by Sujan Patel for HubSpot
If you scrape your knee, do you ask for a bandage or a Band-Aid? Successful companies like Band-Aid have one important thing in common: a strong brand positioning strategy. In fact, their brand names have become generic terms for all similar products in their niche.
A strong brand positioning strategy is an absolute must for all businesses striving for success — and the proof is in the numbers. Brands that are consistently presented see an average revenue increase of 10-20%, and successful branding yields benefits such as increased customer loyalty, an improved image, and a relatable identity that sets you apart from the competition.
A strong brand positioning strategy is an absolute must for all businesses striving for success — and the proof is in the numbers. Brands that are consistently presented see an average revenue increase of 10-20%. Successful branding yields benefits such as increased customer loyalty, an improved image, and a relatable identity that sets you apart from the competition.
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How do you actually create that positioning strategy, though? I asked experts this exact question and, in this post, I’ll share their insight along with the framework for successfully positioning your brand within your ideal market.
Below are the high-level topics I’ll cover, but don’t worry — I’ll still get into the weeds so you have a thorough understanding of how to position your brand.
- What is brand positioning?
- Why is brand positioning important?
- How to Create a Brand Positioning Strategy
- The Brand Positioning Map
- Brand Positioning Examples
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10 Positioning Statement Templates
Everything you need to create a stand-out positioning statement.
- Defining a positioning statement
- 6 tips for writing a positioning statement
- 10 industry specific positioning statement templates
- And more!
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What is Brand Positioning?
Brand positioning is the process of positioning your brand in the mind of your customers. More than a tagline or a fancy logo, brand positioning is the strategy used to set your business apart from the rest.
Denver Burke, Head of Insights and Demand Generation at Fuelius says, “In today’s fast-paced business world, a strong brand message is one of the few things that remains constant.”
He adds, “Acquiring new customers is crucial for any business, but building and retaining strong relationships with existing customers through your brand is what will truly future-proof your business.”
Effective brand positioning happens when your brand is perceived favorably, valuable, and credible to the consumer. The sum of those three becomes unique to your business, and your customers carve out a place for you in their minds.
This is important because being “different” from the competition isn’t enough to win in the market. Take it from brand positioning expert Will Barron at Salesman.org — he says, “You only get the opportunity to position your brand when you’re doing something remarkable. Anything else and it’s just comparison.”
Why is brand positioning important?
More than a century ago, a soda company decided to offer a never-before-seen product: the first-ever cola drink. In doing so, it successfully positioned itself as the original. Now, Coca-Cola benefits from millions of sales worldwide and is a household staple. It’s positioned in our minds as the gold standard of soda.
Brand positioning allows a company to differentiate itself from competitors. This differentiation helps a business increase brand awareness, communicate value, and justify pricing — all impacting its bottom line.
And, you have a reputation whether you cultivate it or not, so you might as well create a brand positioning plan to help you control your reputation and brand image.
Jigar Thakker, Chief Business Officer at INSIDEA, seconds this, as he told me that brand positioning is bridging the gap between what customers need and the unique solution you offer that fulfills them. He says, “It [brand positioning] cements how your product or service stands out and ultimately wins over customers. It helps your target market identify your brand and understand why you are the best choice and the leader in your market.”
But, not all brand positioning strategies are the same or have the same objective. Your positioning and messaging will vary depending on the nature of your offering and industry.
Below, I’ll review a few common positioning strategies to help you get started.
Types of Brand Positioning Strategies
- Customer Service Positioning Strategy
- Convenience-Based Positioning Strategy
- Price-Based Positioning Strategy
- Quality-Based Positioning Strategy
- Differentiation Strategy
- Social Media Positioning Strategy
- Other Positioning Strategies
When you’re deciding how to position your brand in the marketplace, you have several options to choose from. Still, the most important recommendation I can give is this: you want to tailor your brand positioning strategy to highlight your product’s competitive advantage and point out your competition’s shortcomings.
Below are a few popular positioning strategies that you can use to differentiate your brand in the market.
1. Customer Service Positioning Strategy
There’s a pretty good chance you’ve selected a retailer, restaurant, or another service provider because of its customer service at least once.
