There's a lot of clutter out there. Each one of us is bombarded with people trying to get our business. Today we'll talk about what you can do to stand out from the rest.

As always, you can listen to this in audio form on your computer, or sign up for our podcast through iTunes. I look forward to your comments! Send them to me at sharon@bendingdesign.com.

You're fighting for your prospects' attention. So are plenty of others like you. How can you ensure your message is the one that will land the business?

There's no hard and fast answer, but there are things you can do to get started. Stepping outside of your day-to-day role and thinking creatively about what you can do helps tremendously. Taking time out to focus on what your competitors are and are not doing is well worth your while.

• Put yourself in your prospects' place. Close your eyes and imagine their day — the websites they visit, the phone calls they receive, the events they go to and the publications they read. Imagine how many times a day they come into contact with people wanting their business, and how those contacts occur. Think of an approach that would stand out. It's easy to do what everyone else is doing, but is it worth it?
  
  We recently purchased space in a service directory listing in a magazine read by our prospects. There were already other design firms, but looking at the other listings I found myself bored with them. They all said the same thing in their own bland way. I wanted to separate Bending Design from those but all I had was about 80 words and our logo. Here's what we wrote:
  
  

  You know the pitch: "We're an agency who helps financial institutions effectively communicate with their core audience through the strategic use of blah, blah, blah." Look, we all do the same stuff. What sets Bending Design apart is the passion we have for our work and the strong, ongoing relationships we form with our clients. For our portfolio and other pearls of wisdom, email Sharon@bendingdesign.com. Just mention, "I want more than blah, blah, blah."

  
  The listing has only been in one issue so far and we’ve already received some inquiries.
  
  
• Don't become locked into the traditional ways of thinking. Standing out could be as simple as your choice of words on a call, or the type of content on your website. It could be a direct mail campaign offering a glimpse into the way you work — perhaps sending out a white paper or article you've written. Getting your prospects actively involved in return for a valued piece of information is a great way to go about it.
  
  One of our clients offers valuable industry information in the form of a survey results book. They entice their prospects to fill out the survey with the promise of receiving a copy of the results book. Now they not only have more information on their prospects, but they are perceived exactly as they promote themselves — as experts.

If you need help with some ideas send me a note or call me at 847-844-8640 and we can brainstorm on what will work for you. We don't only create design that communicates, but work with you to determine the right format and message of the communication.