To "compete" or choose to "diminish the
competition" by leading the way.
How
to Diminish your Competition with Fresh Thinking
By John Alexander
A while
back, I wrote about 5
Ways To Attract New Visitors By Shifting Your Topic Focus
One of the easiest was to diminish
your
competition in the search results, is by carefully shifting
the focus of your Web site's content. This is not to say you
cannot compete and out perform your competition in the more
competitive markets by building your search marketing skills.
There will definitely be times when you WILL want to compete
and win. But for this article I want to share an old fashion
principle that still works great today as it always has.
Can you really diminish the competition just by changing the
focus of your content?
Yes, you absolutely can. You can bring in entirely new
audiences that never would have found you if you were just
following the same path as 99% of your competition.
But this
time now let's also explore how you can benefit by altering
your business focus (not just your Web content.)
To "compete" or choose to "diminish the
competition" by leading the way.
What's the difference you may ask, between leading and
following?
Do you really want to follow the crowd and compete with
the world? Of course you can if you wish. Why do so many
choose this way as opposed to doing something unique?
Probably, because it seems easier. But remember that if you choose to just follow the crowd then
you need to be prepared and fully ready to compete.
I don't say plan on losing but be prepared. Here's the thing.
If the only strategy you ever apply is that of competing with
the whole world, there will ultimately always be someone come
along who is just (a little) better than you once in a while.
It may not be by much, but expect to lose a couple of rounds
once in a while, unless you are fully equipped with the very
freshest abilities in determining SEO accuracy perfectly. And
you can learn to do that, but what I'm talking about here is a
different option that also allows you to be a winner and
"lead the way" instead of just following the crowd.
So what about creating a new business that is different?
So now let's
talk about your business and move on with some tips on...
How You Can
Diminish your Competition By Altering Your Business Focus
Here is one
way to make a difference in your business that can eliminate
the competition.
It's old fashioned, but it will always give you the edge if
you think it out correctly. If you want to lead the way, then
you must think about your business services a little differently. Easy
to say but for some it seems hard to do for some folks.
Tips for fashioning your business vision:
-
What is there to keep you
motivated?
It starts with your vision forming. But there literally has to be something inside of you that
continues to lead you on each and every day. Something that is
literally motivational enough to keep you focused on the
correct path. Once you have it, you probably won't need
anyone to confirm that you are on the right track.
-
Don't expect everyone to
appreciate what you trying to build. Some just won't get it.
It may even appear foreign to the competition. Your vision or
goal may actually be something that
just quite won't make any sense to others, because it is your
vision not theirs.
For example: From the scenario I shared above, someone running a large conference might think,
"Why would anyone want a tiny class size? We'd be losing
hundreds of thousands of dollars if we only worked with 25
students?" But the vision that Robin and I had back in 2002 was more
focused on imparting the skills to people than just filling
some big event. We wanted our students to leave the class
knowing that they were capably equipped. We believe that's why we experience such great lasting
relationships with our students. How will your business be
different?
-
When so many people tend to
follow the leader these days.
The new business that creates something original tends to
stand apart from the rest. With a focused, work hard play hard
ethic you fashion your objectives. It is not a part time hobby
mindset that will succeed here.
-
Develop an action plan and a
timeline.
Decide what actions need to take place in order
for any part of your vision to become a reality. By breaking
it down into very focused actions, you can then break it down
in terms of timelines. This is very important so that you
benchmark your progress towards your goals. If something is
not happening according to the plan, you easily identify it
and find out how to fix it.
-
Explore partnerships
Is there a way you can for good partnerships that are mutually
rewarding for your business? There nearly always is if you
explore the right avenues. If something don't work out, then
don't be afraid to move on. There should never be a rush to
build partner relations. Build slowly and use good wisdom.
Look for complimentary relationships with people who have
something genuine to offer. When you build relationships, build
genuine relationships that you can believe in. Don't build
relationships that are simply based on trying get something
without giving something too.
-
Tip: Avoid those who seem to be bitter
over some past experience and just cannot seem to get out of
being stuck in the past.
Don't
get involved in any type of get rich quick or easy wealth building schemes.
If your business isn't based upon some
integrity and backed with truth then don't even think about it.
There are more lazy man wealth creation tool kits and flim-flam artists out there
(both in the real world and online) than you
can shake a stick at. Beware of those who use the manipulative
tactics. Beware of promises that you'll be shown some lazy
man's secret to wealth and success. Beware of charming personalities and a
convincing routines but no real long term evidence of genuine
value.
Giving back to your community
Is there some cause that you believe in that you can also help
support. Find something worthy that you personally believe in
and it's amazing how like minded people are drawn together.
Become involved where people are involved, but not just
for the purpose of gaining leads or seeing what you can
get out of the relationship. Be a part to see how you can
be a support to someone else.
In Summary:
A few other bits of advice from someone I greatly admired,
Walt Disney made each of
the following quotes:
- "All
the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and
obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it
when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best
thing in the world for you."
Walt Disney
- "When
you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way,
implicitly and unquestionable."
Walt Disney
- "You
can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful
place in the world, but it requires people to make the
dream a reality."
Walt Disney
- "I
believe in being an innovator."
Walt Disney
- "All
our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue
them."
Walt Disney
Why not
choose to fashion
your business vision uniquely?
Be original. Don't just follow the crowd but dare to
be different. Don't be afraid to be yourself and form
a business with a different goal in mind. Ideally a
business that is just a little different and satisfies
by delivering unique genuine benefits and value to
your customers and clients.
I like to always say it this way...
|
|
"Business is about making
a profit - but life is all about helping people. Money comes
and it goes but in the end we will see that it's people not
money that are eternal. There is great wisdom in investing in
building genuine relationships."
John Alexander - Search
Engine Workshops
Whether you choose to be
different or whether you choose to compete is completely up to
you. Regardless of which way you move forward - Here's to your
success!
About John Alexander
John Alexander is Co-director of Training at Search
Engine Workshops offering live, SEO Workshops with his
partner SEO educator Robin Nobles, author of the very first
comprehensive online search engine marketing courses. John is author of an
e-book called Wordtracker
Magic and has
taught SEO skills to people from 87 different countries world
wide. Would
you like a Free SEO Tip of the Day?