I find that companies in verticals known for inattentive support benefit from highlighting their friendly customer service to differentiate themselves. Other companies with products that are particularly complicated can highlight their strong support systems to attract new customers.
The most tangible benefit of this strategy is that great customer service can help justify a higher price point. Apple’s products, for example, come at a high premium, but its support staff is friendly and quick to respond.
These service interactions are also an integral part of the flywheel — an initially unhappy customer may become a promoter if they have a great service experience.
Be diligent with this strategy. If you advertise exceptional customer service but don’t deliver, you’ll invite bad reviews, angry tirades over phone and email, callouts on social media, and even Better Business Bureau complaints.
HubSpot’s founder and CTO, Dharmesh Shah, uses this simple equation to explain customer delight and stay accountable to delivering the brand promise: Customer delight = experience – expectations.
My Pro Tip: Be sure to equip your team with the right customer service software to deliver on your promise.
2. Convenience-Based Positioning Strategy
A convenience-based positioning strategy highlights why a company’s product or service is more convenient than the competition’s. You can base convenience on factors like location, ease of use, wide accessibility, and multi-platform support.
The convenience may also be because of the product’s design. For example, Swiffer advertises its WetJet product as a convenient alternative to a traditional mop because of its disposable mopping pads.
Positioning your product or service as the most convenient will automatically attract busy consumers. And, like the previous strategy, it can also justify a higher price point. For example, a Swiffer WetJet costs $26, whereas an O-Cedar mop is $10.
Burke agrees: “If you have a highly-priced product, it [a compelling brand story] helps to justify your pricing strategy by emphasizing the quality and value that your audience will receive. Not only will this provide reassurance to them, but it could increase your chances of being considered.”
But in some cases, offering convenience can be costly. For instance, if you’re in the B2B SaaS space and you offer your product across multiple operating systems, you’ll likely need a strong, consistently available development team to deliver on your promise. Those developers would need to be on call to resolve bugs and other issues for this positioning strategy to work — and the costs to support them might get out of hand.
The last item I recommend checking is if your product is truly convenient. The WetJet mop, for example, could potentially be inconvenient because customers constantly have to go to the store to buy refills. If you sold a similar product, you might want to offer automatic refill programs or subscriptions to fulfill your customers’ expectations of convenience.
3. Price-Based Positioning Strategy
A company uses a price-based position strategy to present its product or service as the most affordable option. When you position your product as the cheapest on the market, you can generate a large customer base because no one likes to spend more than they have to. Offering the lowest price is an easy way to get prospects to convert.
I have to note that this strategy comes with its share of risks and drawbacks — namely, giving prospects the impression of lower production quality.
You might also run into economic issues that can hinder your brand positioning over time — like Subway’s $5 footlong that couldn’t survive inflation. Price-based positioning can also initiate a price war, though that mainly applies to certain industries such as air travel.
10 Positioning Statement Templates
Everything you need to create a stand-out positioning statement.
- Defining a positioning statement
- 6 tips for writing a positioning statement
- 10 industry specific positioning statement templates
- And more!
Get Your Free Templates
4. Quality-Based Positioning Strategy
Companies implement this strategy when they want to emphasize the quality of their product —quality that often comes at a premium cost.
The quality of a product can be shown through exceptional craftsmanship, small-batch production, high-quality materials, and even sustainable practices that make it more expensive to produce. The quality of service can be shown through evidence of exceptional end results, high ROI, and glowing customer testimonials.
Budget-conscious shoppers may bypass your brand in favor of a cheaper alternative, so I recommend looking at your buyer personas: your target customers’ income and shopping habits determine whether emphasizing quality (with a higher premium) is the right approach for your brand.
5. Differentiation Strategy
A differentiation positioning strategy relies on a product’s uniqueness or innovative qualities in comparison to the traditional competition. Tesla is a great example.
Before the Tesla vehicles existed, there wasn’t an attractive, fully electric vehicle available for purchase. Now, it’s one of the leading tech companies in the self-driving car and AI robots space.
If you implement this strategy, consumers who value innovation will be attracted to your brand and product. The one potential limitation is that the public could be discouraged by the lack of history of use. If your product is completely new, I recommend providing the research and testing that went into its creation. Often, innovation-driven consumers like to know how the new technology or product works.
