In the fast-paced world of internet marketing and online sales, being a trendsetter is essential. To stay ahead of the competition, it’s crucial to constantly create products that surpass your client’s expectations.
So how can you develop products that are superior to what’s already out there? One effective strategy I like to follow is to build a better mousetrap. That concept has been around for ages. It involves observing existing products, identifying their flaws, and envisioning improvements. When you purchase and use a product, you have the advantage of seeing all the mistakes and missed opportunities made during its creation. This first-hand experience can inspire you to develop a product that truly stands out—your better mousetrap!
In 2001, when I was first starting out in the online realm, I built an entire software empire using the power of this strategy. Just starting out, I didn’t have the best credit profile and ran into major pushback trying to get a merchant account at any bank I went to. I needed to find other ways to take orders online. My research gave me the idea that others probably needed this help too. I decided to write an ebook with all the information on all possible ways to take online payments.
But I needed the software to deliver the ebook. In my research, I would find one that did one thing I wanted but it lacked other features. Then I’d find one that had the missing features but lacked other things I needed. I just couldn’t find one that did everything in one package. So I decided to build a better mousetrap and developed my first software eBookGenerator. That first product lead to an entire suite of software products that changed the internet marketing industry.
As time went on, I noticed other products emerging in the market that were strikingly similar to mine. Numerous products were created and sold using formats that originated from my GeneratorSoftware suite of products. Curiosity got the best of me, and I purchased a couple of these products to investigate further. To my disappointment, these products had blatantly copied the formatting and structure of my products without any innovative modifications. It annoyed me because they lacked authenticity and originality.
The lesson here is clear…instead of trying to duplicate what someone else has done, you can take inspiration from existing products and strive to be innovative with your iteration. Let their accomplishments be your steppingstone towards creating something significantly better.
Aim to surpass their achievements by a substantial margin, so much so that you’re no longer in the same league.
The key is to go beyond incremental improvements and make substantial leaps forward. By doing so, you’ll make it incredibly challenging for anyone who came before you to catch up.
However, a common pitfall is to view someone else’s innovation simply as a starting point. True success lies in using it as a launching pad to propel yourself to new heights. Leap so high that your previous competitors can’t even fathom catching up. While they’re busy trying to match the quality of your latest product, you’re already devising new advancements based on market reactions. By staying a step ahead, you establish yourself as THE industry leader.
It’s an opportunity to dominate a specific niche in the marketplace and emerge as the new market leader. Embrace the art of innovation, be the first to introduce groundbreaking ideas and provide exceptional value to your target audience.
You can dominate a specific niche and emerge as the market leader, and you’ll unlock endless possibilities for success.
In the ever-evolving world of marketing and sales, being a trendsetter is crucial for success. To outshine your competition, it’s vital to create products that go beyond those incremental improvements. This strategy of building a better mousetrap allows you to observe existing products, identify their shortcomings, and envision innovations. By not simply duplicating someone else’s work, but rather embracing true modernization, you can propel yourself to new heights and establish yourself as the one to come to in your industry. Embrace the art of innovation, stay ahead of the market, and take your place as the trendsetter.
