Are you embracing being a small business owner or are you constantly comparing yourself to bigger businesses?

I remember 12 years ago or so when I started my first business. I went from having a nice and comfortable budget to no budget! It was like I had no clue how to do marketing anymore! I used to work in a team, and had suppliers/partners… I had to re-learn the job because the context was different: the risk, my implication and my finances had all changed. My world had changed: I was my own boss!

Over the last 12 years, I’ve learned so much… One common challenge I see constantly is comparison! I see it as a killing habit.
How many times I've heard: “this competitor has just launched a new campaign. What are we going to do?”, “Look, this brand is on Tik Tok, I had to do it too”, “The videos from this company are so good”…

I can’t help myself to think: why? Then I remember I did exactly the same, ha ha!

For many business owners, being “small” is a problem. With every situation there are pros and cons! I want to focus on the pros:

• Agility: Ability to adapt and improve processes, pivot strategies, or explore new approaches when something doesn’t work.
• Human Touch: Understanding and connecting with your clients, staff, suppliers, and yourself, recognizing the importance of the team behind your business.
• Knowledge: Possessing in-depth understanding of your products or services, ensuring effective communication and sales strategies.

When it is about your “competitors” (a word I don’t particularly like), it’s simply about knowing what is happening in your market, and that’s it!

When you need inspiration for your marketing and developing your business, look at other industries. For example, if you are selling yoga classes, look at what fitness instructors do. If you run an organic food shop, look at a crystal shop…

Marketing is such a huge world! I’ve been asked recently by an 11-year-old “What is marketing?”. There is no better test than that. My short answer was to advertise a business. However, the specific marketing actions you will take will differ. It's linked to who you are, what you know, who are your clients, and what you are selling.

I’ve always said your first marketing “tool” is you - as a small business owner! How do you talk about your business? How do you share your story? In a world of technology, people are looking for genuine connections. What if that is the way for small businesses to stand out?

Not long ago, I was in a room full of entrepreneurs presenting their businesses. Most of us started our presentation by talking negatively about ourselves! It is time to rewrite the story and use positive words!

Look at your pitch, your social media, your informal chat: are they positive? Do you realise the amazing step you have already taken?
When you need help, I’m there for you. Book a call and we can check how our businesses can collaborate.