Do you ever feel like everyone in your industry is doing the same thing? Eveyone’s newsletters look the same. Everyone’s websites are starting to look the same. Same. Same. Same.
Which leads to a big fat dose of
b-o-r-i-n-g.
And bored people rarely buy. They also don’t run out and tell their friends and family about how wonderfully you bored them.
In this video I’ll show you two easy ways make your business stand out from the crowd in a swelling sea of sameys.
Now it’s your turn. Got more ideas about how to stand out in a crowded market?
Know of any businesses or people doing it right? I know you do. Leave a comment below and let me know.
If you leave an example of a business or person who stands out from the crowd, tell us why they stand out. What was your experience with them?
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Awesome Q&A video today, Marie! Great, down-to-earth advice. Thanks for sharing, and keep it coming!
Great stuff Marie! Thanks for the reinforcing message about “being true to your SELF” …. one can never hear that song too many times.
Buff
Thank you for this, Marie, it is very inspiring!
Now that my wheels are turning … I’d best get to work!
Much love and appreciation for all you do,
Linda
I love this! And not just for your challenging dual role as innovator and copycat (Oscar!) but because it’s so true.
All art is copy.
There’s nothing wrong with copying and stealing ideas as long as you make them YOURS. And a great way to do that, just like you say, is by going outside your industry/ genre/ incestuous little market. For pete’s sake, if you’re a marketer, don’t use the word “guru” – because everyone else already has. But if you’re a Smurf expert who coaches Smurfs to be better Smurfs, then by all means, call yourself a “The Smurf Guru.” That’s taking it and making it yours.
Love your Smurf example, Laura!
Great video as usual. You never fail to impress. I always feel like I am swimming in an estrogen ocean here but that’s OK. Hope it’s OK for a “redneck dude” to read and comment.
Definitely lots of estrogen flowing around here, but a redneck from North Texas should have no problem handlin’ it!!!
Great suggestions Marie!!!! (& Laura!!!)
Why does it remind me of Leaves of Grass? LOL. Great vid, thanks a lot!
Hmm how about being witchy?
I’ve brought that fun, playful aspect of myself into my business and it definitely helped me stand out from the crowd.
I also really like Laura Hollick (just finished watching your interview there!) because she takes her spirituality and artwork and just blows everyone away with it.
Marie, Nathalie, Sukie, Alexis, Liz… off the top of my head those are all of you that I know is being interviewed for Soul Art by Laura Hollick! I’m really looking forward to seeing ALL of you sharing.
Keep these videos coming Marie! Loving ‘em.
Loving it!
Awesome advice Marie. Knowing exactly who you are as a person and allowing your most authentic, alive, whole self to shine is a surefire way to be successful not only in business but in life.
Thanks for always being a rockin’ bad ass example of REAL BEAUTY!
Action Studio from Natalie Peluso & Ashley Sinclair is one of a kind as far as I know. Great content, support & feedback for people needing help coming up with an info product. I’d highly recommend it.
Great video… I put my life values into my business… We can copy but with our special touch and then we can separate from the mass… Love your videos and blogs… xo xo
Brilliant Marie! Great topic, I’ve already seen people “copying” my website, kinda freaked me out a bit. That’s why I follow people like you that guide me to do things my own way. Thank you so much!
Ummm, you’re the person who stands out! You, Laura Belgray and Laura Roeder! I adore you all. Thanks again for such great words of inspiration. I know I should just put myself out there (not in a perverted way) but be myself, which includes music, food, my love of cupcakes and any foods that are oddly small in size and cute (like okra), oh and how I’m a complete clutz. I’ve fallen down a flight of stairs in public at a movie theatre (more then once). You gals interested in what I do now? I’m going to start paying more attention to the music biz. Thanks!
I’m loving these Q&A Tuesdays, keep ‘em coming!
Thanks for the Fun video, Marie.
Right you are. I just mixed together my love of food, nutrition, poetry, dorothy of oz, my own healing journey to create Ruby Slipper Health Journeys & Body Poetry Sessions. Thank you, thank you for your truly authentic inspiration at B-School & RHHLive! Blessings! Marian
I am such a newbie to the wild world of marketing…but i saw myself copycatting and I had to stop and say to myself, “Alison….u r not a cheesy cheese ball website person….get it together girl! Pull itself together ma’am!” and then I decided to create my own litmus test: if I wouldn’t frame it and hang it in my home, it will not go on my website. Oh snap! Which means: it better be snazzy. Bc in like pretty things. Phew…what a relief. Now I don’t have really bad photoshop on my website. That was too embarrassing.