6. Social Media Positioning Strategy
Kevin D’Arcy, CEO at ThinkFuel, says digital storytelling is the newest evolution of brand positioning in the 21st century: “Through immersive websites, interactive ads, and social media narratives, brands can create a participatory experience that captivates the audience. This approach allows consumers to become co-creators of the brand story, offering them a personal stake in its success.”
Social media brand positioning is unique because it’s focused on a set of channels rather than a stand-alone tactic. And the channels your brand uses (and doesn’t use) say just as much as your messaging does.
Believe it or not, your brand doesn’t have to show up across each platform (I also wouldn’t suggest you use every single platform). When using this strategy, the key is to choose the channels your target market uses the most. I recommend considering the following three factors when choosing a social media platform for your brand strategy:
- Where your target audience spends their time
- Where your target audience spends money
- Where your target audience looks for information and advice
There’s a chance you can find these three areas on one social platform, but they might be spread across several. Once you narrow down where your brand should show up, you can craft your messaging to meet customers where they are.
7. Other Positioning Strategies
These aren’t the only strategies out there. You can position your brand as the leader, the first of its kind (the original), or the most popular. You can also position your product as the solution to a pervasive problem.
Another approach is to directly compare your brand to your competitors. In this strategy, you’d directly call out your competition in your ad campaigns and highlight your product’s advantages over theirs. Popeyes vs. Chick-fil-A is a great example of this, and I’ll dive into their battle further below.
When crafting your position, take a close look at your target buyers and their behaviors. Whether they prefer to save, spend money on quality, or have the latest and newest gadget will determine how you position your brand. Jigar says, “When your brand is positioned just right, your target audience is curious to know more. You can attract the right eyeballs and keep them coming back for more because they believe in what you’re selling.”
Now that you know the approaches you can take, it’s time to create a positioning plan. Below, I’ll outline how you can establish your brand as the friendliest, the most convenient, the cheapest, or simply the best choice compared to other brands.
How to Create a Brand Positioning Strategy
- Determine your current brand positioning.
- Create a brand essence chart.
- Identify your competitors.
- Conduct competitor research.
- Identify your unique value proposition.
- Build a brand positioning framework.
- Create your positioning statement.
- Evaluate whether your positioning works.
- Establish an emotional connection with prospects and customers.
- Reinforce your brand’s differentiating qualities during the sales process.
- Create value.
- Ensure that customer-facing employees embody your brand.
Creating your brand positioning strategy involves diving deep into the details of your brand and discovering what you do better than anyone else, and Mike Wessel, Director of Consulting Services at Blue Frog endorses this: “Nailing your positioning centers around pinpointing the unique value you deliver, and understanding who loves that value the most.”
Below, I’ll go over the key steps to help you create a brand positioning strategy unique to your business.
1. Determine your current brand positioning.
Are you marketing your product or service as just another item on the market, or are you marketing it as something distinctive? Your current brand positioning gives you important insight into where to go next. You’ll need to understand your current position to further analyze your competition.
I recommend you start by considering your target customers and defining who they are. Next, identify your mission, values, and what makes you different from the rest of the market. Finally, take stock of your value proposition and your current brand persona and brand voice.
Matylda Chmielewska at LiveChat Partner Program advises, “We all like connecting with brands that sound and feel authentic to us. Instead of building complex lingo that no one will be able to understand, just talk human. Start with researching who your (ideal and existing) audience is, and use their language.”
10 Positioning Statement Templates
Everything you need to create a stand-out positioning statement.
- Defining a positioning statement
- 6 tips for writing a positioning statement
- 10 industry specific positioning statement templates
- And more!
Get Your Free Templates
2. Create a brand essence chart.
Once you’ve determined where your brand stands within the market, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of what your brand means to customers. A brand essence chart can help organize these ideas so that they’re clear and concise. You’ll also be able to use this chart for copywriting and design inspiration.
The brand essence chart is made up of seven components:
Attributes: Think of these as features. For a physical product, this might be a little easier to brainstorm than SaaS or a technology product.
Benefits: What does the customer get to experience as a result of the attributes of your product or service?
Personality: These adjectives describe characteristics of your brand. Don’t be afraid to take out a thesaurus for this part, either. Personalities can and should be nuanced in order to distinguish your brand from the competition.
