{"id":"16d83007-8cf7-4b3c-b827-44a58447418a","posttitle":"how-to-stand-out-when-everyone-is-saying-the-same-thing","title":"How to Stand Out When Everyone Is Saying the Same Thing","featured_imghd":"https://auth.typeflo.io/storage/v1/object/public/posts/public/a70e180b-92a4-4071-b80f-81be9bffc059/16d83007-8cf7-4b3c-b827-44a58447418a/featuredImg/hd.webp?1750239100384","featured_imgsd":"https://auth.typeflo.io/storage/v1/object/public/posts/public/a70e180b-92a4-4071-b80f-81be9bffc059/16d83007-8cf7-4b3c-b827-44a58447418a/featuredImg/sd.webp?1750239100205","post":"

Ever noticed how everyone in your industry sounds exactly the same?

\"We provide excellent customer service!\"\n\"We're passionate about what we do!\"\n\"We put the customer first!\"

Yawn. These phrases have been repeated so often they've lost all meaning. When everyone claims to be unique in identical ways, nobody stands out. It's like wearing the same \"unique\" t-shirt as everyone else at a party.

But here's the truth: in business, blending in is the fastest route to being forgotten. And being forgotten is the fastest route to going broke.

Let me explain why this matters more now than ever before...

The Sameness Problem

I was scrolling through LinkedIn last week and played a little game. I covered up the company names and logos on posts from six different marketing agencies and tried to guess which was which.

I couldn't. Not even once.

They all used the same buzzwords, made the same promises, and even had similar blue-and-white color schemes. It was impossible to tell them apart.

This \"sameness problem\" affects nearly every industry today. When everyone follows the same formulas and copies what's working for others, we end up with a sea of indistinguishable businesses all screaming for attention.

True story: A friend recently wanted to hire a business coach. After talking to five different coaches who all said virtually identical things (\"I'll help you scale!\", \"I have a proven system!\"), she gave up in frustration. Nobody stood out. Nobody got hired.

Don't let this happen to you.

$\"image_1\"$

Why Standing Out Isn't Optional

• Standing out isn't about being different for the sake of being different. It's about survival.

In today's overcrowded marketplace, being forgettable is a business death sentence. When potential customers can't remember what makes you different from your competitors, they default to the easiest decision-making factor: price. And unless you want to compete solely on price (trust me, you don't), you need to carve out a distinct place in your customers' minds.

• Your uniqueness is your most valuable business asset.

Every business has something that makes it different. The problem is, most businesses never identify what that is—or worse, they identify the wrong thing. Then they waste years trying to compete on strengths they don't actually have.

Now let's get practical. Here are seven ways to stand out when everyone around you sounds the same:

1. Tell Your Real Story (Not Your Marketing Story)

• Your journey matters more than you think.

I once worked with a financial advisor who kept describing himself as \"client-focused\" and \"dedicated to excellent service\"—just like every other advisor in town. But during a casual lunch, he mentioned he'd grown up in extreme poverty and had taught himself investing by reading library books as a teenager.

That was his real story. That's what made clients remember and trust him. That's what made him stand out.

Your journey to where you are now—especially the messy, imperfect parts—is unique to you. The obstacles you've overcome. The lessons you've learned. The reasons you do what you do.

Don't hide these behind generic marketing speak. They're your greatest differentiator.

• Share client stories, not just client testimonials.

Everyone has testimonials saying \"Great service, highly recommend!\" But what about the full stories of how you actually helped someone?

The consultant who helped a struggling restaurant turn around by identifying they were targeting the wrong neighborhood demographic.

The copywriter who rewrote a client's website and doubled their conversion rate within a month.

These specific, detailed stories demonstrate your value far better than vague testimonials ever could.

2. Find Your Actual Uniqueness

• What you think makes you special probably doesn't.

The things businesses typically claim make them \"unique\" are usually the exact same things their competitors claim: great service, quality, expertise, caring about customers.

