Sometimes it feels like there are simply too many people doing what you do, and many have been doing it longer and (possibly) better than you are.

Pluggio, one of the tools that we utilize for social media, has a “friend suggestions” feature that will provide potential people to follow based on keywords, location, etc.  I noticed today as I was perusing my suggestions that there are an awful lot of “consultants,” and “social media enthusiasts” marketing themselves on Twitter.  Honestly, it’s a bit overbearing to see just how many people there are in the same markets as Smeester & Associates.

I got to thinking… One of Seth Godin’s books, Purple Cow, explores the analogy to being on a road trip and seeing countless cows, but if you were to see a purple cow you would probably stop and take a picture.  Today it is so very clear to me what being a purple cow means.

Regardless of what your business is, there is somebody else out there offering something similar and/or competitive.  So how do we combat this?  The answer is very simply in being authentic and unique.  No matter how special we are, it is important to constantly revisit the concept of being that purple cow and standing out from our peers and competitors.  The most successful businesses and business people are usually ‘crushing it’ by embracing their niche and working hard to articulate the invaluable traits that make them and their products so unique from the rest.

Many people might be intimidated, sad, or disheartened when faced with the realization of how much competition there really is out there.  But, true success will follow those that take the revelation and use that to focus, energize, and drive their professional position.  The most important thing to remember is sticking with your goals and dreams; good things will come to those that work hard and maintain persistence.

Smeester & Associates helps businesses rediscover what makes them professionally purple. Contact us for more information.