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"I have no competition" ... he said, but in fact, he had TWO NASTY COMPETITORS

by AdmanMrWoo
21 replies
Over the years I've helped a few clients who felt they had "no competition".
They had some unique product, service or some unique angle on the whole thing. And it gave them this groovy feeling like they were on top of the world and "had no competition."
Yet they still struggled.
Sales and profit were not easy.
It's because they actually had TWO BIG, MEAN, NASTY COMPETITORS and didn't even know it.
Most businesses know they've got competitors.
There must be 50,000 plumbing companies across the U.S.
There must be 100,000 car dealers.
In the 1950's the Cadillac car company sent out a research team to discover WHO were their biggest competitors... at the time, you could buy a new Cadillac for about $5,000 bucks.
The research team came back and said to Top Management "Your biggest competitor is diamond rings. If they don't buy a Cadillac they will buy a diamond ring."
So... you can't tell me you have "no competition". I know better.
I'm scribbling out these notes with one cup of coffee to help you see the light.
I'm gonna tell you WHO your biggest, meanest, nastiest competitors are.
And once I tell you, you might want to start thinking about how you can defeat them.
They are always breathing down your neck. They can be whipped but not by accident.
Are you ready?
They are
1. Apathy.
2. Inertia.
Mean huh?
Nasty huh?
Can you see why you'll need to deal with them?
Just thinking.
Linwood
#competitors #fact #i have no competition #nasty
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  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by AdmanMrWoo View Post

    Over the years I've helped a few clients who felt they had "no competition".
    They had some unique product, service or some unique angle on the whole thing. And it gave them this groovy feeling like they were on top of the world and "had no competition."
    Yet they still struggled.
    Sales and profit were not easy.
    It's because they actually had TWO BIG, MEAN, NASTY COMPETITORS and didn't even know it.
    Most businesses know they've got competitors.
    There must be 50,000 plumbing companies across the U.S.
    There must be 100,000 car dealers.
    In the 1950's the Cadillac car company sent out a research team to discover WHO were their biggest competitors... at the time, you could buy a new Cadillac for about $5,000 bucks.
    The research team came back and said to Top Management "Your biggest competitor is diamond rings. If they don't buy a Cadillac they will buy a diamond ring."
    So... you can't tell me you have "no competition". I know better.
    I'm scribbling out these notes with one cup of coffee to help you see the light.
    I'm gonna tell you WHO your biggest, meanest, nastiest competitors are.
    And once I tell you, you might want to start thinking about how you can defeat them.
    They are always breathing down your neck. They can be whipped but not by accident.
    Are you ready?
    They are
    1. Apathy.
    2. Inertia.
    Mean huh?
    Nasty huh?
    Can you see why you'll need to deal with them?
    Just thinking.
    Linwood

    In the few times I've heard "I have no competition, it was because they felt they had the greatest...whatever. Unfortunately, they also thought that this was enough...that people should search them out and offer them the world. A fantasy bubble that I couldn't penetrate.

    Of course, they made little progress, and burnt out quickly.

    This reminds me of an equally nonsensical statement I hear all too often..."I sell a commodity".


    by the way, may I suggest you post these marketing threads in the Offline Marketing section? That's closer to the right audience for these insights.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    They are
    1. Apathy.
    2. Inertia.

    So often - a marketer needs to collaborate with "me, myself and I" - those are the 'competitors' who will trip you up every time.
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    January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
    So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      So often - a marketer needs to collaborate with "me, myself and I" - those are the 'competitors' who will trip you up every time.
      Good point Kay. Ultimately the only thing that can stop someone from being successful ... Is themselves.
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  • Profile picture of the author max5ty
    I've discovered over the years that if someone is convinced they are on top of the world - leave them be.

    You'll waste your time trying to convince them of anything.

    Plus, maybe they are on top of the world - either way, move on and find someone that wants your help.
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  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by AdmanMrWoo View Post

    They are
    1. Apathy.
    2. Inertia.
    I'm assuming you mean the apathy and inertia of the market, not the marketer...am I right?
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    What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
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    • Profile picture of the author AdmanMrWoo
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      I'm assuming you mean the apathy and inertia of the market, not the marketer...am I right?

      Yes sir ree... the market is sitting there saying SO WHAT and WHO CARES...
      that is "apathy" and "inertia."


      For those who say they have "no competition" ... look out.
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      Linwood Austin, Marketing Consultant and Business Loans Available. Phone: 801-895-9598
      http://theadmansdiary.com/entrepreneurs-loan/

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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    if someone is convinced they are on top of the world - leave them be.

    Exactly - realistic or delusional ...if someone is convinced they are 'top of the heap' chances are they are happy with where they are. Nothing wrong with that.
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
    January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
    So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author eccj
    I'm sorry but what is the point of this thread?

    If they had no competition then why were they your client? What were they paying you for?

    For another view on competition read Peter Thiels' book Zero To One. In it he explains why you don't want competition.