Marie-
Thank you for this perspective. I have been really doing the “modeling” thing for some time, and really looking to my mentor for advice in my own business development. As I become more bold, and more confident in my own services, my sales, and my marketing, I feel that YES- I have so much juice to offer that is uniquely my own. I can take my love for dance into my coaching business! I can unite my sensual nature and tantra tendencies with my business.. may the blending begin!
Awesome advice
Simple. Effective.
I helpo clients build brand stories and convey it to the world. It often starts – no matter how big your business is – with what makes you unique, special, have personality? Just like you talked about, bring your personality into it and make it relevant to the value you offer. Just finished reading Linchpin by Seth Godin where it talks about the “dehumanization” of industry and how its now human connections that people crave. So go out there and create a brand, an offering, a personality, a story, that is uniquely you and that helps customers connect to you. That’s the way to stand out and build an irresistible brand – ESPECIALLY for solopreneurs and small businesses – as I talk about in my book, Branding Basics for Small Business.
Right on!
This is my favorite video so far! I love your copycatting self and your annoyed self who is being copied. I never thought of putting it the way you did in looking outside your industry but it makes great sense. It is also authentic, because you didn’t look to some random industry; you looked to an industry that you are a part of and that means something to you. And that always helps people connect.
Hi Marie,
Enjoy the tuesday tips. Yes, many people are copying each other! Selling blueprints then preaching about authenticity. I don’t believe any two businesses should do things the same way. It means one of the folks isn’t being true to his or herself. My web site and logo were designed by me. It’s not a canned theme.
We are taught to conform from an early age – all institutions teach this as their underlying mission. I almost went crazy until I stopped doing that.
Thanks! Giulietta
Thanks for another great video Marie. I love your style, its an inspiration for all us multi-passionates out there
@Alison I love your litmus test!
Timely advice Marie. There are way to many boring ‘sameys’ out there. We all need to bring in more passion and personality – more of ourselves into our business.
Hey Marie!
Another great Q&A Tuesday! What a great topic. I, too, enjoyed your tips today.
One person that comes to mind that does this brilliantly (besides YOU, of course…
) is Kendall SummerHawk, who I’ve been following for a while now. She runs her business in a way that is so feminine and graceful, which is obviously just how SHE is, as well.
Thank you so much for answering my question Marie!!! Great advice that I will definitely be using in my business!!! xoxo
Hi Marie
The more I dig deep into this- the being me bit- the better results I get. I’m not all there yet, but thank you for being an inspiration…xxx
Great advice abt. looking to other industries. I was so happy that The King’s Speech came out so beautifully b/c I found it incredibly inspiring as a public speaking coach. When’s your full-length feature coming out? xoxo Laura
Love me some Marie
Thanks fab fab Girly!
Great answer Marie! It seems like this is kind of similar to branding, right? You brand your business with something, it could be something personal, but you carry it through to all areas of your business. That way people know you and what you’re about. Anyway, great video!
Loving your Q&A Tuesday videos, Marie … short, sassy, helpful and FUN! Thanks!
Thank you SO much for this video Marie, I absolutely loved and needed it. I’ve been trying to figure out for myself how to blend what seem to be my main areas of focus and passions into my own personal brand and a new business. Just being reminded how well you blend your love for dance, hip hop, business, personal development and marketing into such an amazing experience and brand is so inspiring and helps me to see how I can do that with my own things! I was beginning to feel as if certain pieces and parts were disconnected, but now I see how they can all flow and work together. I’m so inspired and I’m off to infuse that into all that I’m doing!!!
So much love for you! xo
Thank you for pointing out a very important point Marie. I think it is critical for people to go outside of their discipline for inspiration. Fresh perspective is great. I have had some of the best ideas come from sitting on the back of my husband’s motorcycle riding for hours across Ontario in 2010.
This is one of my favorite PSA’s for children. I love the boy with the bow! We all have our thing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX6qUFm1HsI
Damn girl, who’s doing you’re video editing – hot!?! You’re on FIRE!!