Your true uniqueness usually lies in:

Your specific combination of skills and experiences
Your particular approach or methodology
The specific types of clients you serve best
Your personal values and how they shape your business

• Ask this powerful question: \"What would my clients miss if I disappeared tomorrow?\"

Not the generic stuff like \"good service\" but the specific things only you provide. Maybe it's your ability to explain complex concepts in simple language. Maybe it's how you check in two weeks after a project to make sure everything's working. Maybe it's your brutal honesty when something isn't going to work.

Whatever it is, that's your starting point for standing out.

$\"image_2\"$

3. Communicate Differently

• If everyone in your industry uses formal language, try being conversational.

If they all use corporate jargon, speak plainly. If they're all serious and professional, consider adding appropriate humor.

I know a tax accountant who stands out in his extremely dry industry by using casual language and dad jokes in his client communications. Clients love it because it makes a dreaded topic (taxes) slightly more enjoyable.

• Watch out for industry buzzwords and clichés.

Every industry has them. In marketing, it's \"cutting-edge strategies\" and \"driving results.\" In coaching, it's \"unlock your potential\" and \"take it to the next level.\"

These phrases signal to potential clients that you think exactly like everyone else. Keep a list of overused terms in your industry and intentionally avoid them.

• Break formatting expectations.

If everyone in your field sends long, text-heavy emails, try using more white space, bullet points, or even the occasional emoji if appropriate.

If all your competitors' websites look the same, design yours differently (while still keeping it user-friendly).

Visual distinctiveness creates memorability.

4. Show, Don't Tell

• Anyone can claim anything. Actions prove everything.

Don't tell me you provide amazing customer service—show me by responding to my inquiry within hours instead of days. Don't tell me you're innovative—show me with case studies of truly original solutions you've developed.

• Create \"show\" moments in your customer experience.

Amazon could have simply stated \"We're committed to customer satisfaction.\" Instead, they created a return policy so easy that it shows their commitment. They don't need to tell you they care about your experience—they demonstrate it.

What's your equivalent? What aspects of your business process actively demonstrate your values rather than just claiming them?

5. Develop a Distinctive Personal Brand

• In a world of faceless businesses, being a real person is revolutionary.

I've watched countless entrepreneurs hide behind their company names and formal business personas. Meanwhile, the ones who let their genuine personalities shine through their work almost always create stronger connections with clients.

This doesn't mean sharing every detail of your personal life. It means letting your natural communication style, values, and personality inform how you present your business.

• Your \"flaws\" can become your strengths.

Are you overly blunt? Market yourself as \"the consultant who tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.\"

Are you obsessively detail-oriented to the point that others find it annoying? Position it as \"we catch the small things others miss.\"

The characteristics you might consider weaknesses often become the most memorable aspects of your brand.

$\"image_3\"$

6. Narrow Your Focus

• The riches are in the niches, as they say.

One of the most effective ways to stand out is to serve a specific subset of clients better than anyone else. Instead of being a \"marketing consultant,\" become \"the marketing consultant for independent bookstores.\" Instead of being a \"business coach,\" become \"the business coach for female entrepreneurs over 50.\"

When you narrow your focus, you can tailor your messaging, services, and entire business model to serve that specific group exceptionally well. And that's when word starts to spread.

• Saying who you're NOT for is as important as saying who you ARE for.

Most businesses are afraid to exclude anyone. They want everyone to be a potential customer. But this \"everyone is welcome\" approach leads directly to generic messaging.

Being clear about who you don't serve shows confidence and clarity. It signals to your ideal clients that you truly understand their specific needs.

7. Deliver the Unexpected

• Surprise creates memorability.

What small unexpected touch could you add to your business? Maybe it's a handwritten thank-you note in an age of automated emails. Maybe it's checking in with clients on the anniversary of working together. Maybe it's sending a relevant article or resource without being asked.

These unexpected moments create stories that clients tell others about your business.

• Break one industry \"rule\" that doesn't actually serve clients.