    It's extremely interesting and insightful. You can watch him summarize the book on YouTube.
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      Originally Posted by eccj View Post

      For another view on competition read Peter Thiels' book Zero To One. In it he explains why you don't want competition.

      It's extremely interesting and insightful. You can watch him summarize the book on YouTube.

      Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, Luke Nosek, Ken Howery, Yu Pan, Russel Simmons, and Elon Musk all "founders" of PayPal follow this same mentality - and look where they all are.

      Originally Posted by IGotMine View Post

      Another guy who talks a lot but doesn't really say much in the way of actionable information.
      I would suggest its not the words in part, but the message in whole. Again look at the list of names above and stop listening to the words... and start looking at the demonstration and actions of the ideas and principles.
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      • Profile picture of the author Reddevil007
        Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFZrL1RiuVI

        Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, Luke Nosek, Ken Howery, Yu Pan, Russel Simmons, and Elon Musk all "founders" of PayPal follow this same mentality - and look where they all are.



        I would suggest its not the words in part, but the message in whole. Again look at the list of names above and stop listening to the words... and start looking at the demonstration and actions of the ideas and principles.

        So one should stop worrying about competition and focus on competing with himself is that what you and Thiel and all the other legends are saying?
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        • Profile picture of the author savidge4
          Originally Posted by Reddevil007 View Post

          So one should stop worrying about competition and focus on competing with himself is that what you and Thiel and all the other legends are saying?
          Again its not what they are saying... have you ever looked at Theil's Wikipedia? ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Thiel ) My GAWD... he has been "Walking it" way longer than he has been talking it. Look at Musk - he is going to Mars for the love of Pete - no competition there LOL

          Thinking you are going to hit it big with Internet Marketing by selecting a product or information to sell that is being sold by 10,000 other marketers is to me - mind boggling. THAT is entering a pit of competition... And YES, there are without question ways around much of this... but again even these methodologies are strife with competition.

          What might some of those methods be... building a list no? But ask yourself, WHY would you do this? If your average sign up rate is 3% and then you sell 3% of those VS just straight selling at a 3% close rate... Why would you be competing with every other list builder?

          None of us here are going to Mars anytime soon I get that... But there is always a way to change up from the norm and present an offer in a distinctly new way. In my new thread ( https://www.warriorforum.com/warrior...m-nothing.html ) I promise you, I will show you an instance of unorthodox thinking - that without question will work.
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          • Profile picture of the author Reddevil007
            Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

            Again its not what they are saying... have you ever looked at Theil's Wikipedia? ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Thiel ) My GAWD... he has been "Walking it" way longer than he has been talking it. Look at Musk - he is going to Mars for the love of Pete - no competition there LOL

            Thinking you are going to hit it big with Internet Marketing by selecting a product or information to sell that is being sold by 10,000 other marketers is to me - mind boggling. THAT is entering a pit of competition... And YES, there are without question ways around much of this... but again even these methodologies are strife with competition.

            What might some of those methods be... building a list no? But ask yourself, WHY would you do this? If your average sign up rate is 3% and then you sell 3% of those VS just straight selling at a 3% close rate... Why would you be competing with every other list builder?

            None of us here are going to Mars anytime soon I get that... But there is always a way to change up from the norm and present an offer in a distinctly new way. In my new thread ( https://www.warriorforum.com/warrior...m-nothing.html ) I promise you, I will show you an instance of unorthodox thinking - that without question will work.
            So get into a niche or what?


            Man I love your stuff but if you could simplify instead of using jargons lol
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            • Profile picture of the author savidge4
              Originally Posted by Reddevil007 View Post

              So get into a niche or what?
              If you can position yourself into the place of no competition... by all means jump in.

              Read this thread: https://www.warriorforum.com/offline...commodity.html Claude has positioned himself in a place of no Competition. 50 miles away and $200 more - read that and REALLY REALLY let it sink in.

              The only things that can take you down? Apathy and Inertia.

              The only things that can hold you up from having "No Competition"? you guessed it - Apathy and Inertia
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              • Profile picture of the author Reddevil007
                Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

                If you can position yourself into the place of no competition... by all means jump in.

                Read this thread: https://www.warriorforum.com/offline...commodity.html Claude has positioned himself in a place of no Competition. 50 miles away and $200 more - read that and REALLY REALLY let it sink in.

                The only things that can take you down? Apathy and Inertia.

                The only things that can hold you up from having "No Competition"? you guessed it - Apathy and Inertia

                What if I position myself in a competitive niche I can still win right?


                If I can position myself?
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                • Profile picture of the author savidge4
                  Originally Posted by Reddevil007 View Post

                  What if I position myself in a competitive niche I can still win right?
                  There is a couple of ways to answer this... in stating "What if I position myself in a competitive niche" are you ultimately asking "What if I position myself in a niche that's saturated?" I would then respond "There is NO such thing"

                  INERTIA wins every time as long as APATHY doesn't come into play.

