For some reason, I've been getting a lot of questions about competition lately.
"Are you worried that "Designer X's" new product will compete too directly with yours?"
"Why would you want to collaborate with "Designer Z"? She's your competition?
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| photo by fusionbposervices.com |
1. It keeps me on my toes. Without competition, it's very easy to become complacent, even lazy. If my customers have no alternatives to my patterns to choose from, then I may not feel the drive or incentive to be innovative or creative.
2. It helps me grow my market. I know I'm on to a good idea when other people are coming up with similar products. As more handbag designers market and advertise their products, it brings more customers to the table. And every new customer is a potential customer of mine. :)
3. It reminds me to define and focus on MY target customer. Without competition, it's very tempting to lose sight of my target customer. My focus could become too broad, too diluted to appeal to my loyal customers anymore.
4. It can motivate me to a higher level of customer service. Great customer service is an excellent way to differentiate myself from the competition. I want to always remember that nothing will drive my customers to the competition faster than poor customer service on my part.
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| photo by iamsassychic.com |
5. It provides an alternative for customers who aren't a good fit for my product.
Much as I hate to admit it, my products are not for everyone, and you know what? That's OK. But hey- if that's the case, why wouldn't I want them to buy a handbag pattern from Designer X? I want my competition to thrive because it keeps our industry strong, vibrant and diverse, and in the end isn't that the atmosphere that we can ALL grow in? So I say...
Why should I be afraid of the competition?
OK, so Designer X has 20,000 Facebook followers, I'm glad. She showed me it could be done and I'm grateful for that.
And if you choose to to buy a handbag pattern from "Designer Z", even though you looked at patterns from both of us, I'm glad. If "Designer Z's" handbag patterns can meet your needs better than ours can, then you made a great choice and you saved us both a lot of trouble.
Because here's the deal. I couldn't possibly compete with "Designer X" or "Designer Z", because I'm incapable of doing what they do. Just as they are incapable of doing what I do!
Does this make sense or am I the only one who thinks this way?
I've been very fortunate indeed to be able to collaborate with some amazing women, many of whom have products that compete DIRECTLY with my own products. I can only hope that our association has been as helpful and inspiring to them, as it has been to me! Here's a partial list (in no particular order):
Linda McGehee of Ghee's Bags
Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs
Vicki Welsh of 3 Creative Studios
Pat Sloan - writer, designer, and radio personality
Henrietta Timmons of Henrietta's Handbags
Dianne Springer of Dianne Springer Designs
Susa Glenn of Susa Glenn Designs* * * * * * *
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Awesome! And that attitude will insure (as if you needed insurance) that you will succeed at everything you do. By the way, I've looked at some of these designers and while I may have found something here or there that appealed to me, I'm not on the edge of my seat to see what they'll do next. You have me there every time. And your biggest appeal is the love you have for what you do and for sharing it with all of us. That is success, and you're already there.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've had a great vacation that you'll always remember fondly. Thank you for sharing those gorgeous pictures. Now go home and get me that pattern!
I love your attitude. I am in the middle of my first Quattro and I admire your brilliance! I can't imagine how you develop and come up with patterns and instructions that allow those of us without your ingenuity to make something so beautiful! But I'm so glad you do! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Thank you, Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOne more day of fun and then we'll wing our way home to reality, but with wonderful memories we'll never forget! :)
You know, I've been giving this more thought and I think the whole idea of competition is basically flawed. It's based on the idea that in order for me to be more successful, someone else has to be less. Personally, I think there's enough success out there for everyone. I'm really glad that you've found yours. Your snowball is really rolling, picking up speed and getting bigger with no end in sight.
ReplyDeleteI thought a little about your competition last week when I shopped in a Montana quilt store (on our vacation from Calgary!) and saw your patterns along with lots of others. It was great to see a couple of your bags made up as samples, since it's sometimes hard to visualize how big or small a bag is going to be. I even felt somewhat "disloyal" looking at other patterns, but did buy a different one, anyway, as it is a totally different look than what I've seen in yours, and we all like variety, right? I, too, feel that there must be "enough success out there for everyone."
ReplyDeleteI also bought fabric with "Quattro" and your new travel bag in mind, and am looking forward to making those, so that will send more "success" your way when I order those patterns. And we'll see if the "competition" pattern instructions are as good as yours!
Thanks so much for your designs and the personal way you convey them and yourself to us on your blog and Facebook. I'm so glad you've enjoyed Calgary, your trip through the Rockies, and Vancouver!
Sharon A.
Thanks for the nice comments Sharon! And as for this trip through the Rockies..... it really has been one of my very best vacations! :)
ReplyDeleteHow refreshing!! Respect and admiration for competitors!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading "A Work In Progress" and look forward to receiving it. Thank you for taking your valuable time to write these and for sharing you experience and knowledge. I hope to begin marketing my own work soon and every time I get scared I read your articles (which I save) and get encouraged to keep going. Thank you again for your efforts, they are greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Kim B
Great attitude!
ReplyDeleteI don't view it as competition, rather as having choices; which is what makes the world go round! I know my products and if I know someone else's products would meet my customer's needs better, I have sent them their way. Trust me, a loyal customer appreciates the helping hand, and will remember you in the future.
ReplyDeletethank you for this post. I never looked at competition that way before. you
ReplyDeleteare so right. each of us has our own unique style and art form. thanks
again
What a healthy view on competition! I enjoyed your post today because it
ReplyDeletepresented such a balanced viewpoint. My minister once said that some
people were out to make a killing instead of making a living, and I think
that is so true. You seem to be one who is out to make a living and
realizes that you don't have to take all of your perspective client base in
order to do it. Continued success in your business.
Sue H
Thanks so much for the nice comments... do you think we can start a movement?
ReplyDelete:)