So you just noticed that one of your competitors has started a blog. Should you be worried?
The answer to that question really depends.
If the only web presence your business has right now is a traditional static web site, then yes you probably have some cause for concern.
Implemented well, their blog may very well give them a leg up as they increase their web presence, move up in the search engine rankings, interact with potential customers and generally put a human face on their business while opening another avenue to engage the marketplace.
However if your business has been blogging for a while (and doing it well) then having a competitor jump into blogging may very well be a good thing for you.
The Law of the Tide
Competition is a good thing. For example, have you ever noticed how often McDonald’s and Burger King’s are located right next to each other?
Or the way car dealerships seem to usually be concentrated in the same part of town?
Those businesses are in direct competition with one another yet they tend to group together. You might think it would be better for all of them to be as far from their competitors as possible.
But it’s not.
Because of what I call the Law of the Tide.
A rising tide raises all the ships in the harbor.
Looking at that photo above it’s obvious that as the tide comes in the shrimp boats will be raised just the same as the bigger cargo ship. The idea that the tide would affect one vessel differently than another just because they are different sizes might seem logical.
But the reality is they’ll all rise up exactly the same amount.
Blogging & Tides
How does the Law of the Tide relate to business blogging?
Well if your competition starts blogging too it will add to your efforts to raise awareness about your industry.
But even beyond that having a little competition can help spur you on to take your blogging to the next level. I think Jim Cronin over at The Real Estate Tomato goes a little overboard when he says that your blogging peers are not your competition. Competition is still competition whether they are blogging or not.
However I do agree with the gist of his article in that you shouldn’t overly worry about it. Jim makes a good point about competition in general.
Competition keeps you sharp and keeps you driven.
But, most importantly, it keeps the audience interested.
Imagine running a race, by yourself.
Now imagine that same race with a few others breathing down your neck.
You run harder, they run harder, and the crowd shares in the emotion.
The rising tide of increased competition will improve your blogging along with theirs. And your combined audiences get the benefit of your improvement.
It’s a win all around. So don’t worry. Keep blogging.
Photo by: SunsetSailorWU
I totally agree. I live in Greenville,SC and I have a LOT of competition in my industry and I love it! I find it interesting that their is so much competition in my market with companies that do web design, branding, marketing, etc. but it keeps me on my toes, I’m always thinking innovative and work hard to find our niche within our industry.
linkerjpatrick, I agree. Competition does keep us on our toes.
Happened to see a post in my feed reader this afternoon talking about how Competition Makes Us Better. Worth taking a look.
Mixed emotions here.
I remember with one of my early sites, I’d found a niche that I came to own, and must admit I liked being under the radar. Having once achieved top rankings in the serps, it was easy to sit back and focus on other sites while that one mostly ran on autopilot.
But nothing lasts forever, and others started showing up and I had to get busy again. But that was good, because it forced me to get better in order to stay on top.
Since then, I’ve entered niches that are fairly competitive, meaning I’ve had some hard work to make a place.
But in the end, there’s room for several players and the competition really does raise the bar.
That’s good for customers, but it’s also good for keeping site owners sharp and focused.
Good point. I guess we could all use a bit of this tide wisdom. However, we also shouldn’t be too lax about our own vessels. Unless our own brand is worthy enough to be compared to the rising competition, we might just end up getting shipwrecked in the process. While this might sound like common sense, remember that common sense is not really so common.
j2, Sounds like everyone won as a result of competition in your case.
You’re right, Jen. We neglect our own vessel at our peril. Also if we have poor implementation to begin with then someone may very well come along, do it better, and blow us out of the water altogether too.
The online industry wouldn’t be the great force that it is today without competition. I mean sure, I wish I had a monopoly on the world’s finances but its probably never going to happen and I think competition will drive us to go further with our ideas/innovation and marketing!
It is probably important to keep up with everything.
You never know what the competition has up their sleeves!
Nice point,i think now we should conscious and serious for it.
If the competiton starts blogging, why cant you blog as well, if you have the edge and the niche over your competition, there should be nothing to be worry about. but should always keep an eye on your competition.
Hi,
I have business of real estate.I read your article and now i just fell that i should start a blogging for my business.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi,
Now i start blogging for my business.
Thanks for your post.
Not really. As long as you started before them, you should be good
blogging is the best medium for business.
I sure did. That is why I am now starting a blog that talks about my wool area rugs business. I am still new to this so my blog may look a bit raw but I am working on it.