I’m going to tell you guys a secret, even though I know I shouldn’t. If you set yourself up as your own competitor(s), I bet you can make more money online or make money blogging. And this idea can help you with anything else in the future as well; this suggestion can apply to many aspects in life.
I know someone who works at this company, let’s call it company A, which manufactures general supplies, and the owner is a millionaire. (This is a true story, no bullshit) So, you know the company does pretty well for themselves. But the owner of company A actually owns a few different companies (B and C), all of which sells the same type of products.
Once a buyer/customer decides to stay with company A, they make a sale and then make money. If the buyer is unsatisfied with the company, they look for another company in the same field and more often than not, they end up finding company B or C.
Even if the buyer is satisfied but company A doesn’t sell a specific product they’re looking for, company A then refers that buyer/customer to company B or C.
What the buyers don’t know, and what the companies don’t (and shouldn’t) tell them is the fact that they’re all owned by the same person. So, in essence, company A is helping B and C and vice versa, and all the income is going to the same bank account.
I hope I didn’t lose anyone.
Here’s an easier way to look at it, say I own McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s fast food chains and I know my customers all like one specific thing better than the other (Personally, I prefer Burger King fries, McDonald’s chicken nuggets and Wendy’s burger’s over the next), but say I put all those fast food chains on one street and act like their competitors, wouldn’t it just help me, as the owner, out even more?
In my personal example, I could go to Burger King strictly for the French fries, McDonald’s for the chicken nuggets and Wendy’s for their burgers but either way, all my money goes to one company, one owner.
And we are all tempted when they’re half a block from each other, aren’t we?
Just imagine all those times you said, “screw McDonald’s, I’m going to Burger King, they’re better anyways!”
Yeah, exactly my point.
So, for instance, John Chow should have bought JohnCow.com (I said ‘Cow’ for those reading too fast and missed that) when it was for sale because he would have friendly competition for himself which is, um, himself, and it could potentially double his monthly income if he worked it right.
But that’s just my personal opinion.
So, basically what I’m saying is competition is good… even if the competition is yourself. I mean, I look at all my blogging friends as friendly competition just to stay motivated.
It doesn’t hurt to do the same. And I bet it’ll help you make more money online!
Side note: For those of you waiting for the Free Orkut Themes post to be updated with new Orkut themes, well, I just added a few more so go check them out.
You have your points. I agree with the fact that it’s always better to have a competitor even though if it’s oneself than to have none at all.
Competition is what makes us a better player and in blogging context, a better blogger.
But having oneself as a competitor is something I haven’t thought before.
Yan
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Thanks for the comment on my blog.
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Never thought about competing with myself. No idea how I would go about it either but a good thought all the same.
I like Wendy’s Burgers as well and it just isn’t cause of the name LOL
Burger king fries??? No way…McDonalds!
Jackinthebox – spicy chicken nuggets
McDonalds – Fries and Nuggets
Burger King – Hash Browns
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It’s not really a secret. As far as I know, a lot of marketing guy use this trick to increase their sales or market shares or customer buying atmosphere.
Blog for Beginners – And when I say you should be your own competition, I meant literally. And don’t let anyone else know… for example, if you’re doing affiliate marketing, set up a couple different landing pages for the same product, you know?
Wendy – Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Big Mac fan but there’s just something about Wendy’s… lol
Susan – LOL! McDonald’s fries doesn’t have the same taste as it once did when I was younger… but the sucky part, we don’t have a Jack in the Box out east either.
Andy T – True, it’s not really a trick but notice how none of these marketing guys will expose this trick or let you know about company A, B and C are all from that one guy? But yeah, it’s not a “trick” but I’m sure a lot of people never thought about it before.
Jay
Wow, I must say I’ve enjoyed reading through your blog – definitely a lot of interesting information.
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Susan, I’m right with you!
But I also agree about the competition, I have seen many bloggers do much better ever since Blogging Idol started. Even I have tried to increase my posts and promote my blog harder.
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Competition is always good…and owning that competition is the best yet.
It’s truly amazing how many ways there are to make money out there once you think outside the box….
Data points, Barbara
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I sat through a Harvard Business School class once that touched on the benefits to coke of competing with pepsi. To paraphrase a quote from a Coke executive “if Pepsi didn’t exist, it would be beneficial for us to invent it”
John Chow vs. Shoemoney – by competing they’ve defined the MMO niche as “either A or B” not “which of a million”
Carnival of Making Money Onlines last blog post..Taking your Blog to a Community
Interesting article, something to consider at least.
Awesome post Jay. I think this is a really good tip. Although if John Chow had bought John Chow – I would have stopped reading!
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As far as we know, chow did buy cow. And it’s definitely something John would do since it’s kind of sneaky.
I have a hard time competing against myself and staying motivated for some reason. I’m much better when I have a direct competitor that is threatening my stake somehow…whether it be websites, search engine rankings, video games or whatever.
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You made a point Jay, however, sometimes, it is really hard promoting one blog, especially to newbies like me… but of course, making money online requires enough patience and determination.
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@ DotDriven – There’s no way. The content on John Cow is way better than the content that is currently being produced on John Chow. Plus, the personalities shown through the writing styles is different. Unless he’s outsourcing the work, I wouldn’t believe it!