn! And it costs you more time, money, and resources in the end. And honestly, that should scare you the most! So, stick with the order and you’ll come out on top.

Write down the answers to each of these questions. Don’t just think about the answers as you read this. Take the time to write down the answers so you have an actual plan when you’re done with this.

• Where are your customers/clients hanging out?
• What are your customers/clients watching on tv? Buying at stores? Going through in life?
• What would make your customers/clients laugh? What are they scared of? What are their goals? What are their obstacles?
• How will customers/clients buy from you? How can you make it easy for them? How will you process payments?
• What can your customers/clients get for free if they’re not ready to buy yet? What’s a sample or taste they can get of your services or products?
• What can you send to those who haven’t purchased yet, but are signed up for your email marketing/newsletter? Tips? Recipes? Advice? Encouragement? Downloads?
• What does the buying experience feel like to your customer/client? Would you enjoy going through this experience? How can you make it more enjoyable?  
• What will your order confirmation look like?
• What will your customers/clients get from you after they purchase from you? How can you ensure they feel good about their purchase?
• How will you ask for referrals and reviews?

​
​Thinking through these questions will you help you keep goals and priorities in mind as you continue down the list. 

Start with your website. This is your home base. Even if you sell on Amazon and Etsy, you need a website. NEVER rely on a 3rd party site 100% of the time for your sales. You should always be prepared for the bottom to drop out of 3rd party sites. I’m not telling you to not use them. I’m telling you to be ready for the winds to shift, because, my dear, they will. And it can ruin a small business.
​
If you think of your website as a foundation to your business, then you’ll understand that it needs to completely support you and help you reach your goals. You should include:

• Content that’s worth visiting (education, entertainment, encouragement).
• Lead generation forms (grab their contact info before they leave!).
• Information about your products and services and what their first step would be to get started with you.
• An “About Me” page that makes everyone fall in love with you and your company.

​Don’t forget Mobile & SEO:

• Build for the mobile experience first. 72% of those around the world use mobile ONLY and 90% use mobile along with desktop. Ummmm… that’s feeling kind of like it’s almost everyone and their roommate depending on a good mobile experience. Most website-building programs allow you to see what your pages looks like on a mobile phone and will allow you to adjust your design accordingly (without changing the desktop design).
  
• SEO (search engine optimization – how search engines find your site) is very important, but isn’t a hard-to-play game like it’s touted by SEO experts. SEO experts have tons of tricks to help you get search rankings while Google keeps saying “can you just follow best practices, please”. Why do they ask that? Because they’re constantly updating their algorithms to get rid of the tricksters and let the rest of us win. I was around in the early 2000s when a lot of websites got blacklisted and sandboxed and I’m here say … honey, just follow best practices. Start here. This guys is an expert and easy to understand. One more: I really liked this article, too.

Ok! Your foundation is built and ready for the world. Now it’s time to pave roads toward connection. These are all the ways you’re going to reach out and communicate with your audience. These roads are BUILT BY YOU and you control how often you’re communicating via these channels. Who’s going to hop on these roads you’re paving?
​
You audience can consist of:

• Those who are just now finding you and want to learn more
• Prospects who are on the fence
• Loyal customers who love you
• Those who purchased from you, but don’t keep you top of mind

Make sure you’re communicating to everyone! Different roads could have more of one audience than another, so pay to attention to what they respond to and where they are in your sales pipeline.

Roads toward connection could be:

• Email
• Text
• Groups on social media
• Business pages on social media
• In-person meet-ups

Remember these are roads that you’re building on your own. You choose what it looks like, what the experience is, if they walk alone or with you. Take time to think about the experience you want your audience to have.

While building your own road and experiences above, you also need to start reaching out to audiences in their own spaces. Join their conversations and meet them where they are.

Where are your prospects and customers online?

• Social media
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
• Presenting/networking
  • Networking organizations
  • Podcasts
  • Online interviews

It’s important to watch your prospects/customers, find out where they go for connection, and meet them there.

Send everyone back to your website (your foundation) where they can take an action with you. This is called a call to action and it’s sooooo important to growing your sales.

​Calls to action you can use:

• Buy from you
• Signup for newsletter/marketing emails/texts
• Read more information on your website 

Now that you’re putting yourself out there, it’s time to start creating more content. There are so many ways to provide education, entertainment, and encouragement without giving your products and services away for free. If you need ideas for content, I recommend you sign up for Inspire-Starter, a subscription services that gives you ideas every day via text and a monthly content planning worksheet to map out ideas and start creating!

Think about what kind of content you want to create for:

• Social media
• Website
• Articles
• Blog posts

​Re-use content as much as you can! Share your Reels on TikTok and your TikToks in a Reel. Use video for stories as well. Another great idea is to embed tiktok videos and Instagram posts in blog posts or on landing pages. This saves you time and allows you re-use great content.

Here’s the part that no one loves, but if you’ve been showing up online, on social media, and creating content, then this step is going to come easier to you than it would have before.

