Developing the Unique Selling Proposition
The "Unique Selling Proposition" advertising campaign was developed by Reeves in 1961. Reeves proposed that marketers offer products different from their competitor' offerings by developing products that have a special formula, design, or feature. The product or service being marketed must be unique and important to the prospect. Finally, the USP can be an overt statement or implied through different marketing mechanisms. This is all wonderful theory but how does one create and apply the USP? Jay Conrad Levinson tells us in his book, "Guerilla Marketing" that the USP must showcase the inherent "drama" of a product or service. Thus, to develop the USP you need to begin to ask questions. Go beyond, "What makes my product or service unique compared to other products or services?" First ask yourself what your product or service has in common with other similar products or services. Let's consider a mobile cleaning service. Most mobile cleaning services are: 1) mobile; 2) offer off hour services; 3) provide for flexible cleaning schedules. Now, what do you do different? Do you use a different cleaning system that guarantees a given result? Do you or your employees hold certifications in advanced cleaning processes? Do you offer any complimentary services not offered by other cleaning businesses? Perhaps, you provide "X" amount of free cleaning per "Y" hours of ordered service? Maybe you deliver baked goods to each establishment you clean? Not only should you consider what differentiates you from your competition, you need to consider what makes your product exciting. For instance do you use a special cleaner that will clean people's shoes when they walk on a newly cleaned carpet? That would be really exciting. Finally, consider the utilitarian or functional aspects of your cleaning service. What can consumers of your service expect? Can they expect amazing customer service? Can they expect easy access to the service? Can they expect consistency in the service? Finally, will your service provide them in some way with an increase in their profits? What aspects of your service will help your customers increase profits? What aspects will help them increase their self image? Research indicates that developing and marketing a unique selling proposition will be most effective under the following circumstances: If a product or service: 1. is highly differentiated from its competition. 2. is in the developmental stages of the product life cycle. 3. is not publicly consumed (things like automobiles, clothing, perfume, eating establishments. 4. requires high involvement from the consumer. 5. is well known and understood by the consumer. Once you've determined that your product or service fits into a majority of the above circumstances then you need to develop your unique selling proposition by asking the many questions posed in the above paragraphs. The last exercise you should undertake is to pick the two or three most dramatic answers and develop them into your marketing campaign. The Unique Selling Proposition theory of marketing can be very powerful if it is applied under the right circumstances with the correct target market. Take the time to determine if developing the USP is the primary form of marketing for you, then target it based on the development of a solid ideal customer profile and you'll see positive results. ************************************ Darrin Coe holds a master's degree in professional psychology specializing in consumer thinking. He operates Consumer Thinking.com at http://www.consumer-thinking.com and publishes
The Darrin Coe Ezine. You can subscribe at http://www.consumer-thinking.com/dcezine.html
*************************************
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Bare-Bones Basics Of Multi-Level Marketing
Multi-level marketing is the biggest growth industry in the 1980's. It is the industry that has made corporate giants of Amway, Shaklee, Mary Kay and Herbalife. It has been termed as the last true rags-to-riches opportunity left in North America, and its ability to bring enormous incomes to almost anyone is legend. In fact, it is expected to make more new millionaires by 1990 than any other industry, and soon after will be the single most popular method of bringing new products to the consumer.
Mortgage Marketing - How to Earn More Business From Realtors®
Is your marketing strategy getting the results you desire?
Forward Thinkers Stay Ahead of the Curve
What is it like from a marketing perspective to be yesterday's news? We rely on what is tried and true in marketing because it is usually safe, tried, and tested. It saves us time, as well, since we don't have to put on our creativity cap to craft an innovative strategy.
Dear Friend: Dont Start Your Non-For-Profit Fundraising Letters As A Stranger
Dear Friend:
How Can I Break Into Cliques?
Have you ever gone to a networking function and seen THE person who you feel could help you most there, except that person is surrounded by people ALL the time? Have you ever tried to enter into a conversation with that circle of people, only to have gotten the feeling you were intruding? How do you get an audience with a person who is constantly surrounded by "gatekeepers"? This happens often at gatherings that do not have a structured agenda- in other words in places where open networking is promoted. Here's an effective approach to meeting the person you want to meet.
Marketing With Brochures
With the explosion of the internet and online businesses many business owners forget how important it is to market offline as well. One of the main pieces in your company's marketing should be a brochure. You should have a brochure for your online and offline marketing.
Getting Paid to Promote Yourself
We all know we can pay a magazine or a newspaper to run ads for us. Businesses do
it all the time. In many cases, you're obliged to advertise to survive. But wouldn't
you rather promote yourself and your company in a number of publications, and get
paid for it?
How to Promote your business website using free online resources.
There are many ways to promote your website for free online. Here are 10 highly effective strategies you can use right now.