Every industry has unwritten rules that exist more for the businesses' convenience than for customers' benefit. Identify one and deliberately break it.

A restaurant near me broke the \"reservation only\" rule of fine dining and instead adopted a \"come as you are\" policy. It made them famous in a city full of pretentious eateries.

What industry convention could you challenge?

Putting This Into Practice: Your Next Steps

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all these strategies, start small:

This week: Identify three common phrases or claims in your industry that everyone uses. Remove them from your website and marketing materials.
\n
Next week: Ask three past clients this question: \"What was different about working with me compared to others you've worked with?\" Their answers will reveal your true differentiators.
\n
Within 30 days: Implement one unexpected element in your customer experience—something small but memorable that clients wouldn't anticipate.
\n

Remember, standing out isn't about being loud or gimmicky. It's about being clearly and authentically yourself in a world that encourages sameness.

The businesses that thrive long-term aren't the ones that blend in perfectly with their industries. They're the ones that have the courage to be distinctly themselves.

That's the magic of it—your uniqueness is already there. You don't need to invent it. You just need to uncover it, embrace it, and communicate it clearly.

So tell me—what makes YOUR business different? (And if your answer includes \"great customer service,\" we need to talk!)

$\"\"$

","postedby":"a70e180b-92a4-4071-b80f-81be9bffc059","created_at":"2025-06-18T09:28:14.155+00:00","docsid":null,"href":"/posts/how-to-stand-out-when-everyone-is-saying-the-same-thing","excerpt":"","metatitle":"","metadescription":"","postClamp":"Ever noticed how everyone in your industry sounds exactly the same?\n\"We provide excellent customer service!\"\n\"We're passionate about what we do!\"\n\"We put the customer first!\"\nYawn. These....","reading_time":"9 min read","toc":null,"postContentText":"Ever noticed how everyone in your industry sounds exactly the same?\n\"We provide excellent customer service!\"\n\"We're passionate about what we do!\"\n\"We put the customer first!\"\nYawn. These phrases have been repeated so often they've lost all meaning. When everyone claims to be unique in identical ways, nobody stands out. It's like wearing the same \"unique\" t-shirt as everyone else at a party.\nBut here's the truth: in business, blending in is the fastest route to being forgotten. And being forgotten is the fastest route to going broke.\nLet me explain why this matters more now than ever before...\nThe Sameness Problem\nI was scrolling through LinkedIn last week and played a little game. I covered up the company names and logos on posts from six different marketing agencies and tried to guess which was which.\nI couldn't. Not even once.\nThey all used the same buzzwords, made the same promises, and even had similar blue-and-white color schemes. It was impossible to tell them apart.\nThis \"sameness problem\" affects nearly every industry today. When everyone follows the same formulas and copies what's working for others, we end up with a sea of indistinguishable businesses all screaming for attention.\nTrue story: A friend recently wanted to hire a business coach. After talking to five different coaches who all said virtually identical things (\"I'll help you scale!\", \"I have a proven system!\"), she gave up in frustration. Nobody stood out. Nobody got hired.\nDon't let this happen to you.\n\nWhy Standing Out Isn't Optional\n• Standing out isn't about being different for the sake of being different. It's about survival.\nIn today's overcrowded marketplace, being forgettable is a business death sentence. When potential customers can't remember what makes you different from your competitors, they default to the easiest decision-making factor: price. And unless you want to compete solely on price (trust me, you don't), you need to carve out a distinct place in your customers' minds.\n• Your uniqueness is your most valuable business asset.\nEvery business has something that makes it different. The problem is, most businesses never identify what that is—or worse, they identify the wrong thing. Then they waste years trying to compete on strengths they don't actually have.\nNow let's get practical. Here are seven ways to stand out when everyone around you sounds the same:\n1. Tell Your Real Story (Not Your Marketing Story)\n• Your journey matters more than you think.