Image by Elena Pashynnaia from Pixabay

By Henry Brown

At one point in time, a major selling point for a lot of brands was the fact that they were sustainable, eco-friendly, and/or zero waste. Now, with the massive impact of climate change and the unfortunate changes that have happened within the environment, you could easily say that there have been some changes and expectations when it comes to consumer demand and overall marketing trends.

Essentially, business owners who are eco-friendly will need to stand out as more businesses are making the switch toward sustainability. Now, this is technically good news, as it’s all about protecting the planets and reversing what’s been happening.

However, for small business owners who have made themselves known for their sustainability, it’s an issue. In an industry where it’s expected to be eco-friendly, you can’t entirely use this as your selling point anymore, right? Well, here are some ways that you can make your business stand out in your industry while still staying true to being eco-friendly and zero-waste!

You’re first going to need a new selling point

While there was a high chance you were riding off of being eco-friendly, this is no longer considered a unique selling point; rather, it’s an expectation for most businesses to incorporate this now.   Developing a unique selling point is an essential part of building your zero-waste business. It’s what separates you from your competition and encourages customers to choose you over others. USPs are more than just slogans and must embody all aspects of your business.

So think about something your brand and your business really specializes in, something that can truly help get you more attention than your competition. You must remember the key is to stand out, so this might mean that you’ll have to develop something that can help you stand out. For example, if your business generates a lot of plastic scrap, you can highlight that you promote reusable alternatives to disposable cutlery and bags. You can also look for opportunities to partner with businesses that share your eco-friendly practices. Just take some time to reflect on what makes your business special and use this as much as possible!

Consider building up a community

The goal of being a zero-waste business is to reduce the amount of trash that your company creates. While it is impossible for many businesses to produce a completely zero-waste product, by doing your part, you can make an impact. One way to do this is by building a community of like-minded people. You can do this by promoting your zero-waste lifestyle and encouraging others to join in.

By doing this, you will promote a healthier environment and increase your customer loyalty. With this community, it can be simple as creating some content and even having little workshops such as zero waste macrame cotton rope creation, an eco-crafts get-together, or something else that’s on brand and targets your audience. By doing this, you will create a buzz around your zero-waste business and help the community grow. You will also encourage other companies to adopt a more sustainable model.

Don’t be afraid to share your success

Having a good reputation as a green company can help businesses attract new customers, increase business opportunities, and build loyalty with existing ones.  One of the best ways to build this continuous positive reputation is through sharing your success and the stories that tie in with it. If you’re working with a company and turning their old waste into products, then share it! If you’re preventing tons of waste, then share it! If you’re donating to a cause, then share it! At the end of the day, just share it!

Consider creating an app

Creating an app can help your business promote its eco-friendly initiatives. Whether you want to reduce food waste, offer tips on the best environmental practices, or signpost recycling and composting services, you can create an app that will set your company apart from the competition. Whatever your business is, there’s a chance that a customer (and you) could benefit from the app. This is especially apparent if you’re running something like a store/e-commerce, as mobile users are rampant. So this is something to definitely keep in mind.

It’s all in the marketing

At the end of the day, it’s about how you market yourself that allows your sustainable business to get more traction in your industry. This might mean that you’ll have to go against the grain to get it noticed, but there truly isn’t anything wrong with that. But this is something that you should keep in mind. A few social media photos like flat lays can only do so much, and content is king, so make sure you go above and beyond for marketing.

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Henry Brown is an online marketing executive. When he isn’t talking shop, he’s roaming the streets of London, uncovering the extra-ordinary in the ordinary.