10 Powerful Marketing Tips
1. Print your best small ad on a postcard and mail it to prospects in your targeted market. People read postcards when the message is brief. A small ad on a postcard can drive a high volume of traffic to your web site and generate a flood of sales leads for a very small cost.2. No single marketing effort works all the time for every business, so rotate several marketing tactics and vary your approach. Your customers tune out after awhile if you toot only one note. Not only that, YOU get bored. Marketing can be fun, so take advantage of the thousands of opportunities available for communicating your value to customers. But don't be arbitrary about your selection of a variety of marketing ploys. Plan carefully. Get feedback from customers and adapt your efforts accordingly.3. Use buddy marketing to promote your business. For example, if you send out brochures, you could include a leaflet and/or business card of another business, which had agreed to do the same for you. This gives you the chance to reach a whole new pool of potential customers.4. Answer Your Phone Differently. Try announcing a special offer when you answer the phone. For example you could say, "Good morning, this is Ann Marie with Check It Out; ask me about my special marketing offer." The caller is compelled to ask about the offer. Sure, many companies have recorded messages that play when you're tied up in a queue, but who do you know that has a live message? I certainly haven't heard of anyone. Make sure your offer is aggressive and increase your caller's urgency by including a not-so-distant expiration date.5. Stick It! Use stickers, stamps and handwritten notes on all of your direct mail efforts and day-to-day business mail. Remember, when you put a sticker or handwritten message on the outside of an envelope, it has the impact of a miniature billboard. People read it first; however, the message should be short and concise so it can be read in less than 10 seconds.6. Send A Second Offer To Your Customers Immediately After They've Purchased Your customer just purchased a sweater from your clothing shop. Send a handwritten note to your customer thanking them for their business and informing them that upon their return with "this note" they may take advantage of a private offer, such as 20% off their next purchase. To create urgency, remember to include an expiration date.7. Newsletters. Did you know it costs six times more to make a sale to a new customer than to an existing one? You can use newsletters to focus your marketing on past customers. Keep costs down by sacrificing frequency and high production values. If printed newsletters are too expensive, consider an e-mail newsletter sent to people who subscribe at your Web site. 8. Seminars/ open house. Hosting an event is a great way to gain face time with key customers and prospects as well as get your company name circulating. With the right programming, you'll be rewarded with a nice turnout and media coverage. If it's a seminar, limit the attendance and charge a fee. A fee gives the impression of value. Free often connotes, whether intended or not, that attendees will have to endure a sales pitch.9. Bartering. This is an excellent tool to promote your business and get others to use your product and services. You can trade your product for advertising space or for another company's product or service. This is especially helpful when two companies on limited budgets can exchange their services.10. Mail Outs. Enclose your brochure, ad, flyer etc. in all your outgoing mail. It doesn't cost any additional postage and you'll be surprised at who could use what you're offering.
Top 7 Tips for New Businesses
The marketing decisions you make for your new business are the most important part of making your business a success. Marketing is about building a strong presence, name recognition and credibility through various methods. Here are 7 things you can do to get a new business off the ground.
Simplicity In Marketing
In a world that is spinning out of control; with consumers being bombarded with hundreds of advertising messages per day in a variety of mediums, it is imperative to develop an understanding of the consumer's thinking to develop an edge in advertising.
Attracting New Business on a Shoestring Budget
In a recent marketing workshop I attended, I discovered that most business owners rely on just two or three strategies to attract new business. Even well-established companies tend to rely on one or two strategies. However, there is a multitude of ways to drive new business to your door. Here are a few:
10 Elements Every Direct Mail Piece Should Have
Don't want your direct mail to end up in the trash with the rest of the unread mail? Studies show an effective direct mail campaign should draw a .5 to 1 percent response. These 10 tips will help you get the results you want:
Breaking The Voice Mail Barrier
Even if you never place a cold call, you still have to reach people by phone. That customer who was so interested last month never called you back, and now you must call her. You call once, twice, three times, but you can't get her in person. How can you manage to close a sale if all you ever get is voice mail?
Make Your Mailing a Home Run, Not a Strike Out!
You can use great design and copy to get a better response.
The Seven Keys to Marketing Genius: The Complete Guide to Increasing Your Marketing IQ
How smart is your marketing? Do you follow the crowd or set your own standards? People are attracted to innovative leaders, not copycats. Besides, most companies throw thousands of dollars down the drain on ineffective advertising- can your budget afford such waste? Start your education today- follow these seven keys to increase your marketing IQ and outwit your competition.
Hermey Wants To Be A Dentist
December marked the 40th anniversary of the original broadcast of the classic "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer"©, network television's longest-running, highest-rated holiday special. From my earliest childhood memories, watching Rudolph has been a tradition, one that continues today with my own family.
Shine a Spotlight on Your Professional Service Firm
As a life-long dancer, I know a bit about the importance of good preparation before performance. Before a dancer is ready for the spotlight, she has to master the basics including alignment, strength, flexibility, balance, choreography, and artistry.
There?s More to Marketing ROI (return on investment) Than Meets the Eye
All too often people look at marketing ROI in terms of response rate: in other words, "I sent out 10,000 pieces of direct mail and only got 39 responses which is terrible." This is wrong think.
Incestuous Relationship Between Football and Marketing
Thousands eyes were fixed. Hearts were beating hard against the chests. Emotions was high, expectations was weighting on warrior on football field. This was a article moment for David Bekham. He has to take a direct free kick. Human wall was erected in front of football a few yards away. Opponent and helping hands were scattered around in the D-area hustling and bustling. And whistle went off.
|