You know my Goddess Shari is trailblazing in our industry! Her LIVE weekly web TV show is off the hook and moms are logging in from every state (and overseas too!). We have the support of over a dozen amazing national sponsors, too!! No blueprint to follow, just infusing different concepts, thinking out of the box, and figuring it all out as we go… Our community of viewers ROCKS, and they look forward each week to engage with Shari and each other live – it is SO much fun!!! =) It is a POWERFUL way to engage live with your peeps, check it out – http://www.MyBabyExperts.tv
Oh Yes Marie, this is actually one of my goals to actually blend my personal faves with my biz, so being a mom, a lover of start treck and hip hop and a goof is probably not a bad thing
Thanks again for the inspiration.
couldn’t be a more perfect time for me to hear this advice! i’m new to you & totally loving your words of wisdom. Someone going above the bar is my dear gal pal Angela of simplysweet-pastries.com
Thanks Marie!!
Great reminder to bring YOURSELF into your business. It truely is the only way to set yourself apart! You are a perfect example of of how to stand out!
Cheers,
Cytnhia
Another great video m’dear. Something that I’ve been practicing is not over-saturating myself with other peoples’ information from the same “space” I play in. I remember when my mom wrote her mother/daughter book people kept sending her books on mothers and daughters and she refused to read them because she wanted to make sure that her material was fresh, original, and uniquely her own. I think there’s tremendous wisdom in this. It also is a great affirmation that each of us is unique, talented, and enough just as we are without needing to do it like anyone else!
Oooh Kate! I love this advice…and completely agree– I get shut down quickly when I am too involved in other people who also serve my niche…my creative juices start to get shadowed by comparison and self-doubt.
But I love immersing myself in other disciplines to get growing, developing and seeing cross connections.
Kate!!! I feel better about not reading other organizer’s stuff!!! Your mother is genius! Thanks for sharing that tidbit.
Thanks for the inspiration Marie! You just made me realize that when I cut down on looking at what everyone else is up to I feel so much more creative and clear! But now Laura has kind of made me want to become a Holistic Smurf Coach…
This is great advice Marie! Just wrote about this myself. As long as you are being true to you and letting yourself shine through your business, there is no way that anyone else can match that!
“The worst crime is to be boring.” – Ricky Gervais
The thing about being outrageous and authentic, is that it challenges people who don’t operate that way. It irks them because it poses the question: where are you disowning your truth? Where are you toning down your voice to make others more comfortable?
Case in point: Ricky Gervais the other night. I never watch those award shows–because they are boring–but heard about Gervais’ coup so I watched his segment. I’m even more in love with him now.
Self-actualization in this life is about becoming more of who are are, and expressing our truth in every moment. Since my truth and my essence looks different than everyone else’s, it’s going to be revolutionary, especially if it’s unadulterated.
It takes guts to go against the grain by being yourself, but there is no greater pleasure. And yes, it attracts your “true fans” and true friends in the process.
Thanks Marie! Enlilghtening as usual!
Marie,
I love how you mention to bring in your other interests or trainings…I teach online classes to moms who want to lead vibrant, impactful, generous, joyful lives and I pulled from EVERYTHING that I’ve done in the past…my travels, my research, my education, my public speaking…even my training as a trauma counselor…everything can be used to create your unique gift and offering in your life!
I have also been really well served by Danielle LaPorte’s Fire Starter Sessions in refining for me the essence of what I want my work to “feel” like– She encourages that you identify a handful of words that define how you want to FEEL in your work…and to use those words to help make choices on which direction you should go…
Mine? Divinely guided, useful, extraordinary, prosperous, and generous…
Marie– what words would define and encapsulate how you want your work to feel to YOU?
Love love love your work, always…thanks for giving your gifts to the world!
SUPER love this! Health and fitness can get REALLY samey…and what’s funny is I get people making “suggestions” all the time and they’re usually “I saw this fitness website do this, you should try that.” No gracias.
Borrowing from other industries and sprinkling some Liz on it though, that’s way more fun (and apparently people like it b/c my newsletters are getting way more opens, clicks and subscribers) HOLLA!
Marie, please publish videos daily! No matter what I am doing, I stop in my tracks when I get an email from you.
I agree completely with your advice to look for inspiration outside the industry. And the terrific thing is that what works in one industry is usually uber-effective in a new industry, simply because it’s fresh and different. I came from the architecture/engineering/construction industry, and achieved a lot of results for the firm that I worked with simply by using a content marketing and SEO strategy that I learned by studying marketing practices in other industries.
