Comments on: Day 14: How to differentiate yourself in a flooded market

By: Polly Rosenstein

Polly Rosenstein — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:25:31 +0000

Hi, Zaina – I am in the financial services industry too, and I believe that being a generalist in this industry is the kiss of death. I would recommend that you find your passion and go after that segment of your business whether it be retirement planning, working with women, working with business owners, etc. No one will think of you if you don’t have a target market. It’s like the Mary Kay rep who wants to meet anyone with skin. This has been my experience; I wish that I had learned this sooner.

And whatever area you choose to specialize in, become an expert in that field. Learn everything you can about that one particular area of your business.

By: Zaina

Zaina — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:35:05 +0000

I am in the financial services industry and it is ture that its difficult to differentiate your self when tons of people are doing the same thing. I am trying to find myself a niche which I can say is my forte. But right now I can myself a generalist. I shall put up another post when I do find my niche.

By: Jerry Santoni

Jerry Santoni — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:16:14 +0000

This is a very important subject now a days with all the layoffs, including mine. I believe everyone should have a solid marketing value proposition that articulates how he/she is different from the rest of the crowd. For me, regardless of the business or personal relationship, it is the willingness to truely listen to another person’s view point, provide honest feedback (regardless of whether it financially benefits me), candid insight, and applying innovation (thinking outside the box) with facts that support the statements. As the other comments indicate, it boils down to communication skills and honesty, coupled with a positive attitude and applying innovation.

By: Mary Lombard

Mary Lombard — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:46:44 +0000

This reminds me that I need to get testimonials from my latest batch of clients.

My service isn’t saturated (doesn’t seem to be, anyway), but my product is. Anyone can go online to make their own photo books. But my clients get ME, my 20 years in journalism, my obsession with the written word and my guarantee that if they find an error in their product, their next book is free. The quality of my product, as well, far surpasses the competition in terms of durability, life expectancy and print excellence. Condensing that into a sentence is a little tough.

By: Kathy Foster

Kathy Foster — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:06:15 +0000

My clients tell me what makes me different than all the other accountants in my area is the fact that I take the time to get to know them and their business. They also appreciate the fact that I can look them in the eye and say, “I don’t know for sure, but I can get the answer.” They like that I talk to them in terms they can understand and educate them on the hows and whys of what I do. Most of my testimonials praise me on my accuracy and knowledge, open communication, personal service and follow up, meeting the dealine promised, and taking the time to ask questions and provide them with useful information that was not provided by their accountants in the past.