Source of Authority and Support: What is the foundation of your brand? It might be a long-standing history of expertise in the industry, awards, and recognition by regulatory agencies in your vertical, scientific research, or even unwavering customer support in the form of reviews and testimonials.
What It Says About You (The Customer): Based on the elements we’ve discussed thus far, what does your brand say about your ideal customer? Use inspiration from the personality section to help you complete this section.
How It Makes You (The Customer) Feel: What are some words or phrases your ideal customer might use to describe how they feel when they interact with your brand? This section of the brand essence chart will help you find a niche angle for your brand messaging.
Positioning/Brand Essence: Finally, you’ll tie all of these elements together to create a simple statement that describes what the customer should take away from your brand. This shouldn’t be confused with a formal positioning statement, you can find more on developing that here.
3. Identify your competitors.
After analyzing yourself, it’s important to analyze your competition by performing competitor analysis. Why? You need to see who you’re up against to conduct competitor research. That research will help you decide what you can do better in your strategy to gain an edge.
There are different methods for determining your competition, including:
- Conducting market research: I recommend asking your sales team what competitors come up during the sales process, or do a quick search using a market keyword and see which companies are listed.
- Use customer feedback: Ask your customers which businesses or products they were considering before choosing yours.
- Use social media:Quora offers a platform where consumers can ask questions about products and services. Search these forums to discover competitors in your niche. I’d also recommend looking on Reddit for Subreddits related to your business or niche to learn more about what your target audience might be looking for.
4. Conduct competitor research.
Wessel says, “From my experience, it is critical to really challenge yourself on how your capabilities or features compare to both competitors and alternatives.”
So, once you’ve determined who your competitors are, it’s time to conduct in-depth competitor research. You’ll need to analyze how your competition is positioning their brand in order to compete. At its simplest, your research should include:
- What products or services your competitors offer
- What their strengths and weaknesses are
- What marketing strategies they’re using successfully
- What their position is in the current market
You work at your business, so it’s normal to assume that you’re proud of what you offer. So, when it comes to making sure your competitor analysis is as impartial as possible, Wessel says, “Seeking an outside perspective can be invaluable in overcoming internal biases.”
5. Identify your unique value proposition.
Building a unique brand is all about identifying what makes you different and what works best for your business. Chmielewska suggests, “Start by defining what ‘effective’ really means for your brand — and then build its image based on that.”
After you conduct your competitor research, I imagine you’ll start to see patterns in that some businesses have the same strengths and weaknesses. As you compare your product or service to theirs, you might find one of their weaknesses is your strength.
This is what makes your brand unique — and it’s the perfect starting point for positioning your brand in the market. Take note of your unique offerings as you compare, and dive deep to identify what you do better than anyone else.
5. Build a brand positioning framework.
Positioning a brand can seem overwhelming at first — with so many touchpoints, it can be hard to prioritize a key message. A brand positioning framework like the one below can help your brand positioning strategy.
This framework uses a top-down approach, starting with the big idea and ending with sample touchpoints that you can use in tactical instances like social media captions, headlines for blog articles, and advertising copy. I’ve listed some helpful articles below that you can use as step-by-step guides for completing each section of your brand positioning framework:
- Big Idea
- Value Proposition
- Target Audience
- Mission Statement
- Tone of Voice
- Elevator Pitch
- Message Pillars
- Sample Touchpoints
6. Create your positioning statement.
It’s time to take what you’ve learned and create a brand positioning statement. A positioning statement briefly describes your brand’s unique offer and explains how it meets your customer’s needs.
I know it sounds similar to a value proposition, but it’s different in that it focuses on your differentiator, and your positioning statement focuses on the primary benefits you offer your customer and why they would need your product or service.
Wessel says, “By understanding the customer’s ‘job-to-be-done’, you ensure the messaging stays focused on their point of view and their desired outcomes. The stronger aligned your positioning is to helping customers get their job done better, faster, and/or cheaper, the stronger your brand position will resonate with your target market.”
I recommend crafting your positioning statement after creating your value proposition because it will help you determine what to focus on. Here are four guiding questions to guide you through your process:
- Who is your target customer?
- What’s your product or service category?
- What’s the greatest benefit of your product or service?
- What’s the proof of that benefit?
