Three Ways to Use the Most Important Business Strategy That Exists
Did you know that there is a under the radar strategy that exists that you can take advantage of right now and it can immediately catapult your success.
That strategy is positioning.
Positioning is the process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for its product, brand, or organization..
Re-positioning involves changing the identity of a product, relative to the identity of competing products, in the collective minds of the target market..
At its core, positioning empowers you to take control of your business and use leverage exponentially by leveraging others expertise. The following are three ways you can start changing the way people relate to your company…
One – Use a Powerful Business Model.
Before you choose your target market, before you build your website, before you learn the latest online marketing strategies; you must choose an equitable and passive business model that allows your customers to see you as a leader in your industry. Not as a player, but as a leader. Most entrepreneurs start businesses without ever considering their business model and then they spin their wheels for years working a service-based business where they start over each day and have nothing to show for their previous work. Some examples of powerful business models are:
- Membership-Based Businesses Like Associations, Institutes, or Global Networks
- High-End Information Products
- Innovative Technologies
Step to take today: Grab a book on one or more of the three recommended business models above such as Smart Women Create Membership-Based Businesses (Sheri McConnell), Smart Women Create Information Products (Pub. Date – June 2009), or Peter Drucker\’s book, Innovation and Entrepreneurship..
And by the way, did you see how I just positioned my books next to one of the most influential thinkers in business?.
Two – Only Partner Strategically.
One of the single most important ways you can instantly change how your customers think about you is by partnering with people they already know and love. This is leveraging other people\’s expertise and it is a win-win. On the Internet partnerships come in the form of joint ventures on website articles or ads, books, teleseminars, the formation of new companies, and much more. Your strategic goal is to create a win for them and then turn around and make sure you let everyone know you are “playing” with this new partner. The most common mistake made with this positioning tool is not saying “no” enough when you are asked to partner and when the positioning isn\’t right. Women especially have a problem with this since they tend to be people pleasers more often..
Step to take today: Create an ongoing place to play with new partners. Create a monthly or weekly teleseries of your own where you can feature your partners and serve your clients at the same time. Don\’t want to do a teleseries, then how about featuring a well known guest blog post each week..
Three – Share Your Passionate Vision with the Masses.
Use the power of the Internet to communicate your innovative solutions and decisive advice with those you serve. In business, being a leader that is willing to take risks and advocate for something you believe in positions you as a go-to person. In today\’s business climate, being the leader and visionary that illuminates a path for your customers, positions you as someone to follow. Play at solving their problems and don\’t be afraid to let them know that you are in the trenches with them and are dedicated no matter what..
Step to take today: Publish a weekly newsletter or blog and consistently comment on something that matters to your customers. Be innovative, be controversial, be authentic, be of value, be a leader..
Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Sheri McConnell is the CEO of Sheri McConnell Companies, Inc. and the president and founder of two national organizations, the National Association of Women Writers-NAWW and the Global Institute of Associations-GIA. You can visit Sheri, access her free article archive, and find out more about all four of her companies at www.sherimcconnell.com. Sheri lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, their four children, a weenie dog, and two cats.
