We have all been there before. You see a great service or product, and you think to yourself, “wow, there is a good opportunity here”. So you spend some time getting your website together, establishing an online identity, and detailing your services (or perhaps product).

Unfortunately, many people who do this just look at their competition. They don’t actually do anything different, but are rather trying to take advantage of a perceived opportunity.

Don’t be that person. If you are looking at others for ideas, but don’t expand upon them, then you already are behind.

I can recall when Facebook hit the scenes. Everyone wanted to create something similar. They wanted to have their very own Facebook, but with very minor differences. How many of these were successful? None.

Let’s say that you came across a site that was selling a particular course, and that course was quite popular. Simply creating a similar course isn’t going to get you anywhere. Claiming to be an expert won’t either. If this is the route you take, you will be done before you get started.

Instead of playing the “me too” game, really determine what it is you’re trying to accomplish and assess your motivating factors. Your prospective customers are very savvy.

Look at what it is you want to sell and establish your own unique selling proposition. One that contributes to the industry and will encourage all industry players (your competition) to up their game. If you are selling courses from your learning management system, you should articulate what makes yours worth purchasing over the others. What is in it for them? If you fall prey to the “me too” mind-set, you will struggle to answer this question effectively, and ultimately you won’t be around very long.