Being Outperformed by an Inferior Product

Before anything, let’s put aside my obvious flirtations with arrogance and self-assurance.

Have you been in a situation where you know for a fact that you’ve clearly a better service or product offering, but your main competitor has been in the game for slightly longer and has a way healthier marketing budget?

I love underdog stories, I think most of us do. It’s both frustrating and motivating at the same time, tinkering with marketing and service proposition angles to see how I can raise my value that will solidly outperform the competition.

It’s great to see they’re doing well because it further validates the idea. But I did get salty when I saw a FB sponsored ad and made a comment that was both deleted and I can no longer participate. The comment questioned the quality of the service and I made a competitive suggestion of where similar results can be achieved for a lot less.

Asshole move on my part, most likely. But I felt his audience was being cheated. I was already in a similar market as he, but made a pivot on a product category that shifted as his direct competitor because I’m sure I can offer a better product.

And so I went from offering a product category I didn’t have strong feelings for, to selling $1K+ last month.

Now, I’m strongly considering in shutting down the other product categories and just focus on this one, it seems it struck a chord somewhere.

I’m also impatient.

P.S. I said I made a suggestion of finding better quality for a lot less, but I’m not challenging his product on price, in fact, my prices are higher and most recently he’s raised his prices as well just below mine so I’m low-key giddy I’m on his radar.