Why Doesn’t My Idea Stand Out?

1 Problem – 3 Solutions #2

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The biggest lesson I’ve learned as a founder? There’s no single “right” way to solve a problem. Success doesn’t come from having all the answers—it comes from thinking creatively and figuring out what works.

Each week, I break down a challenge and explore three different ways to tackle it. Pick what fits, test what doesn’t, and keep moving forward.

‎ The Problem…‎‎‎‎ ‎

Why Doesn’t My Idea Stand Out?

Okay, let’s be honest. You’ve got an idea, but there’s likely a sea of similar stuff out there. So, you might be thinking, “How do I compete?” or “What makes my idea different?”

Pretty much everyone who’s ever started something has been in this exact spot.

It’s easy to feel like there’s nothing you can do to get noticed. But here’s the truth: There’s always space for one more, as long as you find your unique angle. So, here are three approaches that might help you find yours and to move forward with confidence.

‎ Solution #1‎ ‎

Build the Best Possible Thing

If you’re struggling to stand out, one approach is to focus on quality. Instead of just aiming to be good, aim to be better—build something exceptional that people can’t ignore.

But here’s the catch: If you go this route, you’ve got to deliver. If you don’t improve upon what others are doing, or you’re not first to the game, you’ll just blend in. And blending in is never a recipe for success.

Sadly, I know this first-hand. I recognize now that this is exactly what I was doing for the past eight months on YouTube. I was making videos that looked like everyone else’s—except I didn’t have the production skills to be “the best.” I was average and as a result, so was my growth.

But when this works, it really works. If you can make something exceptional, you can win. Look at any luxury brand—they offer something (that they at least claim is) better than the rest. They stand out because of their quality and/or their price.

What to do:

• Make sure your idea is truly unique. What sets it apart from everything else out there?
• Focus on perfection—get into the details and make sure your product/service is fantastic in every way.
• Lean into what makes you different—whether that’s quality, price, innovation, or even scarcity. Make it unique and reap the rewards.

When to use it: If your skills and your idea align in a way that means you’re capable of building something truly better than anyone else, this approach is for you. Just make sure you can actually deliver on that promise!

‎ Solution #2‎ ‎

Be Prolific—Just Start Creating

Sometimes, it’s not about making anything perfect. It’s about creating a lot and learning as you go. The more you create, the more you’ll discover what works and what doesn’t. That’s your edge—being prolific.

I’ve fully embraced this approach with my YouTube channel. I switched from one video a week to one video a day. Because, well, what I’m really best at is just talking and being honest with my thoughts. In just one week of switching my approach, I’ve gained more momentum than I did in the past several months combined. And there’s even more of an upside (at least for me): being prolific doesn’t just help you stand out—it helps you get better. The more you create, the more visible you become. And the faster you learn what people want and need.

What to do:

• Start creating—and don’t wait for it to be perfect. The more you “do”, the faster you’ll learn and refine your approach.
• Experiment—try different formats, price points, or approaches to see what resonates.
• Adapt quickly. Even if you’re not aiming for perfection, it’s still essential to deliver value, so constantly evaluate what’s working and adapt as you go. Eventually, you’ll have something truly amazing.

When to use it: If you’re someone who learns by doing, and you’re tired of overthinking every detail, this is the way to go. The more you create, the more you’ll discover your unique angle.

‎ Solution #3‎ ‎

Sell First—Get Buy-In Before You Build Anything

Sometimes, the smartest move is to sell first—get people to commit to your idea before you go all-in. While it’s not always an option (like I can’t ‘sell’ my video ideas before I make them), when it is, this strategy can save huge amounts of time and fast-track your idea to success. I know because I’ve actually done it before.

In my last business, we drove the other founders we knew crazy. While they were working late nights trying to sell products for $20/month, we managed to turn a couple of meetings and a very rough MVP into a commitment to pay us ~$50,000 per month from a national bank. (I guess I really am pretty good at talking…)

The key here is that we would have never had the resources to hire the team we needed or invest in the tech required if we hadn’t ‘sold first’. Sometimes, this is more of a path of necessity than convenience.

What to do:

• Create a prototype or simple version of your idea. You don’t need to have everything ready—just enough to show the value.
• Get feedback—talk to potential customers and see if people are interested.
• Sell your idea first—get commitments or pre-sales (think: Kickstarter) before you fully build it out.

When to use it: If you’re unsure whether your idea will land, or if you’re better at selling than building, this is a smart way to validate demand and only invest time and resources when you’ve got real interest.

Got a Problem?

What’s blocking your progress right now? Reply and let me know—I might break it down in a future newsletter or tackle it in a video on my ​YouTube Channel​.