What Makes Your Service Different from All the Rest?

What Makes Your Service Different from All the Rest?

As a service-based business owner, you can face a lot of competition. More and more businesses are using virtual assistants, general transcriptionists, and the like. Other people are realizing this and are starting to offer these types of services. In order for you to gain new customers and create a solid customer base, you will need to distinguish your services from the competition.

Many people assume that price is the biggest factor in their customers’ decision-making process. While it can play a role, it is not the only thing a potential customer will look at. Do not sell yourself short and price your services so low that you are not making a decent wage. If you offer quality work, you deserve to be paid a quality price.

Pricing your services too low can actually have a negative effect on your business. A potential customer who is used to paying a higher fee may assume that you are inexperienced or offer a lesser-quality service.

When it comes to a service-based business, the quality of the work is what will really set you apart from the competition. Provide the best quality work possible and your customers will keep coming back for more. They will tell others about your great work and that can help you grow your customer base, as well.

Another key ingredient in service-based businesses is the quality of your customer service. If you treat your customers well, they will want to work with you long-term. If you treat them wrong, they will move on to another service provider.

Some examples of good customer service include following up with quote requests and answering emails in a timely manner, meeting deadlines, and offering to do “extras,” such as converting .doc files into .pdf files at no charge.

Depending on the type of service you offer, you may also want to consider creating some “informational product freebies” that will entice your customers to buy more of your services. For instance, if you a virtual assistant specializing in marketing, you can create a report or an eCourse on the benefits of a mailing list. When your clients read this information, they will want to hire you to help them develop a mailing list.

There are many other ways to set you apart from the competition. You can get very creative and think up some unique twists. You can join forces with other service-based businesses and offer each others’ customer bases a special discount or you can create special packages within your own service line.

Once you have distinguished yourself from the competition your customers and potential customers will know who to call when they are looking for the specific type of service you offer.