Competitor POV: Why You So Obsessed With Me?
If your competitors could talk, they’d probably say: “Why you so obsessed with me?”
I can’t count how many times I’ve heard a client say:
"X competitor is doing this—why aren’t we?"
And my answer is always the same: Because their strategy isn’t your strategy.
Chasing what your competitors are doing might feel like a smart move—like a way to stay “ahead.” But in reality, it’s the fastest way to blend in, not stand out.
The brands that win aren’t the ones copying and reacting. They’re the ones focusing on what actually matters: their customers, their positioning, and their strengths.
So let’s talk about why competitor obsession is holding you back—and what to do instead.
The Problem With Competitor Obsession
It’s one thing to stay informed about your market. It’s another to let your competition dictate your every move.
Here’s why that’s a problem:
1. You’re Copying Without Context
Just because a competitor launched a TikTok campaign, started a podcast, or slashed their prices doesn’t mean it’s working.
You don’t have access to their internal data. For all you know, their “big new strategy” is actually a failed experiment.
Maybe they cut their prices because their customer retention is bad.
Maybe they’re posting on TikTok because they have no other organic traffic strategy.
Maybe their new offer isn’t even profitable.
If you copy their moves without understanding why they’re making them, you’re just following a blind blueprint.
2. You’re Playing Defense, Not Offense
If every decision is based on what a competitor just did, you’ll always be one step behind.
Instead of asking, “How do we beat them at their own game?” you should be asking, “What can we do that they aren’t even thinking about?”
Because by the time you catch up, they’ve already moved on.
3. You’re Limiting Your Own Creativity
The brands that actually lead don’t just try to do what everyone else is doing—but better.
They do something completely different.
If your only focus is matching the competition, you’re not leaving room for:
New ideas that don’t exist yet
A strategy built around your strengths, not theirs
A brand that actually stands out instead of blending in
So, Should You Ignore Your Competitors Completely? Not Exactly.
Here’s the 80/20 rule I recommend:
80% of your focus → Customers & Internal Strategy
What do your customers actually need?
Where can you improve your offer, experience, or positioning?
How do you double down on what’s already working?
20% of your focus → Market Awareness
Keep an eye on industry shifts and trends.
Look at where competitors are creating gaps so you can fill them.
Use competitor insights as a reference, not a blueprint.
Staying informed is smart—but letting competitors run your strategy isn’t.
How to Do This the Right Way
1. Look for gaps, not duplication.
Instead of copying what competitors are doing, look at what they’re not doing—that’s where your biggest opportunity is.
2. Make decisions based on customers, not competition.
Your strategy should be built around real customer needs, not whatever your competitor posted on LinkedIn last week.
3. Check in strategically, not obsessively.
Set a quarterly competitor review—not a daily refresh of their website. Track the industry, but don’t let it run your business.
Final Thought: If Your Competitors Disappeared Tomorrow, Would Your Marketing Strategy Still Make Sense?
If the answer is no, you don’t have a strategy—you have a reaction.
The brands that actually lead don’t get caught up in who’s doing what. They focus on their customers, their strengths, and their positioning—so they don’t have to worry about what anyone else is doing.
Which side are you on?
