priceofbusiness.comHow To Compete When It Feels Like Everyone’s Doing What You’re DoingYou open Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or whatever else, and there it is. Another video with the exact same aesthetic. Another new shop selling almost the same thing. Another artist is using your favorite color palette and somehow getting thousands of likes overnight. It’s enough to make anyone question, “Is there even room for one more of me out here?” Like, seriously, how can you even future-proof when these other businesses, that feel like a carbon copy are getting it all right but not you?
In the creative world, it can feel like everyone’s doing the same thing, same fonts, same vibes, same trending audio. And when the market feels packed, it’s easy to panic and start copying what’s already “working.” But here’s the truth: the magic isn’t in being louder or faster. It’s in being you, the kind of you that no one else can fake. Sure it sounds a little too generic, but this really does hold true.
Standing out doesn’t have to mean reinventing the wheel. Sometimes it just means getting clear on your niche, your values, and the quirks that make your process one-of-a-kind. Because in a world full of duplicates, originality isn't just refreshing, it's unforgettable.
Why You Need a Signature Style
You know that weird little panic that hits after posting something you actually love... and then immediately wondering if it looks too much like the last thing you shared? Been there. It’s that internal tug-of-war between wanting to be recognizable but also not wanting to feel like a one-trick pony. But honestly, creative people are constantly told to “find their style,” but then the second things start looking cohesive, it’s like, “Oh no, am I repeating myself?”
But here’s the thing: having a signature style isn’t about limiting yourself. It’s not about boxing yourself in or picking a theme song that plays on loop forever. Actually, it’s about giving people a reason to remember you. Yeah, you read that right. And in a world where everyone’s scrolling at lightning speed, being memorable is the only way to keep showing up in someone’s brain.
Your Style is Basically Your Creative Fingerprint
There are tons of talented people out there. So what makes someone stop and say, “Wait... I know this work”? Well, that’s the magic of a signature style. It’s your fingerprint, the thing that shows up in everything you do, even when you're not trying. Sure, it’s a weird comparison, but really, this couldn’t be more true.
Now, it could be the way your designs always feel a little dreamy. Or how your color palette screams moody earth tones. Or the fact that your product descriptions read like they were written by someone who’s genuinely funny (and not in a try-hard way). That’s the stuff that sticks.
But overall, when your style is clear, people start to get you. They come back because they know what vibe they’re getting. And that trust? Well, it’s half the battle in a super crowded creative market.
Repetition isn't a Red Flag, it's a Brand
Okay, this one should probably be shouted right from the rooftops! So, there’s this myth that doing similar things over and over makes the work boring. Nope. Repetition with intention isn’t laziness, it’s branding. Okay, just go ahead and think of your favorite creators, shops, or artists. They probably don’t completely reinvent themselves every three weeks. Instead, their stuff evolves, sure, but it still feels like them. That’s what keeps people hooked.
But yeah, creative consistency builds familiarity. And familiarity builds trust. So even if it feels like you’re showing up with “another version” of your usual thing, it’s probably the exact thing your audience came looking for.
It’s How You Get Noticed in a Crowd
Hands down, this is the truth: the internet is noisy. Like, it’s just way too noisy, right? Just think about it for a moment; social feeds are cluttered. New shops and creatives pop up daily, all trying to do their thing and get seen. So, standing out doesn’t mean shouting louder or doing something totally bizarre just to be different. It means building a style that becomes instantly recognizable.
That’s especially important in spaces that are extra saturated right now. Actually, go ahead and take photography, for example. Everyone and their cousin knows a photographer, and most of them are really good. But when it comes to photography business growth, the ones who are thriving aren’t just snapping pretty photos. They’re building a whole style around their work. Their edits, their angles, their client experience, it all feels cohesive. That’s what sets them apart. That’s what turns followers into bookings.
So, the right ones know how to get noticed, and yeah, it’s a part of their branding too, so you need to keep that in mind.
