Gone are the days when big businesses could rule their industries unchallenged, as modern innovation has levelled the playing field like never before. However, if you want to take on the big boys and win, you had better come prepared.

These five quick tips will help you aim your marketing slingshot against your industry's Goliath.

Identify your competitive advantage

Regardless of whether you have the lowest prices, biggest range of colors or unrivalled customer service – being the best matters. Keep a close eye on your main rivals, ensure you are outperforming them at every turn, and constantly look for ways to raise the bar.

If you really are the best, prove it – infographics and testimonials will help support your claims.

Make customers feel special

Everyone loves feeling like a VIP, so if you want your customers to keep coming back, treat them like celebrities.

Send special offers when people sign up for your services and reward their loyalty with free gifts and discounts.

Creating a "members only" section of your website is guaranteed to make people feel special, particularly if it comes with perks, deals and exclusive services.

Think differently

Solve a problem people didn't even know they had or follow Radiohead's lead and offer something on a pay-for-what-you-want basis.

Start making decisions by consensus, collaborate with other businesses or extend your opening hours late into the night. Trying something different will help you stand out from the crowd, so don't just break the mold, smash it!

Cut your costs

If you are serious about being competitive, save every dollar you can.

Go paperless, crowdsource new ideas, or allow some of your staff to work from home.

In 2009, Yahoo saved tens of millions of dollars by giving their staff a week of unpaid time off work at Christmas. Ryanair saved hundreds of thousands of dollars simply by serving less ice with drinks.

Be flexible

If a customer requests something that you don't specifically offer, provide it for them anyway if you can.

Starbucks has earned the undying loyalty of many a customer by allowing them to dream up their own creations.

Being open to custom requests will not only mean making another sale, it may even reveal a new trend that you can take advantage of.

So if you're tired of feeling like a small fish in a massive pond, fight back against those huge competitors by doing more of the little things right. Concentrate on quality in everything you do and aim to make waves in your pond!

Want More?

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Written by Jane Murray on Sunday, September 13, 2015

Jane Murray is a freelance copywriter based in Sydney. Apart from writing up a storm for the DesignCrowd blog on anything from logo design to Michael Jackson's shoes, she enjoys reading literary science fiction and hanging out with most animals except wasps. Get in touch via LinkedIn.