Here is the Golden Rule of Marketing. It is the #1 most important piece of information that you will ever learn. If you never learn anything else about marketing, learn this, because this, my friend, will change business life as you know it.

There are millions and millions of small businesses out there. And if you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times:  if you’re just another fish in the sea – you will drown.  There’s just too much competition.

You must be unique and stand apart from the crowd.

Believe me, most small business owners have no idea how to do this. Zero, zilch, nada. Take a look around. Most marketers are doing what everyone else is doing. They think that if they just follow the rules, they will succeed. But, blending in and following the crowd is the exact opposite of what they should be doing.

Every single time I search on Google, I find hundreds of companies that are virtually all the same. They point to replicated, impersonal websites highlighting companies that looks like every other company; boring ad copy that puts me to sleep before I even get past the headline. It all starts to blend together and I can’t keep one business straight from another. Yawn.

So, why do you think that 97% of all new business owners are failing? If you ask me, it’s pretty darn simple; they don’t understand the amazing power of being unique.

Whether you’re a teacher, life coach, dentist, or author, you must brand yourself in this crazy marketing world. You need to let your prospects know that you are a one-of-a-kind, completely unique small business. In other words, you need to show the world that there is no other company quite like yours. And guess what? There is no other company quite like yours, so you already have that going for you.

Pick out one or two incredibly unique qualities about your small business and tell the world. What do you offer that no one else offers? Do you get back to customers within the hour? Do you offer fun contests and give-aways? How about an amazing guarantee?

Show your distinct colors, have some fun and be you. And, don’t just copy what everybody else is doing. In fact, the more you copy, the faster you will fail.

If you can accomplish this one small feat, the world will be your oyster. Everything you touch will turn to gold.

It’s up to you. You can blend in with the crowd and join the 97% or, you can stand up and shout your distinct qualities from the rooftops with the other 3%. Try it. You just might like it.