From there, you can craft a simple but compelling positioning statement. For example, take a look at Amazon’s positioning statement: “Our vision is to be the earth’s most customer-centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.”
Amazon’s target customer — although incredibly broad — is anyone. They sell a wide range of products for everyone, which is also their greatest benefit. And the proof? It’s all online.
10 Positioning Statement Templates
Everything you need to create a stand-out positioning statement.
- Defining a positioning statement
- 6 tips for writing a positioning statement
- 10 industry specific positioning statement templates
- And more!
Get Your Free Templates
8. Evaluate whether your positioning statement works.
Taking the time to position your brand to appeal to a certain customer is just the beginning. Once your positioning statement is created, it’s time to test, experiment, and gather feedback from your customers on whether or not your positioning achieves its goal.
As Ryan Robinson of RightBlogger says, “Investing the time and effort into positioning your brand to appeal toward a specific vertical, type of consumer, or demographic is only a small part of the battle. It’s crucial to test, experiment, and actively gather (real) feedback from your target customers on whether or not your positioning is actually having its desired effect.
He adds, “We’ve doubled down on our positioning by consistently asking for (and listening to) feedback from new customers when they join, and it’s clear that both our content and its delivery style remain a key asset for our brand.”
9. Establish an emotional connection with prospects and customers.
Connecting with your prospects on a human level before going in for the hard sell builds trust and helps your prospect have a more positive experience with your company’s brand.
For example, at the beginning of the sales process, reps should take ample time to learn about your prospects and what problem they are looking to solve by using your product.
Aside from me, take it from the experts — nearly everyone I spoke to mentioned the importance of an emotional connection with your audience when working on your positioning.
D’Arcy said: “Grasp the emotional impact your brand can make and reach beyond mere products or services to fulfill the deeper aspirations of your consumers.”
Jigar also said: “Your brand is not limited to your product’s features; it should shape perceptions and create a space in consumers’ minds. By focusing on the mental and emotional aspects, you can distinguish your brand in the crowded marketplace.”
10. Reinforce your brand’s differentiating qualities during the sales process.
With a strong brand position, the differentiating properties of your company’s offering should be easy to understand and refer to. Make sure your prospects understand what makes your brand unique throughout the sales process.
You probably already know what your key differentiators are, but you can always refer back to your competitor analysis to iron in the key points to call out during your sales process.
11. Create value.
I know you know this, but it’s worth repeating: your main goal should be to help your prospect solve a problem or overcome a challenge they are experiencing. Ideally, your company’s offering is part of the solution.
12. Ensure that customer-facing employees embody your brand.
Customer-facing employees are your company’s most valuable ambassadors. Prospects should receive an experience that embodies the core values of your company and aligns with the company’s brand. For example, if your company takes a light, fun approach to branding, you should incorporate this language into your sales conversations. Having an overly serious or stiff tone would not be authentic to your company’s brand.
Brand Positioning Map: The Power of Perception
If you want to see how your brand compares to others in consumers’ perceptions, a brand positioning map can help. According to the American Marketing Association (AMA), “Perceptual brand mapping is the visual plotting of specific brands against axes, where each axis represents an attribute that is known to drive brand selection.”
A brand positioning map consists of attributes that are important to your target audience. To do mapping right, I recommend creating multiple versions of your map based on different sets of attributes, which you can get directly from the values your customers hold dear. The perception of your product or service is linked directly to those values, and brands focusing on shared values win in the end.
As Harvard Business Review states, “Build brand loyalty on shared values with your consumers. It is not the number of interactions a buyer has with your brand, but the quality and relatability of the interaction.”
If you place your brand and your competitors on your map, you’ll get a sense of who’s more competitive in a certain area over the rest.
Brand Positioning Examples
- Bumble vs. Tinder
- Starbucks vs. Dunkin’
- Spotify vs. Apple Music
- Popeyes vs. Chick-Fil-A
- Target vs. Walmart
- Cashapp vs. Venmo
- Peloton vs. Bowflex VeloCore
- Google Meet vs. Zoom
There are plenty of companies that have excelled at brand positioning over the years by building a positioning strategy that rivals the rest. Here are eight of my favorite examples.
1. Bumble vs. Tinder
Founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe after her departure from Tinder, Bumble was positioned as an app designed to empower women to take control when connecting with new people.