You’re Not Trapped, You’re Just Being Understood
If the phrase “signature style” makes your inner rebel flinch, relax. It doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever. You can still experiment, shift directions, and grow into new things. But having a recognizable thread through your work isn’t limiting; it’s what helps people actually follow along.
Without that thread, everything starts to feel like a creative identity crisis. One day, it’s soft pastels and romantic vibes. Next, it’s bold neons and sarcasm. Cool? Sure. But confusing? Well, yeah, definitely. And confused people don’t click “buy now” or “book this.”
So, just sticking to a signature vibe helps build a connection. And connection is what drives sales, bookings, and loyalty. People aren’t just buying what you make, they’re buying how it makes them feel.
How to Stop Copying Trends and Start Setting Them
Well, it’s not just about your signature style, but it’s whether you’re following trends or not (and every creative business has been super guilty about this at one point in time). Just think about this super relatable scenario for just a second; you open TikTok for “just five minutes” and suddenly it’s an hour later and your brain is full of pastel gradients, royalty-free audio, and 200 people doing the exact same thing with the exact same vibe. And somehow, they’re all getting likes. A lot of them.
So now the wheels start turning. Maybe your color palette is off. Maybe you do need to switch up your captions. Maybe it’s time to scrap the thing you actually liked making and hop on the trend train just to keep up. Well, this is where the spiral starts. And it’s where so many creative businesses lose their spark.
Because chasing trends? It might work short-term. It might get you a few clicks, some shares, and a boost in followers. But staying in that cycle? It’s exhausting. And eventually, it leads to work that looks fine, but doesn’t feel like you anymore. But really, it doesn’t work out in the long run, especially if it feels like everyone is doing what you’re doing, cause yeah, that’s what trends do!
Trends Get Old Fast
Yep, everyone’s seen what happens when a trend explodes. One person does something cool. Then a few more jump on it. Then suddenly it’s on tote bags, stickers, Instagram reels, and every other Etsy listing for the next three months. At first, it’s fresh. Then it’s overdone. And by the time most people catch up, the internet’s already moved on to something else.
Well, that’s the nature of trends. They’re loud, they’re fast, and they’re gone in a flash. Basing your business around them means constantly having to pivot, rebrand, and “keep up”, even when your heart isn’t in it. And when your creative work starts feeling like a to-do list full of trending audio clips and recycled ideas? That’s when burnout creeps in.
It’s obviously not what you want, right?
Your Weird Little Ideas are the Good Stuff
Want to know something that should probably be hammered down the most? Well, it’s probably this! Okay, so here’s what gets lost in the noise: people actually want originality. They want something new. Something they haven’t seen fifty times that day. The stuff that feels too strange or too specific? That’s usually the stuff that stands out the most.
So those weird ideas that show up at 11 pm while you’re brushing your teeth? The half-sketched concept that doesn’t match your grid? The color combo no one else is using right now? That’s probably the gold. No, really, they actually are!
Seriously, the most memorable creative work doesn’t follow rules. It trusts gut instinct. It experiments. It messes around with “what if” and doesn’t panic if the first version flops. Because eventually, the thing that feels a little out of place becomes the thing other people start copying.
People Notice Confidence More than Perfection
Sure, by all means, following trends can feel safe. They come with a built-in roadmap: do this, say this, design it like this. But copying what’s already been done doesn’t build creative confidence; it chips away at it. You’ll always be measuring yourself against someone else’s success, even when your version looks amazing. Do you really want to do that? Just do what everyone else does and never stand out?
Doing your own thing might feel awkward at first. Maybe even a little lonely. But when it clicks? It really clicks. Like it clicks pretty hard! Basically, people can tell when a creator is in their zone. The work has a vibe. It feels intentional. It feels alive. That kind of energy is magnetic.
Overall, confidence is what makes people pay attention. Not because you’re shouting or trending, but because you’re owning it.
