3 Ways to Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace

It is no news that the fashion industry is a crowded marketplace that is extremely saturated. There are so many brands and designers out there doing almost the same things that being able to make a considerable impact can sometimes be difficult or discouraging. However, do not be dismayed because not all hope it completely lost. You just need to program your mindset to believe the best and follow some simple steps. Outlined below are a few of my ideas on how to stay competitive. Check out three ways you can stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Define your target market and offer value

In a crowded marketplace, it is important to know the type of customer you are serving because it will enable you understand what they want and based  on that you will be able to offer value. Your target market consists of the people who are most likely to buy your product. Defining this group of people will require that you study their habits and characteristics (age, location, income, lifestyle etc). Ask them questions via a customer survey or interviews and discover what matters to them in order to help you refine what you have to provide. During this process, you also absolutely need to figure out what sets you apart from everybody else. Do some market research and find out what your competitors are doing then do something different than that in order to offer concrete value. Try to give the customers what they want rather than what you personally like. Remember that the market is what determines whether you will stay in business or not. So, be flexible and don’t be afraid to try something new if that is what your market wants and prefers. Continue to update your products, focus on creativity and innovation then create some unique marketing strategies around your offerings.

Focus on making a genuine, authentic connection

Create a strategy for making an authentic connection with your customer. In a crowded marketplace, customers will hardly forget an experience that made them feel think differently or feel special. Your retail experience has to  be memorable and it needs to communicate to the customer’s needs or make a connection with their emotions for it to be unforgettable. Depending on how you are interacting with your customer on the first exchange, this might have to go the extra mile. Go beyond just offering a warm smile, kind greeting or another friendly email to proven strategies that actually deliver value for your brand. Most people just want a real human connection and this is because people connect with other people. If you can connect with your target market on a personal level and if the value you provide resonates with them completely, they are much more likely to be a loyal customer.

Partner with influencers in your niche

An influencer with thousands of followers may seem enticing to work with. However, times are changing and this route may not always deliver the same results. Collaborating with top influencers used to be very common but these days it is on the decline because their posts don’t always convert into impact. People have become more discerning and can tell a paid post from miles away. When customers see a paid advertisement or sponsored social media post (often marked with #ad or #sponsored) it does reduce their interest. More so, consumers are bombarded with so much advertising content that it is hard to truly keep up with their favourite brands. The solution here is to partner with micro influencers who have a strong klout in their communities and whose audience is directly related to the customers you need for your niche. You can research who these micro influencers are and engage with them to build a rapport or relationship. Once you have done that, contact them directly with the proposition of working together.

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What other things do you think you can do to stand out in a crowded marketplace?