As business owners we all dream of our success and the success of our businesses. In order to develop a truly thriving business you must find that way to stand out from others.

I remember a friend telling me one day about how she took her dog to the dog park and the dog park was scattered with frisbees that contained the name and phone number of a local doggie spa. How innovative was this thinking? The dogs were all grabbing the frisbees and I am sure many were taken home as a new toy for their doggie pals. I’m not sure how much business the doggie spa received, but what a way to think outside the box. The very next time that someone wants to take their dog to the spa they might just remember that frisbee and at the very least look at how much everyone is talking about this incident. These innovative marketing “ploys” are just one way to stand out, but here are some easier ways that can cost you little to no money.

When you are networking if you end your elevator speech in the same way each time by offering a visual aid, each time that someone sees that visual aid they will think of you. For example, a computer guy I once knew said “you know that mess of cords under your desk coming from your computer … well my job is to make those cords manageable”. Now each time I look under my desk I think of him.

Having a tagline that is on your marketing materials is another way to allow yourself to stand out. Your tagline should tell others in a simple one sentence what it is that you do. For example a virtual assistant business might state “I can do anything an in-house secretary can do except make your morning coffee”. This tells someone exactly what you do, but does it really stand out? Yes I believe it does … again it has given someone a visual … the next time they make their morning coffee they will be sure to think of that virtual assistant.

Finally, your branding … many people overlook it’s importance. If that same virtual assistant utilized coffee cups in their logo and when giving away door prizes gave coffee and coffee mugs … and finally gave coupons to her clients after working with her that said “by now you know I can do everything, but make the morning coffee so tomorrow coffee’s on me” … you see where I am going with this?

So, take a look at your business and develop your very own memory hook … that thing that will make you stand out … and within no time you will have a thriving business.