Ever think that in order to become successful, you have to come up with some brand new idea that no one has ever seen, with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos and super cool thingamajiggers?
Coming up with a new invention or idea is one way to achieve massive success. But it isn't necessary. And it can be the most challenging road to success of them all.
You see – many people have found lots of success just taking something that already existed and simply put their own twist on it (their USP – Unique Selling Proposition). They then mastered the basics of that industry, determined the proper audience to market to (and provide value to), enlisted the proper resources to market it and uh, that’s pretty much it.
Brendon Burchard discusses this in great detail in his awesome new book "The Millionaire Messenger" – where he teaches you how to make a fortune sharing your expertise in whatever field you desire.
Taking that a step further – if you want to become an "expert" or a "success" in a certain niche, find out what those who are successful in that niche are doing and then do it.
I’m sure that this isn’t late-breaking news and you have heard this many times before.
It doesn't mean you have to become a carbon copy of anyone else; however, you do have to learn to master the basics of that niche, find out what makes you different, put your own twist on it, and get-to-gettin'!
To semi-quote one of my favorite ‘tell-it-like-it-is” business coaches, Dani Johnson – success is simple as long as we learn to follow the dang recipe!
After all, Solomon says it best:” "there is nothing new under the sun."
Don't believe me? Think about it: most great inventions are improvements on a previous invention.
Apple is one of the greatest case studies on how to capitalize off of improvements. They gained success with the iPod…then they released another one…AND another one…and then the iPhone…and another one…AND yet another one…then the iPad…now the iPad 2…
You catch my drift?
Did you notice that Apple never has sales specials? You won’t find a clearance rack in their stores. (Trust me, I checked!) They never offer BOGOs (Buy One Get One FREE specials). Nope – they just market, sell and upgrade; then wash, rinse and repeat.
And yet people continue to buy their products time and time again, whether their products are a necessity or not. Be honest – you know a few folks who claim to be broke and do not have a business, yet they own an iPod, iPhone, an iPad (WITH 3G) and the list goes on…
I'm convinced that 20 years from now, people will be buying the iPhone 36 – WITH teleporting capabilities. (OK…maybe not…)
AND, you will still be able to save a lot of money on your car insurance by switching to Geico. (OK…maybe not…)
But I digressed…
Rather than continuing to bore you with more clichés, I want to share an interview that I thought you might find interesting. It is with Will Smith (a fellow Philadelphian, woo-hoo!!!) and a radio host (Angie Martinez) talking about how he became the "Summer Box Office King".
Wanna know what he did? By simply studying the Top 10 Bestselling Movies Of All Time and seeing what they had in common, he discovered 8/10 had special effects and creatures. So in order to become the #1 bestselling actor of all time, he started seeking out scripts that had special effects and creatures. And it didn't end there; he knew that he would need to be in great shape for these movies, so he took action and started training for them. He lives by this mantra:
If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready!
“I understand my stupidity.” ~Will Smith
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Will is the man!
He sure is. I think it’s a Philly thing
Thea,
So interesting. I love Will Smith and I love his approach. Thanks for sharing his insight. Hummm….now, how do I put that to use?
Thanks Michele
Basically, he’s saying whatever you want to do, research the top folks (top 10 or less) of those who have succeeded in that industry, and see if you discover a pattern. For example: you do flower arrangements, right? Look at the Top 5 or 10 folks in your niche. What do they all have in common? Similar website style? Video tips? Blogs? Maybe most of them did wedding arrangements…? I dunno… just see what they have in common, and then put that into practice as you move forward (with your own twist of course). I hope that makes sense…?
Love Will Smith!!! Great article Thea:) This concept is so true regardless of what industry you're in. Of course, I had to stay for the whole 9 mins…LOL!
Ha – I figured SOMEONE would bite the bullet LOL. He had some good tips later on too, but I know the rest of the convo isn’t everyone’s cup of tea ha ha.
He definitely opened my eyes in another way. We often hear “study the competition” but this concept was so simple, I had to share. Can you imagine if more folks did that in other industries. Like he said, the patterns are smack-dab in our faces! I was like “Dang, that is so simple! Why didn’t I think of that?!!!”
Great message, perfect sense! Thanks for sharing Thea!
No problemo Denny! Glad to help
We just watched "The Pursuit of Happniess" for the 2nd time. Great movie! I didn't know that he studied 10 other movies; it's a great concept that we should folow, that's for sure
Hey Olga,
I just watched that movie for the first time a few weeks ago myself. I shed a few tears during the movie and finally went into the ugly cry at the end.
Isn’t this a great tip?! I loves me some Will Smith
Very wise advice, Thea! Thanks for sharing…
Why thank you Victoria. Glad to share
Haha great message and SO true!!
Thanks John!
This is such great advice! It's so true that people (myself included) think that they have to come up with something completely new to get anywhere.. When in reality, there aren't really that many *new* ideas left! An easier and possibly just as effective way to get going is to take someone else's ideas and tweak them a little bit to make them your own. No harm in that, right?
~Laurie