And I love “Evil Marie’s” faintly British accent!:)
I was just talking to a friend about competition in the life coaching industry. I’m a student life coach and he didn’t want to hurt my feelings or discourage me but he relayed some negative things about life coaching his daughter had said as far as it being “the new thing” and that there was accordingly a lot of competition. I answered that I didn’t look at it as competition:
It’s more about the relationship you have with the person you’re working with. If you’re fine with just any old service/product provider then it doesn’t matter if you like them, only if they have high quality and low prices. But in a profession like coaching it’s all about the people, I’d say as equally or even more than their skill. Skill can be built; if you don’t like who someone is then that’s that.
I intend to “stand out” by being unapologetically myself – I learned that from Marie.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this video Marie!! So spot-on and speaks to some specific points about being unique + authentic in your biz.
And P.S. thank you for the Prius copycat reference…I totally remember saying the exact same thing the first time I saw the other car…great example!
Brilliant tips Marie I love that you are using more video this year the camera loves you and your connection and message is always awesome. Loved it!
Cheers Pam
Hey Marie,
This is so awesome, and you’re awesome. Thanks for making this video.
This would probably seem like an obvious example (duh) but Frank Kern does and AMAZING job of standing out in the wayyyy over-saturated market of internet marketing.
He’s totally cooll and totally laid-back and has that ‘lazy-persona’ with all his shenanigans, etc….
I totally adore Frank and have learned a lot from him. And you. It’s even better to learn from a woman
Thanks again Marie!
Renee.
You are a freakin’ hip hop online MOGUL! Love how you bring those two loves of yours together. And you help people too? That’s the shiznat, baby! Thanks for another super relevant answer to our burning questions, Marie. You jam. jen
Samey’s suck! I hope I’m not 1? I do check out what other people are doing but I try to maintain my individuality. I like to think I do a good job!
Your videos are hilarious btw
Thanks Marie, as always very to the point and relevant. This is just the topic i have been pondering for a few weeks – i am about to launch my first on-line business and it is not like what my market is doing so I have been concerned that it may be too different!! thanks for reminding me to stand out and take the market in a new direction.
Cheers
THE best tip I’ve received in a looonnnng time Ms. Marie. Seriously. I’ve been considering adding videos to my site for awhile now but have hesitated because I don’t want to be boring.
Look outside my field for inspiration–bring in my other passions. Yup. Got it.
Stay tuned.
Jac
LOVE IT!!!! Thank you for all you do Marie!!
Great video Marie … I was just thinking about this topic this week while creating my new website http://www.HypnoBirthingRocks.com.au – I had to REEEEEAAAALLLLYYY hold myself back from creating the same kind of fluffy/nice website like everyone else in my industry, but from some research that i’ve done, people are resonating with me and I kinda stick out from the crowd — THANX for reaffirming that!!!! You Rock Girl!
Thanks for this Marie! I have had many a samey looking over my shoulder.
You certainly do stand out! Thanks for this video. Great advice!
Hi, Marie. I think Ms. Suzie Orman is a financial advisor who stand out way ahead from her rivals. She priorize customers’ satisfaction over the rest, and always sincere and vibrant. But the reason why I think she stand out is that she let the people know her philosophy “People first, then money, then things” and she uses the philosophy in every aspect of her business. I think that she says who she is and make sure that she practices what she think she should do always. This ensures great quality of her service for customers who like her philosophy.
Love it! Thank you for sharing, Marie. I was just thinking about this today and I found it overwhelming and disheartening to think that I could be just one of the many people trying to do the same thing. Thanks for the tips!
Great message Marie and so important! I was very conscious of injecting my personality into my brand in my health and detox coaching business from the beginning. I used my love of growth, beauty in Nature and dramatic colours, particularly red to inspire the design for my brand< My coaching style is also totally me. I got the qualifications etc but my style is uniquely me and that's why my clients love the way I work…they get me 100% and without bullsh*t!
Thanks again!
Oh, so thaaaaaat’s “why you’re hot”, eh?? You are like the Swami of business advise. I’ve been pondering that question for quite some time now. Thanks a bunch for imparting those pearls of wisdom on me. Great clip, very informative… appreciate that.
Standing out from the crowd is obviously very important. What I find is just as important is connecting to the people that are our potential clients. The people that we WANT to work with and connect with. And I really think that what you said about bringing parts of yourself into your business and websites and marketing is one of the most important ways to help you connect with the right kind of people that you want to work with. You want them to be drawn to you because of who you are, how you work and what you can offer them. Not because of a bunch of smoke and mirrors. And thank god that we’ve all got something unique about us that we can use to not make us a “same-y”. Be inspired by all of life around you, not just your industry. Add to that a healthy helping of who you be and the things that make you fabulous! Great ideas as always Marie! Thank you!
