The state fair is on in Tampa, Florida and a television commercial is encouraging the citizenry to come out and see the entertainment, some of which appears to be a truly lamentable line-up of Elvis impersonators. Since the death of The King, being a bad Elvis impersonator has become something of a cottage industry, and I’m fascinated at the number of totally talentless people that feel called to it. Fascinated, too, that almost none of these pitiful performers grasp how easy it would be to rise to the top of the heap by doing something a little different.

If I decided to be an Elvis impersonator, I’d make use of an old theatrical costuming trick and give myself a third leg. The false leg is attached to a harness that straps around the waist. The leg then hangs down in a seemingly natural posture from the left or right side of the performer, who dresses in trousers constructed with 3 legs. The startling effect is particularly funny when the performer dances, and I can easily imagine how hysterical it would be to impersonate Elvis’ famous swivel-hips style with 3 legs.

In such a get-up, I’d be a standout, no longer just one of countless poor performers but the one and only 3-Legged Elvis.

The majority of people basically ignore one of the basic rules of marketing- “know your USP–unique selling proposition.” Simply put, your USP is the distinct feature, idea or benefit that sets you apart from your competition and makes you memorable. If I were an Elvis impersonator, my 3rd leg would be my USP. When not dreaming up marketing ploys for State Fair performers, I produce digital content. Funny pictures are part of my USP, something that sets me apart from thousands of boring old blogs and newsletters and makes me memorable.

The world of internet marketing is vast…and frequently vastly boring. Don’t let your business be lost in the sea of sameness. Why be one of a million when, with just a little imagination, you can be one IN a million.
“Thank you, thank you very much.”

Bonnie Boots publishes The Internet Wizards Magazine for people who want to make their own products and market on the internet. Get your free one-year subscription by visiting http://www.theinternetwizards.com