How Do Sole Proprietors Compete Against a Big Business?
Sole proprietors face the unique challenge of outmaneuvering larger competitors, and we’ve gathered twelve innovative strategies from business owners and founders to do just that. From creating a unique personal brand to leveraging technology for personalized solutions, discover the diverse tactics these entrepreneurs employ to stay ahead in the game.
- Create a Unique Personal Brand
- Specialize and Embrace Digital Innovation
- Invest in Digital Marketing and Service
- Personalize Customer Service and Engagement
- Innovate with AI-Driven Customer Solutions
- Deliver Exceptional, Focused Customer Service
- Offer Specialized Services for Unique Needs
- Personalize Experiences and Collaborate
- Be Consistent in Social Media
- Drive Awareness with Virtual Summits
- Connect Personally with Clients
- Leverage Technology for Personalized Solutions
Create a Unique Personal Brand
My main strategy for standing out in a highly competitive industry is to establish a distinct presence. This includes developing a unique personal brand, creating a stylish portfolio, building innovative service packages, and providing unparalleled customer service.
Drawing on my firsthand experiences working with some of my competitors, I gained insight into the industry’s challenges and mismanagement issues. Recognizing a significant opportunity, I positioned myself as a passionate designer, giving clients the opportunity to work directly with someone who is deeply committed to producing exceptional results.
Jemma Wiltshire
Business Owner, Jemma Wiltshire Design
Specialize and Embrace Digital Innovation
Leveraging my position as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, I’ve found that differentiation through specialization and personal branding allows me to effectively compete with larger entities.
One innovative strategy I’ve used involves closely analyzing market trends to identify underserved niches within larger markets. For example, by focusing on the burgeoning field of SaaS and digital transformation, I was able to position my clients as leaders in these niches by developing targeted branding and marketing strategies that resonated with their unique audiences. This approach not only established a strong market presence but also enabled these startups and small businesses to capture market share from larger competitors.
Another key strategy has been the integration of cutting-edge digital marketing techniques such as SEO, e-commerce optimization, and comprehensive go-to-market strategies. By continuously refining these tactics based on emerging trends and technologies, like voice search optimization and AI-driven content creation, I’ve been able to keep my clients ahead of the curve, often outmaneuvering larger companies that are slower to adapt. This agility, combined with a deep understanding of product design and development, has ensured sustained success in their marketing efforts, illustrating how embracing innovation and adapting strategies can significantly impact a company’s ability to compete in a digital landscape.
Haiko De Poel
Owner, Mass Impact
Invest in Digital Marketing and Service
I’ve always tried to devise creative ways to outperform more established businesses. Making use of digital marketing strategies and building a strong online presence is one tactic that has been effective for me. I have increased my audience reach and sales significantly by investing in search engine optimization, targeted online advertising, and a user-friendly website.
Apart from that, differentiating myself from the larger competition has also required me to focus on providing outstanding customer service and cultivating great relationships with my clientele. One benefit of being a sole proprietor is that I can provide my clients with more personalized attention and a customized experience. I have been able to cultivate client loyalty and favorable word-of-mouth recommendations by going above and beyond in terms of service and keeping lines of communication open.
In order to out-compete larger companies, small business owners must be adaptable, creative, and customer-focused. Utilizing technology and placing a high value on exceptional customer service has allowed me to carve out a niche and make a name for myself in the lighting market.
Matt Little
Owner, Festoon House
Personalize Customer Service and Engagement
Customer service is the kryptonite of large corporations. Sole proprietors can leverage their agility and close connections with customers to provide a level of personalization that larger entities struggle to achieve.
Once you understand the unique needs of individual customers, you can tailor products or services for them. Start by offering customized solutions and providing a more intimate and memorable experience. This personal touch creates strong customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth marketing.
Additionally, sole proprietors can maximize the use of digital platforms and social media to build a strong online presence, engage directly with customers, and showcase the personality and values of their brand. Authenticity and a genuine connection with the audience (using influencers, etc.) set your business apart.
Perry Zheng
Founder and CEO, Pallas
Innovate with AI-Driven Customer Solutions
As the founder of MBC Group, I’ve learned that reinventing the marketing approach to leverage AI-driven solutions is a vital strategy to cut through and out-compete larger entities effectively. A standout example of this innovation is AiDen, our AI chatbot, which we introduced to redefine customer engagement across digital platforms.
This AI tool was not just a technical advancement but a strategic move to create personalized, 24/7 customer interactions without the hefty expense of large customer service teams. Implementing AiDen allowed us to offer unparalleled customer service, which in turn enhanced brand loyalty and positioned us competitively against bigger companies who might not be as agile in adopting new technologies.
Furthermore, embracing a digital-first approach, especially focusing on AI-driven marketing solutions, has allowed us to maximize the reach and efficiency of our marketing efforts. By analyzing data and optimizing our strategies in real-time, we’ve been able to achieve a higher ROI on our campaigns compared to traditional methods. This approach has not only enabled us to stay competitive but also to pave the way for small businesses to thrive in a digital-dominated market.
The transition to AI and leveraging cutting-edge technologies exemplify how staying ahead in innovation and tailoring services to meet modern demands can empower a smaller entity to compete efficaciously against larger corporations, making size a less critical factor in achieving success.
Matthew Montez
Founder, The MBC Group
Deliver Exceptional, Focused Customer Service
As a sole proprietor, I have fewer clients. Therefore, I have the advantage of focusing on the specific requests of my customers and delivering exceptional customer service. This strategy has both enabled my business to out-compete larger entities and also established a solid reputation as a leader in customer intent and service.