In addition to its initial focus on bettering the female user experience, Bumble has expanded beyond the dating category, allowing users to find friendship and professional connections within the platform. Tinder, on the other hand, focuses on fleeting connections.
Bumble’s vs. Tinder’s Positioning Strategy
Why I Like Bumble’s Positioning Strategy: Bumble’s positioning strategy stands out because it focuses on its differentiation. On its website, the brand states, “Bumble was first founded to challenge the antiquated rules of dating.” Indeed, its approach was much more different than any other app’s, with women being the initiators rather than men.
Why I Like Tinder’s Positioning Strategy: Tinder’s positioning strategy is leader-based; the brand uses its established history and popularity to compel people to join. I like that it doesn’t identify itself as a leader in online dating because such a tone wouldn’t fit the industry. Instead, it implies its leadership standing by highlighting its number of users and nearly decade-long history.
2. Starbucks vs. Dunkin’
While Starbucks and Dunkin’ seem different, they both target customers who go on a coffee run every morning. While Starbucks’ branding hinges on the in-store experience, Dunkin’s branding focuses on its two principal offerings: coffee and donuts. Its slogan, “American Runs on Dunkin’,” emphasizes the wide-ranging availability of its products. Starbucks, on the other hand, focuses on highlighting craft and offering a more traditional coffee shop experience.
Starbucks’ vs. Dunkin’s Positioning Strategy
Why I Like Starbucks’ Positioning Strategy: Starbucks’ green and brown branding directly opposes Dunkin’s bright pink and orange colors.
It shows in its strategy, too, as Starbucks focuses on quality vs quantity and availability, and this is clearly displayed on its Coffee Finder page: “Our coffee masters have distilled their years of tasting knowledge down to three simple questions to help you find a Starbucks coffee you’re sure to love.” This verbiage conveys Starbucks’ focus on quality rather than quantity and even availability.
Why I Like Dunkin’s Positioning Strategy: I think Dunkin’ does a great job creating a positioning strategy centered around both its leadership in the field and wide-ranging availability, as well as its convenience, which is something we all crave as consumers.
“Dunkin’, founded in 1950, is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States, with more than 13,200 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets,” it states, highlighting how convenient it is to simply stop by for a coffee fix.
3. Spotify vs. Apple Music
The Spotify vs. Apple Music debate is the subject of infinite attention — I just looked it up on Google, and there are 517 million results.
Spotify is known for its high personalization, whereas Apple Music is known for a more premium song selection and, of course, the high-quality Apple brand. Though their offerings are strikingly similar, both brands use radically different strategies to position themselves in the market.
Spotify’s vs. Apple Music’s Positioning Strategy
Why I Like Spotify’s Positioning Strategy: Spotify uses a price-based strategy, which is its key differentiator. Its premium options are nearly identical to Apple Music’s in terms of pricing, but it offers a free plan that makes it more accessible.
Why I Like Apple Music’s Positioning Strategy: Given the similar pricing tiers, Apple Music aims to position itself as the better option with a quality-based approach, touting its 100-million song catalog and sound quality as principal attractors.
4. Popeyes vs. Chick-fil-A
Popeyes and Chick-fil-A have one thing in common — fried chicken. Other than that, the brands couldn’t be more different. Popeyes focuses on down-home, southern, Cajun-style recipes that pack a punch to your lunch hour. Chick-fil-A, on the other hand, refrains from this edgy vibe and offers tried and true favorites that everyone in the family will enjoy every day (except Sunday).
Popeyes vs. Chick-fil-A Positioning Strategy
Why I Like Popeyes’ Positioning Strategy: Popeyes uses a differentiation strategy focused on how it stands out from the crowd in terms of ingredients and flavors that can hold its weight when compared head-to-head with the industry gold standard that is Chick-fil-A.
My favorite aspect of its differentiation strategy that fully sets it apart from Chick-fil-A is that it’s open on Sundays, letting customers know it’s there for them 365, especially if others aren’t.
Why I Like Chick-fil-A Positioning Strategy: Chick-fil-A touts a hybrid customer service and quality-based approach. The most unique aspect of its brand positioning is that its strategies are overt and covert.
