Stuart Mason, founder of Here’s How To, takes the opportunity to explain why as a business you need to find what makes you different and stand out from the crowd, rather than your USP.
There, I have said it. Now let me explain it.
Business owners are often told they need to discover their unique selling proposition, or USP. Not to be confused with UPS, that’s for your deliveries.
Indeed, it’s the default statement by most business advice ‘gurus’.
It sounds impressive, doesn’t it? Be unique, stand out, be the only one. The problem? In today’s crowded, noisy, price-conscious marketplace, being truly ‘unique’ is nearly impossible. And even if you do stumble on something no one else is doing, how long will it take before someone else copies it?
Let’s be honest, in the print and graphics sector can you be unique?
There’s a better way forward: Differentiation. It’s not about being the only option, it’s about being the obvious choice.
This is where the battle is really won. Let’s dig into how you can stop obsessing over uniqueness and start building a business that stands out for all the right reasons.
- Stop chasing unicorns: Why your business doesn’t need to be ‘unique’ to win
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: customers only care about whether you solve their problem, save them time, take away their pain, or make their life easier.
Print businesses are everywhere. None of them are truly unique, they all sell pretty much the same. Here’s the weird thing, some of them have queues out the door. Others struggle to pay the bills. Why?
Because they’ve found a way to be different in the minds of their customers. Maybe it’s the vibe, the speed of service, the local community feel, or the fact they remember you.
Uniqueness is fleeting. Differentiation is sustainable… and dare I say it, scalable.
- Differentiation basics 101: How to make customers choose you without competing on price
Competing on price is the quickest route to working harder for less money. Differentiation flips the script. Our industry is rife for ‘races to the bottom’, no one wins that race.
When you clearly communicate why you’re different, and deliver on it, then customers will stop comparing you purely on cost. Position value before price.
Customers start weighing up the value you bring.
Imagine two print shops. One delivers a box of leaflets on time. That’s ok, that’s what they said they’d do, that’s what was expected.
The other delivers the same box with a hand written note thanking the customer for their order and a voucher for next time. Both do the job. Only one leaves a memory. Guess which one gets the repeat business, even if it costs a bit more?
People rarely remember what you did, but they always remember how you made them feel.
- The customer experience secret: Why service alone won’t save you
Lots of businesses proudly talk about their customer service. ‘We’re friendly and helpful!’ Well, so is the competition. And here’s the kicker: most customers will never know how good your service is if their overall experience is bland or frustrating.
The experience is the full journey, it’s everything. From the moment someone hears about you, through to how they interact with your website, your people, your product, your follow-up. If any of those points are clunky, the customer might never stick around long enough to enjoy your ‘excellent service’.
Focus on crafting an exceptional experience, this is so important, because for much of that journey, you won’t even know that prospect even exists.
- What customers really want… and what they secretly hate
Business owners often assume they know what customers want.
Then, to make things worse, they peek over the fence at their competitors and copy them. But who says the competition has got it right? The print trade is notorious for this.
Here’s the truth: customers rarely spell out exactly what they want, but they’re very good at showing what they don’t want. They hate being ignored.
They hate surprises (unless it’s a good one). They hate barriers and friction, like hidden costs, clunky processes, technical speak, or being made to wait without explanation.
What they crave is simplicity, trust, reliability, and a little bit of delight. Meet those needs consistently, and you’ll be well ahead of the crowd.
- First impressions matter: How to win or lose a customer in seven seconds
Research shows we make decisions about people and businesses within seconds. That first impression, whether it’s your shop front, your website, your packaging, or even your email signature, well, it sets the tone for everything else.
Small tweaks here can deliver big wins. Does your website look modern and easy to navigate, or like it was built in 2009? Does your phone get answered promptly? Does your proposal arrive in a polished format?
Remember: you never get a second chance at a first impression.
- Experience over everything: Turning ordinary moments into ‘wow’ moments
Most customer interactions are forgettable. That’s why adding unexpected ‘wow’ moments is such a powerful differentiator.
Think of the hotel that upgrades your room without you asking. The tradesperson who leaves a home cleaner than they found it… all wow moments.
These moments don’t have to be expensive; they just have to be thoughtful. When you transform the ordinary into the memorable, people talk about it. People won’t remember what you do, but they will remember how you made them feel.
- The ‘copy-proof’ factor: Building differentiators competitors can’t steal
Here’s the thing about tangible differentiators: they can be copied. Add free delivery? Your rival will do the same next week. Launch a loyalty card? Ditto.
The secret is building intangible advantages; these are the things your competitors can’t easily replicate. Your reputation. Your story. The relationships you build. The emotional connection customers feel when they deal with you. This is your personal brand.
These things are rooted in culture and personality, not process. That’s why humanising the experience is such a smart play in an increasingly automated world.
- Bargain hunters to raving fans: How to attract the right customers
Not every customer is a good customer. Bargain hunters will bleed you dry, demanding more for less. Instead, you want the people who value what you do and will happily tell their friends about it.
Raving fans are worth far more than a handful of bargain hunters. They stick around. They buy again. They forgive the odd mistake because they know you’ll make it right. And, crucially, they become your best salespeople.
Attracting them means doubling down on differentiation.
- Your business through their eyes: Walking the customer journey step by step
One of the best exercises you can do is to step into your customer’s shoes. Map out every stage of their journey with you: from first discovering you, to making an enquiry, to buying, to receiving after-sales support.
Where are the friction points? How can you make it easier?
This exercise often reveals small but powerful tweaks. A smoother online checkout. Clearer communication. A friendlier order process. These are the changes that can transform a one-off buyer into a long-term fan.
- The differentiation checklist: Five points to keep you ahead of the pack
To wrap it up, here’s a simple checklist to keep you focused on differentiation:
- Clarity: Can you clearly explain how you’re different, but without mentioning price?
- Consistency: Do you deliver that difference every single time?
- Experience: Is your customer journey smooth, memorable, and friction-free?
- Emotion: Are you building connections that make customers feel good about choosing you?
- Adaptability: Are you reviewing and refreshing your differentiators to stay ahead of the copycats? They will catch up.
Tick these five boxes, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a business that doesn’t just survive, but thrives in a crowded marketplace.
Final word… honest
Stop chasing unicorns. Stop trying to be ‘unique’. Instead, focus on building and delivering a customer experience that feels different, valuable, genuine and unforgettable.
Do that, and your competitors will be left scratching their heads, wondering what happened, while your customers smile and say, ‘Thank goodness it did’.
Just remember, your competitors are also reading this!
