Competition is a fact of doing business. In many ways it helps. It can keep you motivated to exceed personally and professionally. However, you don’t want to have to feel your competition breathing down your neck.
Here are five tips to position yourself ahead of your competition.

#1 Offer Unprecedented Customer Service.

Make sure that each and every customer feels acknowledged, appreciated, and has a fantastic customer experience. This experience can begin on your website and continue long after their project has been delivered. Determine what your customers and prospects need most and offer it.

#2 Become a Consultant.

You’re an expert in your niche. Whether you’re an expert in a particular format or you’re an expert in an industry you do have knowledge. Chances are your customers and prospects have customers. They can benefit from your knowledge.

In fact, if you’ve been in business for any length of time you’ve probably had clients ask for your opinion. Offer it as a consultant and profit from your knowledge.

#3 Make Profitable Connections.

Partnerships and associations can truly launch your business well ahead of your competition. You can partner with other writers to broaden your scope of services. You can also partner with virtual assistants, SEO experts or even graphic designers to offer more to your clients.

#4 Publish – Become an Author

When you publish, online and off, you help position yourself as a credible expert. Publication not only positions you well above your competition you also broaden the awareness for your writing services.

Publication is both a fantastic marketing resource and a credibility tool. Not sure what to publish? Start with article marketing. Submit articles or proposals to industry magazines. Consider writing a book too.

#5 Inspire with Professionalism

Simply creating a professionally run business can put you well above your competition. Effective systems, policies and procedures are a great start. Also make sure that your communication systems including email signatures and your voice mail message all give a professional feel.

Start by looking at the process any new customer goes through when they work with you and your writing business. Evaluate each process and look for ways to improve it so your customer receives a truly exceptional service.

Create a business that provides value to your customers and communicates professionalism. Consider publishing to broaden awareness for your business. Finally, partnerships can offer more value to your customers without adding more work to your day.

Check out The Versatile Freelancer to learn more ways to position yourself ahead of your competition and create the freelance writing business of your dreams.

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