With the arrival of a new year, you’re probably setting some goals for your business. Some of these, no doubt, will be related to your numbers. Maybe you want to increase retention, grow revenue, or reduce unnecessary spending. These are all worthy goals, but don’t be afraid to tackle some big-picture ideas, as well. If you’re in need of some inspiration, look at a few of 2017’s most notable industry leaders, and consider adapting their strategies to fit your own company.
Hone Your Service Like Warby Parker
Across countless industries, specialization is all the rage. Tesla has come to dominate the electric car market, in large part because they offer nothing else. Glasses manufacturer Warby Parker is another great example of wonderful specialization. They don’t sell a million products from a thousand brands. Instead, they focus on their own products, do the bulk of their sales online, and offer in-home trials.
Ask yourself what makes your business special and make that the focal point of your company. Are you spending too much money on supplementary products that bring little value to your brand identity? Could that money be better spent on the thing that sets your business apart? When you trim the fat from the products or services you offer, you’ll strengthen your brand. Unless you’re Amazon, it’s hard to be a one-stop shop.
Blog Like Whole Foods
Having a blog is a great way to get eyes on your website and share valuable information with both current and prospective customers. However, too many businesses create a blog without any foresight or direction. Maybe they stop posting after a month or provide bland content that doesn’t interest readers. Some companies solely post direct advertising, which sours readers. But these mistakes are easily fixed.
Whole Food Market’s blog, Whole Story, is the perfect model for a blog. Sure, they post about new products and seasonal favorites, but they leaven these product-first posts with lifestyle-based posts like “Growing Healthy Kids Together,” “Supplier Stories,” and tons of recipes. Whole Foods has a huge demographic, but they know that anyone going to the blog is probably interested in health, cooking, and sourcing ingredients. In turn, they create content that speaks to these interests.
Posted on 01/15/2018 at 08:00 AM