                  Originally Posted by Reddevil007 View Post

                  If I can position myself?
                  So what exactly is positioning yourself? USP comes to mind... SCALE comes to mind...

                  If you pay attention to those that are successful here in the Offline Marketing Forum there is a VERY common trait. I would suggest that we all operate at a local scale. My greatest "Wealth" in life is providing services to those within say 200 miles of my office location. Claude, I would suggest falls into the same category. Having read ewenmack now for years... he appears to be very location centric. sdentrepreneur - he operates in San Diego. Ozzyboomer... the name says it all.

                  The point I am getting at is NONE of us are operating at "Scale" as in nationally. Dropping into a "Niche" is very much the same thing... The question then becomes is there a sub-niche that draws you even tighter and more focused, requiring less inertia?

                  Again go read my new thread over on the warrior path forum, and you see I am specifically targeting ONE single theme out of what about 11,000 - SCALE is a huge variable to success.
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                  • Profile picture of the author Reddevil007
                    Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

                    There is a couple of ways to answer this... in stating "What if I position myself in a competitive niche" are you ultimately asking "What if I position myself in a niche that's saturated?" I would then respond "There is NO such thing"

                    INERTIA wins every time as long as APATHY doesn't come into play.



                    So what exactly is positioning yourself? USP comes to mind... SCALE comes to mind...

                    If you pay attention to those that are successful here in the Offline Marketing Forum there is a VERY common trait. I would suggest that we all operate at a local scale. My greatest "Wealth" in life is providing services to those within say 200 miles of my office location. Claude, I would suggest falls into the same category. Having read ewenmack now for years... he appears to be very location centric. sdentrepreneur - he operates in San Diego. Ozzyboomer... the name says it all.

                    The point I am getting at is NONE of us are operating at "Scale" as in nationally. Dropping into a "Niche" is very much the same thing... The question then becomes is there a sub-niche that draws you even tighter and more focused, requiring less inertia?

                    Again go read my new thread over on the warrior path forum, and you see I am specifically targeting ONE single theme out of what about 11,000 - SCALE is a huge variable to success.

                    So how do I scale outside the tiny market?
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                    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
                      Originally Posted by Reddevil007 View Post

                      So how do I scale outside the tiny market?
                      Why? Doing this increases by a magnitude of 2 the complexity in reaching your audience. UNLESS you are so niched down and have the number to prove to yourself this to be true that the added effort is needed. - case in point, me niching down to a single Wordpress Theme

                      An example, I had at one time a affiliate site that "Sold" Generators. which was easier to rank for; local or Nationally? If its "Easier" would that not suggest I just by-passed competition? My competition was Lowes and Home Depot and Whoever's Electric. I surely was going to beat them on price - and did Home Depot or Lowes deliver it to their door?

                      Location can, is, an will be, the great equalizer for small business' - Google has made it so
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                    • Profile picture of the author eccj
                      Originally Posted by Reddevil007 View Post

                      So how do I scale outside the tiny market?
                      In short.... read the book.

                      It's $14.99 on Amazon and probably free at your library.

                      Dominating your small market is what provides the scale. By not taking the time to understand you are missing the nuance and trying to make this info fit in with what you already know. Thiel isn't saying what you think he is saying.
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                      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
                        Dominating your small market is what provides the scale.( INERTIA ) By not taking the time to understand you are missing the nuance and trying to make this info fit in with what you already know. ( APATHY )
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  • Profile picture of the author IGotMine
    Peter Thiels' book Zero To One
    Another guy who talks a lot but doesn't really say much in the way of actionable information.

    There's nothing new under the Sun. If you started studying marketing and marketers in the "70"s as I did, you've heard it all before. The people I learned from learned it from someone else and so on.

    It just used to be much harder to get your hands on and you actually had to put forth some effort and investment. Now you can search, click and say WOW such incredible insight, then click on the next and the next...
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    • Profile picture of the author eccj
      Originally Posted by IGotMine View Post

      Another guy who talks a lot but doesn't really say much in the way of actionable information.

      There's nothing new under the Sun. If you started studying marketing and marketers in the "70"s as I did, you've heard it all before. The people I learned from learned it from someone else and so on.

      It just used to be much harder to get your hands on and you actually had to put forth some effort and investment. Now you can search, click and say WOW such incredible insight, then click on the next and the next...
      Peter Thiel is the real deal and most certainly not a "marketer."

      We have precious few books written by men like him that actually address business and are not personal propaganda.

      To get another titan of business' perspective on competition lets look at the richest man in the world, Bezos, and what he has to say. I don't have a direct quote but I know he sees his customers as his competition. He left other e-commerce companies in the dust a long time ago but he is competing to make his customers happy because they have such higher standards than his competition.

      No offense to the marketing legends of old but most of those guys are highly tactical and think that copy is the most important thing. Most of them never ran legit businesses either.
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