BEAT YOUR COMPETITION WITHOUT CUTTING YOUR PRICE
One way to beat your competition is to charge less for a similar
product or service. But you can also beat your competition when
your price is higher. One of the best ways to avoid price
competition is to become a specialist in a narrowly defined
targeted market.
RELATING IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN PRICING
I recently spoke with the creator of a marketing program for new
business owners. He could have confronted the established
competition and competed with a lower price. Instead he decided
to target prospects in 2 types of businesses he had worked with
before -- insurance sales and MLM marketing. He knew a lot about
the operation of each business and the people who worked in them.
He created a separate web site for each type of business and
customized the content to appeal specifically to prospects in
that business. The site for insurance sales people looked the
same as the site for MLM marketers. But the content was totally
different.
His plan worked. Sales are running almost 50 percent ahead of
projection ...even with a price that's 15 percent higher than
similar programs. He built a successful business in a highly
competitive market by becoming a specialist.
CUSTOMERS LIKE TO BUY FROM A SPECIALIST
People like to do business with a specialist who has a unique
insight into their situation. They feel confident about getting
what they expect from a product or service when it is proposed
by somebody who understands them and their unique needs.
Most customers or clients will even pay a little more to buy
from somebody who thinks like them. It's worth it to avoid the
risk of being disappointed because they bought from somebody who
didn't know anything about their special situation.
YOU'LL SELL MORE AS A SPECIALIST
Targeting a niche market enables you to design your sales
messages with great precision. You can cater to specifically
defined interests of prospects and communicate with them in
their own style. More people will buy when they feel you are
talking directly to them about their individual needs.
SPECIAL BENEFIT: When you deliver results as a specialist you
also establish yourself as an expert in your field. Customers
will automatically refer other prospects to you. They value what
you did for them and they're confident you can deliver the same
results for others.
3 SIMPLE STEPS TO BECOMING A SPECIALIST
Becoming a specialist is easier than you may think. You can
accomplish it in 3 simple steps:
1. Divide your primary market into several narrowly defined
markets.
2. Take each market, one at a time, and learn everything you can
about the prospects in it.
3. Revise your marketing approach and selling materials to
appeal to the specific needs of prospects in each new market.
Use their own unique language and style of communication.
TIP: Existing customers who match the profile of prospects in a
market you've targeted can help you develop your sales approach
for that market. Contact some of them and ask why they bought
your product or service. What do they like best about it? Why
did they choose you instead of a competitor? They'll give you a
lot of information you can use to develop your appeal to other
prospects who are like them.
You'll always have competitors. But you don't have to lower your
price to compete with them. Instead, become a specialist and
cater to prospects in a narrowly defined targeted market. Your
understanding and insight into their unique situation will
establish you as the expert in your field. They'll want to do
business with YOU even if you don't offer the lowest price.