\nI once worked with a financial advisor who kept describing himself as \"client-focused\" and \"dedicated to excellent service\"—just like every other advisor in town. But during a casual lunch, he mentioned he'd grown up in extreme poverty and had taught himself investing by reading library books as a teenager.\nThat was his real story. That's what made clients remember and trust him. That's what made him stand out.\nYour journey to where you are now—especially the messy, imperfect parts—is unique to you. The obstacles you've overcome. The lessons you've learned. The reasons you do what you do.\nDon't hide these behind generic marketing speak. They're your greatest differentiator.\n• Share client stories, not just client testimonials.\nEveryone has testimonials saying \"Great service, highly recommend!\" But what about the full stories of how you actually helped someone?\nThe consultant who helped a struggling restaurant turn around by identifying they were targeting the wrong neighborhood demographic.\nThe copywriter who rewrote a client's website and doubled their conversion rate within a month.\nThese specific, detailed stories demonstrate your value far better than vague testimonials ever could.\n2. Find Your Actual Uniqueness\n• What you think makes you special probably doesn't.\nThe things businesses typically claim make them \"unique\" are usually the exact same things their competitors claim: great service, quality, expertise, caring about customers.\nYour true uniqueness usually lies in:\n\nYour specific combination of skills and experiences\nYour particular approach or methodology\nThe specific types of clients you serve best\nYour personal values and how they shape your business\n\n• Ask this powerful question: \"What would my clients miss if I disappeared tomorrow?\"\nNot the generic stuff like \"good service\" but the specific things only you provide. Maybe it's your ability to explain complex concepts in simple language. Maybe it's how you check in two weeks after a project to make sure everything's working. Maybe it's your brutal honesty when something isn't going to work.\nWhatever it is, that's your starting point for standing out.\n\n3. Communicate Differently\n• If everyone in your industry uses formal language, try being conversational.\nIf they all use corporate jargon, speak plainly. If they're all serious and professional, consider adding appropriate humor.\nI know a tax accountant who stands out in his extremely dry industry by using casual language and dad jokes in his client communications. Clients love it because it makes a dreaded topic (taxes) slightly more enjoyable.\n• Watch out for industry buzzwords and clichés.\nEvery industry has them. In marketing, it's \"cutting-edge strategies\" and \"driving results.\" In coaching, it's \"unlock your potential\" and \"take it to the next level.\"\nThese phrases signal to potential clients that you think exactly like everyone else. Keep a list of overused terms in your industry and intentionally avoid them.\n• Break formatting expectations.\nIf everyone in your field sends long, text-heavy emails, try using more white space, bullet points, or even the occasional emoji if appropriate.\nIf all your competitors' websites look the same, design yours differently (while still keeping it user-friendly).\nVisual distinctiveness creates memorability.\n4. Show, Don't Tell\n• Anyone can claim anything. Actions prove everything.\nDon't tell me you provide amazing customer service—show me by responding to my inquiry within hours instead of days. Don't tell me you're innovative—show me with case studies of truly original solutions you've developed.\n• Create \"show\" moments in your customer experience.\nAmazon could have simply stated \"We're committed to customer satisfaction.\" Instead, they created a return policy so easy that it shows their commitment. They don't need to tell you they care about your experience—they demonstrate it.\nWhat's your equivalent? What aspects of your business process actively demonstrate your values rather than just claiming them?\n5. Develop a Distinctive Personal Brand\n• In a world of faceless businesses, being a real person is revolutionary.\nI've watched countless entrepreneurs hide behind their company names and formal business personas. Meanwhile, the ones who let their genuine personalities shine through their work almost always create stronger connections with clients.\nThis doesn't mean sharing every detail of your personal life. It means letting your natural communication style, values, and personality inform how you present your business.