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It’s a new year, and with it comes new strategies, new technologies, and inevitably…new competitions. Gone are the days when you stay on your side of town and the competition stays on the other. The Internet has eliminated sides and created one giant sandbox in which everyone has to play together.

Instead of seeing this as a bothersome nuisance, start looking at it as a blessing in disguise. You no longer have to “mystery shop” in your competition’s store – it’s all out in the open and online!

You now have the opportunity to see what your competition is doing, when they are doing it, how they are doing it and who they are doing it with…so use this to your advantage!

Sneaky? I think not. Staying on top of the competition is just good business. The Internet is public domain, after all, and eyes are everywhere!

Let this be a caution as well. Not only are your eyes on your competition; your competition’s eyes are on you. Perhaps even more important, your potential clients and customers have eyes on you, too.

As social media blogger Erin Bury says, “Don’t say anything online that you wouldn’t want plastered on a billboard with your face on it.”

Where do you start?
•  Follow your competition on Twitter.
•  Like their pages on Facebook.
•  Connect with them on LinkedIn
•  Read and comment on their posts
•  Consider what they are doing and then think of ways you can do it differently
•  Be respectful always

NEVER, EVER, EVER refer to your competition in a negative way online. Instead, do the opposite! And if you’re put off by something they have done – UNPLUG before you have a chance to post something you shouldn’t!

Social media has made it into a level playing field out there, and truly there is enough success for everyone. So, when you see your competition online – be grateful. They’re helping you play your best game!

Submitted by Frances Leary
Find her at: www.wiredflare.com,
frances@wiredflare.com