Suzanne Oliver
Small Business Owner, Suzanne Michell
Offer Specialized Services for Unique Needs
Leveraging my experience as a cleaning and property services expert in the Sacramento area, I’ve found that a key strategy to out-compete larger entities is offering highly specialized services that cater to the unique needs of both residential and commercial clients.
For example, recognizing the regional impact of wildfire season, we developed an approach to cleaning that specifically addresses the aftermath, including ash and soot removal from exterior surfaces. This tailored service not only attracted customers looking for solutions to these specific problems but also positioned us as a go-to service provider for these niche needs. Handling these unique demands with expertise and efficiency provided us a competitive edge over larger companies that might offer more generalized services.
Another innovative strategy we have implemented is building strong, personalized relationships with our clients. By making our customers feel valued and listened to, through direct interactions and customized service plans, we create a loyal client base. When we pressure-wash a client’s home or clean their gutters, we take the time to understand their specific concerns and preferences.
This personal touch, which can sometimes be lost in larger operations, encourages repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals, helping us to grow organically in a competitive market. This focus on customer service and specialized offerings demonstrates how understanding and responding to the specific needs of your community can be a powerful tool against larger competitors.
Kelly Salas
Founder, Sierra Vista Maintenance
Personalize Experiences and Collaborate
When I was running my own small business, I discovered a game-changing strategy: personalizing customer experiences. Large companies often struggle with this due to their size, but as a sole proprietor, I could really get to know my customers. I’d remember their preferences, their last purchase, even small details they mentioned in passing. This created a bond that no automated system from a big company could match.
I also leveraged my agility to quickly adapt to market changes, something bigger entities often find cumbersome. This agility allowed me to experiment with new ideas without being bogged down by layers of decision-making.
Another tactic was focusing on a niche market. By specializing in a specific area, I could offer deep expertise and tailored solutions that larger competitors couldn’t easily replicate.
Lastly, I made collaboration my ally. Partnering with other small businesses for joint ventures allowed us to pool resources and expertise, amplifying our reach and capabilities. It’s like the saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This approach definitely helped me punch above my weight in the competitive arena.
Anup Kayastha
Founder, Serpnest
Be Consistent in Social Media
When my advertising business was just me, I posted on Twitter for a year and a half. I had a freelancer do a few hours of work per month for me, and between the two of us, we posted multiple times per day. We talked about industry news, opinions, and shared our views on the advertising business. Not much came of it until a person reached out with one of our first big campaigns. The key is that consistency, quality, and distribution made it possible to attract a big business opportunity.
In 2024, the fundamentals remain. Post content on social media. Commit to creating images, videos, and text targeted to your ideal customer for at least a year. The outcome may just be a large piece of business.
Robert Brill
CEO, Brill Media
Drive Awareness with Virtual Summits
As a small start-up in a competitive space, ProActuary needed to come up with a truly innovative strategy to outcompete the larger entities we were up against. We decided to launch a series of global three-day virtual summits and use my personal LinkedIn to drive awareness and get sign-ups for the events. This worked remarkably well.
In 2020, we held the Digital Actuary Summit with 4,257 attendees from 63 countries, followed by The Growth Actuary Summit event in 2021 with 3,921 attendees from 70 countries, and then The Disruptive Actuary Summit event in 2022, which had 2,791 attendees from 57 countries. I believe these three events were the largest online events in the world for actuaries during those three years. Quite an achievement for a tiny little start-up!
Dr Mark Farrell (Fia)
CEO, Associate Professor & Actuary, ProActuary Jobs
Connect Personally with Clients
Being human. The biggest difference between small and large companies is the connection you have with smaller companies. Be present, show up, and share your passion with your clients, as this will almost always attract the best quality clients.
Don’t try to compete with large companies; if individuals want that from you, they’re probably not a good fit. Being small allows you to be flexible and adaptable, and to listen to your clients’ needs, unlike large companies, which are often mired in bureaucracy.
The attention to detail, care, and thoughtfulness you can provide as a sole proprietor will outshine larger companies, and customers who want more than simply the best price will notice. If you find yourself stuck on pricing, shift your focus to the value you provide and how you help your clients achieve their goals.
Being human will always win in the long run!
Brandon Ward
Podcaster & Video Editor, Order Within Podcast
Leverage Technology for Personalized Solutions
As the President of Oyer, Macoviak and Associates, I’ve applied my unique background in accounting and software to transform our insurance agency into one of the largest in Palm Beach County. One innovative strategy that has set us apart from larger competitors is the adoption of cutting-edge digital and marketing trends tailored to enhance the personal connection we have with our clients.
For instance, we leveraged data analytics to better understand our clients’ needs and crafted personalized insurance solutions. This approach not only improved client satisfaction but also significantly increased our client retention rates, demonstrating how technology can amplify a personal touch in a digital world.
Furthermore, we utilized digital marketing strategies to target specific segments of the market with specialized insurance products, such as boat owners’ insurance and umbrella liability protection. By doing this, we’ve been able to offer unique value propositions that larger companies, with their more generalized product offerings, aren’t able to match. This targeted approach, combined with our commitment to personalized client relations, has enabled us to successfully compete with much larger entities, turning our size into an advantage by being agile and responsive to market trends and client needs.
Robert Macoviak
President, Oyer, Macoviak and Associates
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