On occasion (more often than I’d like to admit), someone says something better than I could have ever said it myself. Today is one of those days. Dang it 🙂

Seth Godin just published a blog post that really sums up how important it is to be popular. Inside your marketing, your blogging, your prospecting…everything you do to build your business on a day to day business, there might be a silent pursuit for popularity. Look for it. You want people to “get” you, don’t you? You want the masses to pour into your store or office with orders for what you’re selling. Many of us fall victim to this trap. The popularity trap.

We strive to be #1. We want to be on top. We want recognition for our hard work. We want others to see our success and envy us. We all do. As business owners, we’re competitive by nature. But these are just labels. Why not simply strive for being great? Let your greatness speak for itself. Funny thing about greatness…most people don’t “get” it. They don’t want it. They don’t appreciate it. And they certainly aren’t willing to pay a premium for it. Funny thing about popularity…these are the exact people popularity attracts. The people who don’t get it.

Greatness on the other hand, could care less about popularity. It doesn’t need accolades. It’s just awesome, whether you like it or not. Whether you “get” it or not. Greatness serves it’s customers on the highest level, and it is rewarded handsomely as a result. Greatness attracts customers who value what you do and who are more than willing to pay a premium for it. Turning your focus towards greatness requires that you turn your focus AWAY from popularity. You simply cannot pursue both simultaneously. Focus on being great. Popularity is a costly distraction.

For the real juice, read Seth’s post. That’s what got me started on this rant 🙂