Hi, Marie!
Really liked this video, although at first it kinda hit me)) and I had no idea what to think about it. I’ve been digesting it for a while and I think I know now)
It’s really a little intimidating – bringing your personal preferences and interests into your business, ’cause it feels like you get more exposed. But I guess, it’s worth it!
Thank you, that was really valuable)
Olga T.
Marie,
Thanks for another great tip! I launched my website http://trueandoutrageous.com/ and want to know how to drive traffic to my site so more people share their stories!! any future tips would be greatly appreciated.
Krista
Totally loved the video! It’s important that folks not be a knock-off of someone else. Personally I don’t want the fake Rolex being sold on the street corner—I want the real thing. My thinking is the same when I am looking at a coach or some other professional. Copying someone else doesn’t allow you to showcase your own talents, sklls, viewpoints and sheer uniqueness. Bottomline: “Do You.”
Hi Maria
Great ‘A’ to the ‘Q’.
My feeling is that a lot of us don’t have the confidence to be ourselves – it takes guts to show the world part of ourselves. You are absolutely right though – being authentic will always top copying someone else!
Yours in Vitality
Shelley
Hi Marie! I recently discovered you thru the “Savor the Success” video logs with the sweet Angela and I became your fan instantly. I have been enjoying your posts very much, you are awesome!
I love today’s post, it’s so important and essential to be unique in this saturated market. I’m in the luxury lingerie business and there are thousands of websites out there selling lingerie. So to keep Bella Bella standing out in the crowd for the past 4 years I have been focused on bringing exclusive lingerie designers from all over the world that you cannot find in department stores. This year we added a new category: Made to Order and Bespoke lingerie. This is a huge trend in Europe and little know yet here in USA. What I’ve learned to success is that the more you offer exclusivity (thru your product or service), the more you are coveted helping you to keep standing out in the crowd.
If you have a chance, visite the website: http://www.bellabellaboutique.com
Once again keep up the fantastic work you are doing!
Ciao!
Hey Marie, hey guys. Like it and it makes sense. I am intuitive with this type of thing lately, but thanks for setting it up in my concious attention. I have been plaing Monopoly City with a friend and all he does is take what I figure out to work and plays off big with it, I have a feeling I will kick his butt in the near future all the way
I also consider people in business who have the mindset to create new things dont illicit peoples trust in thier battle to win, and end up with flocks of people to them and wait for the next improvement.
Cheers and all the best
Great video. This is the one of the many things I’ve learned in RHH Virtual Mastery. Be yourself. I think sometimes we forget to incorporate ourselves in our biz because we’re scared of being vulnerable. I’ve found that until I actually put myself out there in all of my Shay glory, no one would find me. There are people who need what I have and by not being myself (i.e., bringing what I love into my biz) keeps those people feeling powerless.
Keep doing whatcha doin’, girlie.
Love the video and question. Starting out I find it helps to see what I like and what options are out there then finding what brings more of me into the mix. Love how Liz Dennery does it – http://www.shebrand.com.
Love this Q&A tuesday it’s super helpful.
Loved it as usual Marie!
It’s also a lot more rewarding in the long term when you bring your uniqueness to the table and don’t follow the herd. XOXO
Thanks Marie for all you do.
You so stand out…I’m actually pretty biased now on your behalf.
I’m amazed at how many “coaches”, massage therapists, makeup artists, etc are out there. The beautiful thing is that when you are really good at what you do, there is no competition really.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes:
Paraphrase…
“The value of a diamond is derived from it’s rarity.
When you imitate another you murder yourself and thus dead, powerless.”
- Gerry Spence
Your post/video couldn’t be more timely. We just put this together for our small biz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSjsOeC6OcE. Proud to say I’m a RHHB-school grad.
Marie, I <3 ed this video!!!
I definitely feel the pain of feeling like you're in an oversaturated market! I took one of your points of advice and have been applying it (and thinking of more ways to apply it) by infusing ME into my business more. After all I'm the one in charge!
For me I work in that broad huge "handmade" industry, more specifically I crochet, knit, make jewelry, and do some other fine art mediums (like painting and stained glass) so I concentrate on certain styles or color palettes that I really enjoy working with. I also integrate my healing work that falls under my huge big mission of "awareness of the energy you bring into your life" into my art with mindful creation.