Stop Citing ‘Too Much Competition’ as an Excuse, Urges Jason Feifer

In a recent LinkedIn post, entrepreneur and author Jason Feifer tackles a common refrain that he argues is the “worst excuse” for inaction: “There’s too much competition.” Feifer, who regularly shares insights on business and creativity, contends that this mindset prevents creators, entrepreneurs, and individuals from pursuing opportunities and sharing their valuable contributions.

The Fallacy of Competition as a Barrier

Feifer challenges the notion that a crowded marketplace is a valid reason to hesitate. He points out that this fear leads to several negative outcomes:

• Creators withhold valuable insights, fearing they will simply “add to the noise.”
• Entrepreneurs postpone product launches because the market “feels crowded.”
• Individuals shy away from opportunities because they perceive others might also be interested.

According to Feifer, the real problem isn’t the competition itself, but the silence it breeds. He argues that silence is far more detrimental than any perceived market saturation.

“You know what’s actually noisy? Silence. Silence from people who could help — but don’t. Silence from solutions that never see daylight. Silence from voices that matter but never speak up.”

Focusing on Value, Not Volume

To illustrate his point, Feifer shares a personal anecdote about his email inbox. Despite receiving over 500 emails daily, he only subscribes to three newsletters. He emphasizes that these chosen newsletters didn’t succeed by trying to be just another email in a crowded inbox.

“Those three didn’t worry about being email # 501. They worried about being valuable enough to be ONE OF MY THREE.”

This, Feifer explains, is the reality for all successful brands. He uses examples like Coca-Cola, Nike, and popular restaurants, all of whom operate in highly competitive sectors. These entities don’t win by avoiding competition; they win by becoming the definitive choice for their target audience.

Shifting from Noise to Signal

Feifer urges his audience to reframe their perspective. Instead of viewing themselves or their offerings as mere “noise” in a saturated market, he advocates for positioning themselves as the “signal” that potential customers or collaborators are actively seeking.

“Stop seeing yourself as noise. Start seeing yourself as the signal others are searching for.”

By focusing on delivering unique value and understanding the specific needs of their audience, individuals and businesses can cut through the clutter and establish themselves as the obvious, indispensable choice. Feifer concludes by offering further guidance on how to achieve this distinction, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, where he suggests he has successfully applied these principles.