The most searched for phrase on Google is ‘How To’.  The reason is people are always seeking road maps.  We want to know how to stand out from the crowd, how to get on the first page of Google, how to become a public speaker, etc.  The thinking is if we know how someone else did it, then perhaps we can follow their path and also do it.

Here’s the problem, instructions on standing out from the crowd are useless, because in order to stand out from the crowd you can’t do what most people have done.  It’s a bit self defeating to attempt to be different by figuring out what most people have already done.

This is especially a problem in business.  If you’re just another gal blogging about marketing you’ll never stand out.

If you can find directions to standing out then you likely won’t.  Because thousands of other people will find those same instructions and you’ll all be doing the same thing.  We see this now with internet, and social media.  Companies and individuals who started earlier have advantages.  Late comers are struggling to stand out and be heard.  I’m not saying don’t start if you have not, but be aware it won’t be easy.

It helps to be really good at what you do when you are seeking to stand out.  You need some ‘flash’, (think Lady Ga Ga) that visible thing that makes you different, but you have to have some substance to (she a great performer).

The best way to stand out from the crowd is to forge your own path, ignore rules, be true to your own voice, and seek to serve a tribe rather than a mass. (Click To Tweet)