We both are probably in our businesses for a similar reason. We want to make life a little better for us and our families, while at the same time provide something of value to enhance the lives of our customers.
Somehow along the way, the journey of owning
a business gets muddled with random issues.
We end up thinking that we know exactly what
our customers will want. We invent things that
we are sure will be the “next big thing” and
sometimes we even get a few winners under our
belts.
However, the road to amazing-ness is sometimes
paved with razor blades and broken glass.
We get knocked down, dragged out, and occasionally
even lit on fire as you try to claw your way to
your amazing idea that will change the world.
Well, there is an EASIER way.
You don’t have to take the hard, obscure road
where there might only be a couple of customers.
The other way is not as glamorous.
The other way will not get you invited to fancy
parties with limos and rock stars.
However, the other way is a much closer guarantee
towards success than trying to develop a unique
idea.
What is that way?
The 10% rule.
Take something that is ALREADY a rock-star success
and tweak it by just 10%.
If you can improve a product or service by just 10%
with things that the customers actually WANT (not
like a Swiss Army cell phone), then you can almost
ensure your success.
If you want to show your customers how you are
the only on on the planet with that 10% improvement,
then you have to start with a unique selling
proposition or USP.
Your USP is the foundation of what your business
stands for and the biggest promise that you can
make to your customers.
Click here if you want to know more about creating
your own USP with my custom-designed course:
http://www.ultimateUSPcreator.com
What can you tweak just 10% in order to take
your small business to the level you want to
become?
Until tomorrow,
Joshua Black
*******************************************
Copyright 2010, Outer Limit Productions LLC.
All rights reserved.
Download these other great products to help
your business earn huge piles of moolah:
http://www.product-pricing-strategy.com
http://www.how-to-business-network.com
http://www.ranking-higher-seo.com
http://www.UnderdogMillionaire.com/blog
http://www.sales-letter-system.com
http://www.closing-the-sale.com
http://www.information-product-report.com
http://www.UltimateUSPcreator.com
http://www.underdog-success-formula.com
_________________________________________
{ 6 comments }
Joshua:
I get what you are saying, take something someone else has done and make it better. I have heard this since college.
Having a Unique Selling Proposition is very important. But it has to be more than just words. It has to be the mantra of a company. Everyone in the company has to believe in the USP in order for it to truly take hold. In other words, it needs to be more than just a pitch.
- Rick
Thanks for stopping by Rick. Yep, this is something that has been repeated for years and years. I even repeat it frequently on the blog. It’s a shame that most entrepreneurs don’t actually follow the advice and take the hard road instead… trying to come up with that original thought.
-Josh
Interesting point Joshua, why reinvent something when it’s already working.
I never looked at it from this perspective though but I would imagine that by following this rule than the outcome will be a lot better and like you said all you need to do then is to drive customers with your USP and then delivering on that promise.
Anna
Great point Josh!
Another thing I might add is that while YOU may think you’ve got the greatest idea for your next product, your audience might not share your views.
You can take advantage of you 10% rule again and send a survey to your audience (your readers, or mailing list subscribers), get a 10% response and find out what they REALLY want.
Then, deliver it, and increase your chances of your next product being a big hit by leaps and bounds
Thanks again for another thought-provoking post Josh.
You can go for the 10% evolution. Revolution grabs more attention.
One of my secrets was coming up with a killer USP – Healthy Beautiful Smiles for Life. It’s a guiding philosophy and the main benefit of our services.
Most people in my industry are focused on disease. By changing the focus to health and beauty I have people lining up for it.
Joe,
True, revolution does grab more attention and it is also the thing that makes for society-changing companies, but if you look at the products that we use in our daily lives, they have really just been 10-20% tweaks… just look at the Ipod (not revolutionary-radio to Walkman to portable MP3 Players- beaustifully designed MP3 player), Facebook (a tweak to current email and picture sharing), it goes on and on. There are few things that are completely original ideas that have stood the test of time without being taken over more successfully by another entrepreneur that did it just 10% better.
-Josh