\n• Your \"flaws\" can become your strengths.\nAre you overly blunt? Market yourself as \"the consultant who tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.\"\nAre you obsessively detail-oriented to the point that others find it annoying? Position it as \"we catch the small things others miss.\"\nThe characteristics you might consider weaknesses often become the most memorable aspects of your brand.\n\n6. Narrow Your Focus\n• The riches are in the niches, as they say.\nOne of the most effective ways to stand out is to serve a specific subset of clients better than anyone else. Instead of being a \"marketing consultant,\" become \"the marketing consultant for independent bookstores.\" Instead of being a \"business coach,\" become \"the business coach for female entrepreneurs over 50.\"\nWhen you narrow your focus, you can tailor your messaging, services, and entire business model to serve that specific group exceptionally well. And that's when word starts to spread.\n• Saying who you're NOT for is as important as saying who you ARE for.\nMost businesses are afraid to exclude anyone. They want everyone to be a potential customer. But this \"everyone is welcome\" approach leads directly to generic messaging.\nBeing clear about who you don't serve shows confidence and clarity. It signals to your ideal clients that you truly understand their specific needs.\n7. Deliver the Unexpected\n• Surprise creates memorability.\nWhat small unexpected touch could you add to your business? Maybe it's a handwritten thank-you note in an age of automated emails. Maybe it's checking in with clients on the anniversary of working together. Maybe it's sending a relevant article or resource without being asked.\nThese unexpected moments create stories that clients tell others about your business.\n• Break one industry \"rule\" that doesn't actually serve clients.\nEvery industry has unwritten rules that exist more for the businesses' convenience than for customers' benefit. Identify one and deliberately break it.\nA restaurant near me broke the \"reservation only\" rule of fine dining and instead adopted a \"come as you are\" policy. It made them famous in a city full of pretentious eateries.\nWhat industry convention could you challenge?\nPutting This Into Practice: Your Next Steps\nIf you're feeling overwhelmed by all these strategies, start small:\n\nThis week: Identify three common phrases or claims in your industry that everyone uses. Remove them from your website and marketing materials.\n\nNext week: Ask three past clients this question: \"What was different about working with me compared to others you've worked with?\" Their answers will reveal your true differentiators.\n\nWithin 30 days: Implement one unexpected element in your customer experience—something small but memorable that clients wouldn't anticipate.\n\n\nRemember, standing out isn't about being loud or gimmicky. It's about being clearly and authentically yourself in a world that encourages sameness.\nThe businesses that thrive long-term aren't the ones that blend in perfectly with their industries. They're the ones that have the courage to be distinctly themselves.\nThat's the magic of it—your uniqueness is already there. You don't need to invent it. You just need to uncover it, embrace it, and communicate it clearly.\nSo tell me—what makes YOUR business different? (And if your answer includes \"great customer service,\" we need to talk!)\n","scheduled":null,"categories":[],"multiauthors":[{"label":"Alun Hill","value":"153de11c-9ce8-4d79-9d19-c10da778e84c"}],"tags":[],"toc_status":false,"restricted":false,"restricted_percentage":30,"authors":{"id":"a70e180b-92a4-4071-b80f-81be9bffc059","cta":null,"theme":{"layout":"card","custom_theme":":root {\n --c-primary-50: 230, 230, 230;\n --c-primary-100: 204, 204, 204;\n --c-primary-200: 153, 153, 153;\n --c-primary-300: 102, 102, 102;\n --c-primary-400: 51, 51, 51;\n --c-primary-500: 0, 0, 0;\n --c-primary-600: 0, 0, 0;\n --c-primary-700: 0, 0, 0;\n --c-primary-800: 0, 0, 0;\n --c-primary-900: 0, 0, 0;\n }","theme_colour":"#000000","translation_strings":null},"users":{"slug":"no-prep","full_name":"No Prep","avatar_url":"https://auth.typeflo.io/storage/v1/object/public/authors/public/dec87a97-e3ff-438e-99a1-66444fc092fc/images/avatar.webp?1764422416236"},"embedded":null,"username":"alun-hill","metatitle":"Alun Hill, Journalist - Personal Blog","cus_domain":"blog.tetmo.com","newsletterC":{"popup":null,"title":"Register For The Free Newsletter","subtitle":"Unsubscribe any time","acceptance":"","exit_intent":{"title":"Wait! 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