January 5, 2018

Standing out

To increase your prices way beyond the “market rate” for what you do, you have to stand out from the crowd.

You have to get noticed. You have to be different. You have to become a monopoly.

You have to become the only option for clients who want what you deliver.

Here’s the thing...

You can’t do this by copying anyone else.

Emulating your heroes as your getting your business off the ground is a fine place to start. But it does have it’s limits and once you reach them, you’ll finally be ready to do something uniquely your own. To contribute something new. To find your own voice.

This transition takes different forms for different people, but ultimately it boils down to one thing:

Taking a stand.

Taking a stand is hard. It means breaking away from the safety of the herd. Standing on your own, and saying to the rest of the population, “No thanks. I’m going to go this way.”

This is a vulnerable position to be in, and it’s scary. Most of the herd will see you as a threat because you’re questioning the status quo. Some of them - perhaps even friends - will attack you.

The reality is that it feels a lot riskier than it actually is. We’re not talking about life and death situations. Just keep in mind that if you’re doing anything interesting, attacks are inevitable.

In fact, when the herd starts to attack you, it’s a sign that you’re probably on to something.

More tomorrow...

Yours,

—J

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