Good news! It’s easier than ever to start a business. In the world of #girlbosses and side hustlers… everyone can start a full-time business or run a thriving side business with just their laptop or iPhone. The internet has given us access to customers around the world who need what we have. Now’s the time to turn our passions into a business!
Buuuut! With that comes the problem that EVERYTHING is already taken… including YOUR passion and idea.
I feel ya. I was the only blogger I knew in 2010 haha! I feel the pressure more than ever to find my uniqueness and to come up with ideas that aren’t already being done, so I wanted to share three tips today to help you start a successful business (or tweak your existing one) in what feels like a saturated market… no matter the industry!
Just agree to this…. you won’t give up on your idea or passion!
3 Tips To Starting A Business When Everything Is Already Being Done:
1- Consider how you add value to the industry
I know, just starting out you may not feel like you can add much value compared to ALL the experts who are already out there, BUT you have a unique perspective too. You have a special gift that people need. You have a special voice, attitude and perspective in your niche, so go with it. Don’t try to sound just like everyone else already in the industry. Be you and bring your uniqueness to the table. You have your own story to tell and sell.
Things to ask yourself:
- What personal stories do you have that people can relate to?
- How can I add my personal spin on things?
- What makes you unique in this industry?
- How can you add value by being you?
2- Be A Gap Filler
What’s missing in the industry or niche?
Look for gaps in the market and add things that aren’t being done.
That’s exactly what I did with my blog and the Baton Rouge Fashion Council. There were a million blogs in the world, but Baton Rouge didn’t have anyone sharing things exclusively for our local women. Also, there are fashion organizations around the world, but Baton Rouge didn’t have any sort of community to tie local boutique owners together.
Don’t be afraid to niche down too small.
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What pisses customers off in the current niche or industry? How can you change that?
I learned this idea in B School and make all my clients think about it. When you start solving the customer problems in the industry, you’ll naturally fill the gaps.
You’re surely to get some unique ideas if you take some time to think about that one.
3- Zig when everyone else Zags
We’ve talked a lot about competition here — and how we can (but shouldn’t) spend SO much time looking at what everyone else is doing. But I’m telling you to do the opposite. Stop looking at what’s working for businesses. Instead, look at what people in the industry are doing and do the OPPOSITE.
There’s a magical little book called The Blue Ocean Strategy (and now Blue Ocean Shift) that I’ve talked about in a workshop before. And it is GOLD! Basically, the idea is that saturated markets are really competitive making them red oceans. But you want to tap into NEW blue oceans without any competitors.
My favorite example is Top Golf. They took an extremely saturated market like golf and did the opposite of industry norms… took away fairways, no need to bring your own clubs, add a fun atmosphere with food, play at night, add booze and music, make it a party… just to name a few.
It’s still golf, but a totally untapped market.
So there ya have it… three tips to starting a business when everything’s already being done! (1) Consider how you can add your personal touch to the industry (2) Fill the gaps and do something that’s not being done (3) Do the opposite of everyone else in your industry for a unique edge.
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