Don't be a Copycat!

In December, one of my clients gave away a 46" flat-screen HDTV. A couple weeks later, a competitor gave away a TV, and today another local competitor started running a contest to give away a free TV too! My first response is to get angry that our competitors have "copied" us, and that they are trying to ride on our coat tails...but then, after my "coulda had a V8 moment," I realize that we should be 100% flattered! Our competitors don't want to be overshadowed by us, so they tried to one-up us. HA!

This is a classic mistake in advertising! Avoid a knee-jerk reaction to competitor marketing strategies! This "me too" attitude only makes you look like a follower in your industry instead of a leader. Your customers don't care who was the last to give away a TV. All they care about is that you provide the products they need at the price they can afford and give them the customer service they deserve.

Here are 3 tips to avoid the knee-jerk "me too" response to competitve advertising.

• Be unique. You couldn't copy off someone's paper in highschool, and you can't in business either!
• Have a plan and stick with it. By the time your competitors have developed an identical promotion to yours, you have moved on to a bigger and better promotion!
• Anticipate your competitors' next move. Always have your competitors on your radar so you know what they are doing at all times.

Just remember, if you want to win in business, don't create a copycat company. Be the leader and stand up for what you believe in! You will find that customers will flock to your door because you have something everybody wants...guts!

Want to be an industry leader? Let me help you! TRIO Marketing Branding Advertising can help determine your uniqueness, develop a plan and squash your competitors! Contact me at triomarketing123@gmail.com