Set up an advertising account on the platforms you want to use. Most will try to give you an easy-to-navigate process. On the plus side, once you start advertising and spending money, many platforms will give you ad credit (ex. LinkedIn likes to give $50 to those getting started).

Start here:

• Google
• Facebook and Instagram
• Snapchat
• TikTok
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

​Following these steps in order will help you get started with a solid foundation and build confidence along the way. Confidence is writing messaging, using new technology, and doing what it takes to meet your goals. 

I met Amy earlier this year and quickly fell in love with her vision, her constant hustle, and her hilarious personality. Amy M. Le is an award-winning, Amazon-bestselling author AND the founder of Quill Hawk Publishing. 

If you're ready to write you own book and you're not sure where to start. Or you've already written your first version and now you're wondering what to do next. The answer is = Quill Hawk Publishing. 

"Quill Hawk Publishing helps emerging writers indie-publish their work through a consultative approach." This means they walk you through the process and give you access to everyone you need to finish your book complete with illustration, publish it, create an audio version, and promote it.

Learn more about their services...

Amy is a Vietnam War survivor and Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) warrior.

She is the founder of Quill Hawk Publishing, a woman-owned, Asian American company that helps writers indie publish their books while amplifying diverse voices through storytelling. 

Amy grew up in Seattle and had a successful career at Microsoft and T-Mobile before pivoting to become a writer, publisher, and speaker.

She is the award-winning author of the Snow trilogy: Snow in Vietnam, Snow in Seattle, and Snow’s Kitchen. She is currently working on her phoenix series—three books showcasing the resilience of people who’ve survived deep trauma.

Amy also co-founded The Heart Community Collection , a resource for the CHD community, and sits on the board of the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast. Amy also serves as an officer for two writing organizations in Oklahoma.

When she is not writing or volunteering, Amy is experimenting in the kitchen or screaming at the TV while watching NFL games, UFC fights, or Formula 1 events.

I mean, can we talk about how fun she is???? 

​Who’s ready to just relax? (ME!) If you're like me during the summer, you are trying to get all of the fun things in before it starts getting darker at night, before school starts, before fall ... before it feels like all the fun went home for the rest of the year. If you’re also like me, then you’re probably looking for some time-saving hacks for social media content. I can help with that!

​One of the easiest summer hacks I have for digital marketing is the same one that I recommend for the holiday season as well (right after Christmas when you’re still in a daze but don’t want to be forgotten on the socials.). During the holidays we’re all extra busy – probably a little hungover, too – but still responsible for social media marketing and implementation.  

My big idea is actually quite simple (you’ll agree after you hear it). Go through your social posts from last year and look at what performed well. Share those posts again this year. There! Like I said, super simple!  

To get started, you can look at your insights from Facebook or whatever platform you’re wanting to use. That’s a bit harder route if you’re in a hurry. I recommend you start in your photo or video tabs on the Facebook business page. It’s much easier to scroll to content from last year this way. If you start on your wall it's going to take forever. Once you’re on the photo or video tab, start choosing which content you want to re-post. 

Use these ideas to re-introduce the content to your audience. 

1. Most Liked: “You guys loved this idea last year! Try it again this year.” Look through your photos and video to see which one had the most likes. Share it again!
2. Summary of top posts: “Here are 3 products/ideas/tips/services that were popular this time last year. Who else needed this?” Take content from a 2-5 posts and created a larger post around that theme. 
3. Discount Code: “Code XXXX was the most used discount code of the season! I’m going to open it up again for 24 hours!” If you had a discount code last year, promote it again this year, but only for a small amount of time.  
4. Popular Freebie: “Wow! Last August this was my number 1 freebie! Who wants to see it for themselves?!” Promote a freebie from last summer.  
5. Most-Asked Question: “The Number 1, most asked question I get in August is _____” If you have an older post that covers a popular subject, then make sure to post it again so your audience doesn't miss out this year.  

1. Click the “Share” and then “Share to page” option. This allows you to share the entire original post plus add extra text. 
2. Save the image to your desktop, copy the post text, and then post the entire thing again like it’s brand new.

​Both ideas will work in getting your content back in front of it’s intended audience. ​Hopefully these summer hacks will make your social media posting a little bit easier this month.

Coming up with Reel ideas leaving you with hot flashes? Stay cool and use these ideas ... 

We've picked out 11 fun, summery-sounding songs for your next TikTok video. The songs range from old-school classic to newer songs, guaranteed to pull in all age ranges! Plus, these are "business approved" so you don't need to worry about offending your audience.

Tip: If you want to use one of the songs, I'd recommend clicking on the "Grab the sound here" link while on your mobile device. This allows you to open the sound directly in your TikTok app so you can "Save as a favorite" and find it later when it's time to created your video.

Enjoy!

Grab the sound here.
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​Grab the sound here.
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​Grab the sound here.
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Check out this example...