When you’re starting up your new business, you’re probably brimming with ideas, hopes, dreams, visions, you name it. It’s not hard to see why. Basically, the more a business and owner get out there, the more preferred they become. But at the same time, it’s so quick and easy for something to go wrong when it’s a small business. For example, if you take the initiative to create a course or even host some workshops, that alone sort of proves that you’re a “big deal”.
But with that said, before you get too ahead of yourself, you have to keep in mind that launching a small business is like stepping onto a rollercoaster full of ups and downs. One of the trickiest parts? Building trust and standing out in a sea of established giants. You can host workshops and create a course, but if your business doesn’t seem big and reliable, then your audience might be a bit skittish when getting involved.
That’s why some small businesses decide to puff up their feathers and appear bigger than they are. It’s not lying; it’s just about appearing professional rather than appearing like an amateur. So, with that said, why should a business do this? How can it help?
Why Bother Pretending To Look Bigger Than You Are?
So, there’s a difference between outright lying about who’s on your team, how big your business is, and the appearance of your business. Again, going back to the website example, if you have a gorgeous website, it’s going to immediately make you appear like a large professional website, the same goes for the graphic design and imagery you use. But there are all those little things too, like if you add live chat to website feature so you come off as more reachable (and it gives the impression you have a team of customer service people around the clock to help you), and the same for a thriving LinkedIn profile too. It really comes down to those things- which isn’t lying! But why bother doing this work?
Gain Instant Trust
Here’s the thing—people often equate size with success and reliability. It’s a bias that isn’t fair, but it’s just a harsh reality you’ll just need to face. If a company looks big, it’s assumed they must know what they’re doing. For new businesses, appearing larger can help snag that initial trust, which is gold when you’re trying to woo customers who might otherwise be wary of a brand-new player.
Holding Your Own Against The “Big Dogs”
A few heavyweights can dominate the business arena, and breaking into a market controlled by these giants is tough. Evne in the most niche of markets, there are huge competitors that will do what they can to kill your business. By looking at the part, smaller businesses can square up more confidently against these established brands, leveling the playing field and giving themselves a fighting chance. Basically, it kills the chances of bullying, and instead, they might fear for your business.
Getting The Talent You Need For Success
Everyone wants to be part of a winning team. Besides, being on a failing team will look bad on talent (even when it’s not their fault). So, with that said, prospective employees often look for stability and growth potential, qualities typically associated with larger organizations.
Now, talent loves working for the little guy, but at the end of the day they need stability, and they need to think of their own livelihood. So, just by appearing more established, your small businesses can attract ambitious talent eager to push the company forward.
Easier To Win Over Other Companies
Well, the trust of other companies, at least. When it comes to B2B, size matters; for the most part, larger companies are often seen as more reliable when handling big projects or orders. It’ll eventually become easier to clinch those crucial deals that can lead to growth.
Going Global (Or Just National)
Do you eventually want to expand? Want to expand to other cities? What about other countries? For example, if you’re a small business owner in Canada and you really want to reach out to Americans, then it’s still a lot easier to just act as if you’re bigger than you actually are. Size can make these ambitious moves smoother and more successful. It’s just easier to catch the eye of distant customers.
Boosting Your Brand’s Curb Appeal
So this isn’t meant in a literal sense. So, large businesses are impressed, swoon-worthy even. Businesses that seem larger often catch the eye of investors and media more easily, boosting their brand even further. This visibility can lead to more opportunities and, ultimately, real growth. Basically, you can on;ly go up, you can only grow, and it’s all just from creating that illusion, that digisguide.
Easier To Network On A Larger Scale
Sometimes, it’s about who you know, and in the business world, looking big can help you connect with the right crowd. It sounds ridiculous (and downright awful), but sometimes people won’t want to bother connecting with you if you’re not known or if you come off as a success.
Again, it’s not fair, and it’s tacky, but in business work, it can unfortunately be like that. So, with that all said, larger perceived businesses are often taken more seriously, giving you better access to industry leaders, influencers, and decision-makers at networking events and conferences.
How To Disguise Your Business As A Massive Success
So, just like what was said earlier, you’re not going to outright lie and deceive people- that’s not the goal or the intention. It’s just proving that your new small business is worthy of getting a chance and that it can be a success. But with that said, how can you properly make the disguise?
Professional Branding
First impressions are crucial- they’re everything! A professionally crafted logo, a slick website, and consistent branding materials like business cards and brochures can go a long way. People know when they see a Canva logo or a generic template- it’s obvious. So make sure you hire a professional to do this job.
It’s About Your Digital Presence
Something else that makes all the difference is this. So, you’ll need to make sure your website is easy to navigate, looks great on all devices, and is optimized for search engines. Keep your content fresh and engage actively on social media platforms that resonate with your audience. This doesn’t just spread your name; it builds a community around your brand. So, everything needs to appear polished and professional- right down to the boring Instagram story. Make sure you do this!
Use A Virtual Office
If you’re working from a cozy corner of your home or a small office, consider signing up for a virtual office service. It can give you a prestigious address, mail-handling services, and access to meeting spaces without the cost of a prime physical location. This can significantly boost your credibility. It’s a bad look to use your home address anyway.
Show Off Your Expertise
You have to let them know that, yes, you are an expert in what you do. It can be as simple as just writing articles, creating white papers, or giving talks that showcase your knowledge. When people see your insight and expertise, they see a leader in the field, not just another newcomer.
Team Up With Other Businesses Now
So, it’s going to be a really good idea to just go ahead and team up with other businesses that complement yours. This can extend your reach and give your business a more established feel. Plus, it’s great for networking and learning from those who have been in the game longer.
Media Coverage
Now, this one can be a little bit challenging to achieve, but honestly, it’s by far one of the best things you could do! Getting featured in the media can give your business a major credibility boost. Send out press releases for any big news or milestones- sometimes, you can pay a media company, and they’ll write an article about you. As you might have guessed, media coverage not only draws attention but also adds to your brand’s prestige.
Having An “About Us” Page
Simple, easy, genuine, what’s there not to love? Your team might be small, but there’s power in numbers—even small ones! Make sure your team members have professional email addresses linked to your domain, and feature them proudly on your website’s “About Us” page. Why not on your LinkedIn page, too?
Consistent, branded email signatures also beef up the professional vibe of every email sent. But if you’re just one person and no one else, then you should still page the page, but you don’t have to be open about the fact that it’s only you (but don’t lie and make fake “employees,” though).
Go Above And Beyond With Customer Service
To a degree, there’s the idea that only large successful businesses do solid customer service, but thats not true, all sizes can offer that! But in general, exceptional customer service can set you apart quickly. Just make sure you are responsive, solve problems gracefully, and go above and beyond when you can. This kind of service gets noticed and can often lead to repeat customers and referrals, which are gold for a growing business.
Find me on social media, because it’ll be great to have you there and follow me 🙂 :