My little guy is really into Pokemon at the moment.
He collects the cards, reads all the books, watches the tv shows and knows all of the creatures’ details.
I grew up in the 80’s, before the Pokemon craze, so I’m more of a GI Joe, He-Man and Thundercats guy.
Anyways, the other day Gray was telling me about a Pokemon called Mimikyu. At first glance, Mimikyu looks like Pikachu, the main little yellow creature that you see on all of the merchandise.
Mimikyu has the same shape and colour, and has some of the same features. But something seems off …
My son explained to me that Mimikyu is wearing a disguise to make himself look like Pikachu. Upon closer examination, you can see that he’s wearing a rag, there are holes cut out for his eyes, his face appears to be drawn with crayons and his “tail” is actually a stick.
He’s basically a cheap copy of Pikachu.
This kind of mimicry is going on in the online world, too.
A lot of coaches try to copy their favourite figures. They write like them, talk like them, dress like them and their messages are lifted directly from the people they follow.
I see it in Facebook groups all the time. One popular group was started by someone who curses like a sailor and has a very unique personality (that’s one of the reasons why he’s popular). Looking at the posts in his group, everyone tries to sound like him. They curse the same, and even use the same vocabulary.
The problem with this approach is it isn’t going to build your brand. People can see through imitation.
Those who follow my stuff know some things about me. Besides the messages that I put out there, they know I have a dry sense of humour and like to make jokes (it must be the Atlantic Canadian in me). They know that I love Star Wars, Superman, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Maple Leafs.
When I write an email, or shoot a video, I’m not trying to sound like anyone else. I’m just writing/talking the way I would in normal, every day life.
You don’t need to copy gurus to be successful in business. It sounds cliche, but you’re better off just being yourself. As Tony Bennett said; “It sounds so simple, but if you just be yourself, you’re different than anyone else”.
The October issue of the Secret Coach Club newsletter is all about how to use your own voice to get more business.
This one will be focusing on my daily email system, so if you want to get your message out with emails you’ll love it.
It goes to the printer soon, grab yours here:
