How to Build Your Online Presence Without Bashing Your Competition

Are you a hater? Do you often feel jealous of your competitors or tempted to copy them? If the answer is yes, then you’re in luck today. I’m here to teach you how to ditch that hate and create your unique strategy.

Over the past few weeks, my startup, Granimals, has seen a surge in haters on our social media posts. Interestingly, many of these negative comments have come from fellow physiotherapists. Their issues usually revolve around their disagreement with the perspectives our team of doctors shared.

I’m not the kind of person who tears others down or engages in internet comment section battles. So, I started asking myself: Why all the nastiness?

And here’s what I found. After taking a closer look at their LinkedIn and Instagram profiles, it became clear that they, too, were trying to build their online presence by sharing their perspectives with their audience. In simple terms, Granimals pose a direct competition or threat to them, and tearing us down feels like an easier path to positive brand development than investing in their journey and growth.

But let’s be real: nobody wins by tearing down the competition. Building trust online and establishing a positive brand development strategy is much more effective than throwing stones at others. Before I dive into how to do this, here’s a quick intro about Granimals.

Granimals is a healthcare brand specializing in online injury rehabilitation and pain management. We are committed to delivering effective, tried-and-tested solutions to our clients and strive to keep our online community informed with insightful content created by our team of extremely talented professionals. We aim to be a positive force in the healthcare community, building relationships based on trust, expertise, and shared values and goals.

So, let's get to the real deal now. How do you build your online presence without bashing your competition?

Lesson 1: Tearing Others Down is Never a Useful Business Strategy.

Think about it. Have you ever seen Colgate go into the Crest comment section to trash them? No right? They focus on what makes them unique and how to serve their audience best. Negative tactics are not only unbecoming; they are also a waste of energy and can seriously damage your reputation. Focus on your unique capabilities, your strengths, & your audience. That’s where the magic happens.

Lesson 2: Your Differentiation is Your Strategy.

You are unique, and so is your competitor. Attempting to copy them is like shooting yourself in the foot because the moment you do that, you leave your core values behind. Differentiation is the single most important factor affecting buying behavior. There’s a reason why certain messaging and branding resonate with some people and not others. 

Take a look at classic menswear brands like Brooks Brothers & Canali. They promote being a gentleman, power dressing, and wearing suits and ties. XSuit also sells suits, but there’s a fundamental difference. While classic brands like Brooks Brothers or Canali use some of the finest threads in the world, such as silk and cashmere, XSuits are made of viscose and other materials.

But you don’t see XSuits hating on classic suit brands or vice versa. Why is that? Because their values are different, their business models are different, and their target audiences are different. One costs $4,000, and the other costs $500. They’ve each carved out a unique niche for themselves.

If you feel threatened by a competitor, ask yourself:

• What do they sell?

• What is their story?

• Who do they sell it to?

• What is their value proposition?

• How can I differentiate myself from the above to create my unique, almost unfair advantage?

Lesson 3: Don’t Be an Ahole to Strangers.

Ask yourself, “Is that the best use of my energy and time in my one and only life?” It makes you look weak and petty rather than solid & confident. If you’re spending your days trying to drag others down, you’re wasting time you could use to build yourself up.

Final Takeaway:

Building a business is a creative process. Your creativity will often be tested, requiring you to pivot and adapt in ways you had never imagined. Embrace it. I promise you you’ll never regret practicing innovative thinking. The best way to build your online presence is by focusing on positive brand development, staying true to your unique values, and continuously looking for ways to serve your audience better.

Remember, innovation thrives in a space of positivity, not negativity. So stop tearing others down and start building trust online, one authentic, creative step at a time.