No matter what product or service you sell, your competitors are selling something similar. To make sure your offer – and every aspect of your customers’ experience – stands out from the pack… you should find out what they are up to.

Your first step is to collect your competitors’ marketing materials. Find their print ads, call their 800 numbers, look at their websites, sign up for their newsletters, and read the sales letters they are going to start sending you. Among other things, you’re looking for the quality of their copy, layout, format, benefits, offers, and pricing.

Then start buying their products. Keep track of any problems that crop up with your orders, how long it takes for your products to arrive, and how these companies follow up with you.

Compare what you learn about the way your competitors operate to what you are doing… and use that information to make your own efforts better.

[Ed. Note: Competitive intelligence is a great way to get a leg up on your competitors and improve your business. Another way is to make formal goal setting part of your everyday routine. For a step-by-step guide (and year-long support) to achieving all your business – and personal – goals in the new year, join Early to Rise’s Total Success Achievement Program 2009. Find out more about how this program can help you here.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at 5:10 am and is filed under Business Building .