It rarely boasts about its stellar customer service as it does the quality of its sandwiches and salads — the company simply lets the employee’s actions speak for themselves. In my opinion, you’ve nailed your unique differentiator if you don’t need to actively prove what sets you apart from the competition.
5. Target vs. Walmart
This long-standing rivalry is a textbook example of a brand positioning strategy at work. For some customers, geography might be a barrier to experiencing the Target brand since there are far more Walmart stores nationwide. But for the most part, these two retail chains are earning their fair share of the market.
Target vs. Walmart Positioning Strategy
Why I Like Walmart’s Positioning Strategy: Walmart became the industry standard for convenient and inexpensive shopping for everything from groceries to automotive supplies. The mega-retailer focuses less on quality-based and customer service positioning – two areas Target adopted.
Why I Like Target’s Positioning Strategy: Sure, I could say, “Both stores sell the same items; what’s the difference?” I think Target fans would disagree and gladly point to seemingly longer lines and less organized aisle shelves at Walmart that make for a less-than-stellar shopping experience. But, Walmart patrons find the low prices and convenience of having a store just a few blocks away worth it.
6. Cash App vs. Venmo
Cash App and Venmo have become cultural mainstays in their own right. When getting paid back once relied on “I’ll pay you back later,” both apps now ensure everyone keeps their word by letting users request the funds they’re owed.
I use both apps, but I know that some of my friends have a strict preference.
Cash App vs. Venmo Positioning Strategy
Why I Like Cash App’s Positioning Strategy: Cash App focuses on getting money from point A to B as quickly as possible. Its positioning strategy, focused on convenience, is apparent right from the app’s home screen as you land on the screen to initiate a transaction.
Why I Like Venmo’s Positioning Strategy: Venmo puts the transactional aspect of sending and receiving money on the back burner and centering connections with friends. Instead of the transactional screen, the landing page is a log of your friend’s recent transactions.
7. Peloton vs. Bowflex VeloCore
If you thought the market for at-home stationary bikes was a monolith, I invite you to think again. This segment of the at-home workout equipment market has boomed in the past few years, with Peloton leading the way. Although the brand isn’t brand new, it’s one of the youngest players in the industry and is giving seasoned competitors like Bowflex a serious reason to sweat.
Peloton vs. Bowlfex VeloCore Positioning Strategy
Why I Like Peloton’s Positioning Strategy: Peloton’s brand combines convenience with social media positioning strategies to expertly appeal to younger consumers with disposable income to spend on workouts. It keeps a pulse on trends that make the markets tick and offers products and services that meet those needs in (what seems like) real time.
Why I Like Bowflex VeloCore’s Positioning Strategy: Bowflex VeloCore knows that behind all the Peloton hype is a steep price point that boxes many out of the market, so the brand competes on price instead. With a comparable (and, by some standards, better) product, its brand essence chart looks completely different from one Peloton might have. Here’s my take on Bowflex VeloCore’s chart:
And here’s Monigle senior director Brian Elkins’ rendition of Peloton’s chart:
8. Google Meet vs. Zoom
2020 changed how we lived and worked. Virtual connection became the new normal, and tools like Google Meet and Zoom were at the forefront of everyone’s minds. While both serve a similar purpose — bringing people together over the web — they have stark differences in the way they’re positioned.
Google and Zoom have a similar immediate time to value metric since they both require an app to perform properly and have free, but limited, usage of their platforms.
Google Meet vs. Zoom Positioning Strategy
Why I Like Zoom’s Positioning Strategy: Zoom took the forefront of the media as the solution to work-from-home meetings. It skyrocketed in popularity, and held strong its position as a convenience-based saving grace for isolated professionals.
Why I Like Google’s Positioning Strategy: Google Meet’s positioning strategy expertly focused on differentiating itself as a connect-from-home solution for families and friends who couldn’t gather in person, despite also offering professional solutions.
Successfully Position Your Brand for Growth
A strong brand makes all the difference when entering or competing in any market. A unique brand positioning strategy is critical to making a statement, getting (and keeping) your target audience’s attention, and successfully growing your brand.
Since a strong brand makes all the difference when entering or competing in any market, I recommend leveraging the brand positioning strategies and frameworks outlined in this article to place yourself in the sweet spot of your target market.
