If you’re a visionary entrepreneur, then having a brand that blends in won’t be your cup of tea.  But how do you stand out with such saturated markets across an array of industries?

There are thousands of photographers, interior designers, business coaches, B2B strategists and service providers, passionate product makers and online educators.  What makes your brand different?  That’s the question to ask if you want to find your way of standing out.  The secret is: it may not be just one thing, and it may not have to be a big thing.

What you do need to do, though, is identify your brand differentiators and make that part of your core messaging so you’re always communicating about that special something that sets you and your brand apart.  And that special something must be relevant, relatable and desired by your ideal clients.

In this blog, I’m breaking down 5 ways to create a stand out brand.  I’ll include an example for each and then a prompt to get you started.  

5 WAYS ENTREPRENEURS CAN CREATE A STAND OUT BRAND

1 - Embrace Your Authenticity

You are the secret sauce that sets your brand apart.  Even if there are a gazillion other people who offer a similar product or service, no one will do it like you.  That means, authenticity is the golden ticket to creating a brand that resonates with your audience.  Embrace your unique blend of experience, expertise, passions and drive, and let them shine through in everything you do.  Authenticity can be your superpower, so don’t be afraid to define yours and allow it to radiate from every aspect of your brand.

A Brand That Embraces Authenticity: Patagonia

Patagonia, the well known outdoor clothing and gear company, is a brand known for its commitment to save our planet.  They’ve embraced their transparent passion for environmental sustainability and have authentically shared this passion with their customers, creating brand loyalty through shared values.

A Prompt To Get You Started

What my brand is best known for is: _________________

And this is how I do [that thing] differently: ___________________

2 - Create An Emotional Connection Point

Tell your brand story.  Your brand story is the thread that weaves your bigger purpose, your values and vision into a captivating narrative that shares your journey, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the solutions you now offer with genuine enthusiasm.  When you allow your audience to connect emotionally with your brand, it can forge a bond that transcends transactional relationships.  Your story is what sets you apart, and using this to relate to your ideal clients, inspire and motivate them, will differentiate you from others who are just focused on selling instead of connecting.

A Brand That Creates An Emotional Connection With Customers: Airbnb

Airbnb has a storytelling approach in their brand messaging and marketing campaigns that focuses on the feeling they want their customers to have every time they use Airbnb.  They’ve tapped into the true desires of how people want to travel and experience destinations and their messaging sets them apart.  Their message focuses on the idea of BELONGING ANYWHERE in the world, and they highlight the personal connections and experiences guests can have by using their accommodations.  This brand stands out by tapping into their customers emotions and clearly articulating back to them what matters most.

A Prompt To Get You Started

The #1 feeling I want my customers to have when they experience my brand is…

3 - Create Your Brand Style

Audiences often see your brand first, so your brand style and design is an important aspect to stand out in a crowded market.  Your brand visuals should reflect your brand’s personality and values, giving your brand instant identity, increased recognition, and a lasting impression.  You want to aim for brand synergy  -  where your brand image and style is curated and consistent across all platforms: website, social media, email marketing and more.

A Brand With A Powerful &. Memorable Visual Identity: Apple

Apple stands out for many reasons, but their brand is recognized for being a master of visual identity: from their iconic logo to their sleek, minimalistic design aesthetic, and their clean and user-friendly product interfaces, Apple’s visual identity is instantly recognizable. Their visual brand images cuts through the clutter and noise in their industry and sets them apart because of their consistent application of simplicity and elegance that's carried through their entire product line and marketing communication.

A Prompt To Get You Started

Don’t throw your whole visual brand out and start from scratch.  Refine if you want to, but then stick with a consistent style and design approach to stand out.  Take a look at others in your industry - if they’re all starting to look similar visually, deliberately embrace a different approach to instantly stand out.

4 - Deliver A Consistent & Exceptional Customer Experience

Your brand is the experience you deliver consistently.  That’s why I’m addressing it here because you want to ensure you’re delivering an exceptional experience to your customers every day, all day long.  Believe it or not, a great customer experience and customer journey can be the secret sauce to standing out because your people will feel seen, heard, valued, and taken care of.  Be attentive, responsive, and genuine in all your communication, and personalize your interactions to meet your audience’s unique needs.  Happy customers will turn into brand advocates who share their positive brand experience with the world.  That’s the goal!

A Brand Known For Delivering Exceptional Customer Experiences: Zappos

Zappos, the online shoe and clothing retailer, is known for its exceptional customer service.  They prioritize creating memorable experience by going above and beyond to delight their customers.  They’re known for their friendly and helpful customer support team, hassle-free return policy, and commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction.  Their dedication to exceptional service has earned them a strong reputation and a fiercely loyal customer base.

A Prompt To Get You Started

What can you do right now to improve your customers’ experience?  Taken one step further, what can you add or refine in your brand experience to simply DELIGHT your audience?

5 - Innovate & Disrupt

You’ll never stand out if you’re afraid to challenge the status quo or disrupt your industry in some way.  This is a wonderful way to create a stand out brand: introduce innovative solutions and disrupt your industry’s norms.  If this appeals to you, you can make it one of your brand’s core values - to constantly seek new ways to innovate and improve your products, services, or processes.  Build your personal brand and position your brand as a thought leader by communicating your knowledge and perspective to push boundaries.  It will attract forward-thinking clients who crave something fresh and exciting.

A Brand Known For Innovating & Disrupting: Peloton

Peloton, the fitness technology company, has revolutionized the way people exercise and engage in home fitness.  They’ve seamlessly merged technology, fitness equipment, and a subscription-based content platform to create an immersive and personalized workout experience.  Peloton’s innovative approach has disrupted the traditional gym and fitness industry by offering convenience, interactivity, and high-quality content.  Plus, their focus on community-building through leader boards and social features has created a strong sense of camaraderie among its users.  The Peloton brand stands out because they’ve transformed the way people approach their workouts, and thus, they’re now a leading brand in the fitness space.

A Prompt To Get You Started

You don’t have to revolutionize your entire industry to start (I mean, if you have the idea to do it, DO IT).  To get started, brainstorm 3 ways you could innovate your products / services or disrupt the current thinking in your industry.

DON’T DELAY…DIFFERENTIATE

You now have 5 ways (with examples) to break free of blending in and find your way of standing out.  Embrace your authenticity, create emotional connection points, develop your brand style, deliver exceptional experiences, and dare to innovate.

Standing out requires both courage and consistency to be successful, so identify your unique brand differentiators and let them shine.  Make your mark and create the impact you know you’re meant to make with your brand.

Need 1:1 guidance to identify your stand out brand strategy?  Book a Clarity Call with me here so we can chat about working together to shape your brand.