Stop knocking your competition

SHAKING THE TREE #107

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

In the heat of everyday competition these days, it's increasingly tempting to badmouth your rivals … more so when if you see your free material as better that other people’s paid stuff.

While it’s tempting to launch into a tirade of what you perceive as someone else’s weaknesses, I urge you to hold off.

Although it might seem like a good idea to stick it to your arch rival, and while the urge to trash-talk is understandable (and sadly, all too common) it's a strategy destined to backfire.

Here's why constantly knocking your competition is a recipe for trouble:

You look insecure: When you spend your time criticizing others, it implies a lack of confidence in your own offering. A truly strong product or service stands on its own merits. Customers can smell insecurity a mile away, and it won't make them trust you.

You shift the focus away from you: The spotlight should be on your strengths and how you solve customer problems. By fixating on the competition, you're diverting attention away from what truly matters: why someone should choose you.

It’s likely to backfire. Negativity breeds negativity. Publicly badmouthing your rivals can paint you in a poor light. It comes across as petty and unprofessional, potentially turning off potential customers.

You’ll stagnate: Constantly comparing yourself to others stifles creativity. Instead of focusing on what makes you unique and how to improve, you're stuck playing catch-up.

So, what should you do instead?

Be the better person. You know you want to be, and I know you can do it. Here’s how:

Become the gold standard: Instead of tearing down others, set yourself up as the standard for excellence in your niche or industry. Leave the trash talk to other people and let your work speak for itself.

Focus on your audience: Identify what your target audience is looking for and tailor your message to address those needs and only those needs. I mean really, who needs the negativity?

See your competition as your friends: Analyze what your competitors do well and see if there are aspects you can offer them to help their messaging while asking what they can do to help you improve your own offering.

Remember, the goal is to win over customers, not win a trash-talking contest.

By focusing on your strengths and offering value to EVERYONE, you'll establish yourself as a leader, you’ll gain more respect, you’ll expand your network, and you’ll be leaving the negativity to smaller minds.

Why risk your reputation by being seen as a vengeful dickhead?

I’m telling you: it’s simply not worth it.

As always, thanks for reading.

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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … Why you need to build a content library.