By the time Twitter had grabbed the mainstream media’s attention, there were already a number of sites that were trying to copy it.
They were just like Twitter, only worse!
The same happens every time a new site or service becomes successful. Sites trying to be “just like” the original pop up, and usually pop back down again pretty quickly.
It’s hard to come up with something truly original. After all, there were services just like Twitter before Twitter came along. The thing was, Twitter was “just like” them – only better.
Be yourself – Be better
This blog is just over a week old and is already picking up a lot of readers; partly because it is not trying to be the “just like” something else. I am hoping to build a site full of unique material, which people will find valuable enough to want to read, use and share. The blog is already developing it’s own personality, which will become increasingly apparent as we go through the coming weeks and months.
It makes little sense to start out trying to be just like another well known site or service, unless you are well resourced and can be just like them, only better.
Otherwise, I strongly recommend you focus on being the very best YOU that you can be. Pull influences from the best, but make your site your own and something uniquely valuable.
Just a thought!
Internet marketing is the reflexion of YOU.
So if you’re remarkable in life, you can be remarkable everywhere.
You just have to express yourself in the way you are and not be ”just like”.
Be the first, not the second.
Hi Jim… The key word I pulled out of this post is “personality.”
While being unique is one very important ingredient in setting yourself apart from the thousands of other sites covering the same topics, there is one other key ingredient one MUST consider that can also separate you from other similar sites that may even perhaps have better content — Social Skills.
If you’re smart, are personable and understand the value of social tools and the social web — you can build a valuable media asset by simply connecting, engaging and building meaningful relationships with your audience over time.
There are far more websites/blogs out there that don’t get this than those that do. This is a big advantage and one strategy that cannot be ignored when starting a blog. It can be the one determining factor between success and failure with your blog or overall social media efforts.
Once again, a thought provoking post Jim
[...] Ironically, at a time when you are seeking to be as visible as possible, the temptation is often to try and copy what you see the most successful sites (or newsletters) [...]