Everyone says you need an original idea to build a successful startup. Be unique. Create something the world has never seen. However, this advice is killing more startups than bad execution ever could. Furthermore, the most successful companies often start by copying what already works.
This sounds like heresy in the startup world. Nevertheless, copying smart ideas and improving them slightly often leads to bigger success than trying to invent something completely new. Moreover, it’s much safer and faster than starting from scratch.
The Originality Trap
The pressure to be original creates a dangerous trap for founders. They spend months searching for the perfect unique idea. Additionally, they reject good opportunities because someone else is already doing something similar. As a result, they either never start or they start with ideas that are too weird for the market.
Think about how many founders you know who are still “working on their idea.” They’ve been planning for years but never launched anything. Furthermore, they dismiss proven business models because they want to be different. Therefore, they stay stuck in the planning phase forever.
The originality trap also leads to solutions nobody wants. When you create something completely new, you have to educate the entire market about why they need it. Moreover, you have to change people’s behavior and habits. This takes years and costs enormous amounts of money.
Most importantly, original ideas are usually original for a reason. If nobody has tried something before, there might be good reasons why it doesn’t work. Therefore, you end up learning expensive lessons that others have already learned.
The Power of Smart Copying
Smart copying isn’t about stealing ideas. Instead, it’s about taking proven concepts and making them better. Furthermore, it’s about applying successful models to new markets or customer segments. Additionally, it’s about improving existing solutions in meaningful ways.
Consider some of the biggest success stories in business. Facebook wasn’t the first social network. Moreover, Google wasn’t the first search engine. Additionally, Apple didn’t invent the smartphone. However, each of these companies took existing ideas and executed them better than anyone else.
The key is understanding what makes something successful and then improving on it. Rather than reinventing the wheel, you make the wheel better. Therefore, you can skip the expensive process of proving that people want wheels in the first place.
Smart copying also reduces risk significantly. When you copy a proven model, you know there’s already demand for that type of solution. Furthermore, you can learn from the mistakes of the original company. Additionally, you can see what customers complain about and fix those problems.
The Three Types of Strategic Copying
Market Expansion Copying
This involves taking a successful idea from one market and applying it to another. For example, Uber started in San Francisco but expanded globally by copying their own model in new cities. Moreover, many successful companies take American business models and adapt them for other countries.
The key is finding markets where the original solution doesn’t exist yet. Furthermore, you need to understand local differences and adapt accordingly. Additionally, you should move quickly before the original company expands to your target market.
This approach works because you’re not competing directly with the original. Instead, you’re serving customers who can’t access the original solution. Therefore, you can establish yourself before facing direct competition.
Feature Improvement Copying
This strategy involves taking an existing product and making it significantly better in one or two areas. Rather than building everything from scratch, you focus on fixing the biggest problems with current solutions.
For instance, Slack took the concept of team messaging and made it much more user-friendly than existing enterprise tools. Moreover, they focused on integrations and design while keeping the core functionality similar. Additionally, they targeted smaller teams that were underserved by complex enterprise solutions.
The advantage here is that you can focus your resources on the improvements that matter most. Furthermore, you don’t waste time on features that already work well. Therefore, you can launch faster and with a clearer value proposition.
Platform Shifting Copying
This involves taking a successful offline business model and moving it online, or vice versa. Additionally, it can mean taking a desktop solution and making it mobile-first. Moreover, it might involve taking a B2B solution and adapting it for consumers.
Netflix started by copying the video rental business model but shifted it to mail delivery. Later, they shifted again to streaming. Furthermore, many successful apps take traditional services and make them more convenient through technology.
The opportunity here comes from changing technology and user behavior. When new platforms emerge, there’s usually a window to recreate successful models for the new environment. Therefore, timing becomes more important than pure originality.
The Execution Excellence Framework
When you copy strategically, execution becomes everything. Since you’re not competing on uniqueness, you must compete on quality. Furthermore, you need to understand exactly why the original succeeded and how you can do it better.
Start by studying your chosen model intensively. Use the product extensively. Moreover, read every review and complaint you can find. Additionally, talk to current customers about what they love and hate. This research reveals improvement opportunities.
Next, identify the 2-3 most important areas where you can significantly improve the experience. Don’t try to improve everything at once. Instead, focus on the changes that will make the biggest difference to customers. Therefore, you can launch with clear advantages over the original.
Finally, execute your improvements flawlessly. Since you’re copying a proven model, customers will compare you directly to the original. Moreover, they’ll expect you to be better since you’re newer. Additionally, you need to justify why they should switch from something that already works.
The Sustainable Advantage Connection
Smart copying aligns perfectly with building sustainable businesses. Instead of burning out trying to create something completely new, you can focus your energy on execution and improvement. Building a sustainable startup often means working smarter rather than harder, which is exactly what strategic copying enables.
When you copy proven models, you reduce the risk of product-market fit issues. Furthermore, you can focus on operational excellence instead of market education. Therefore, you’re more likely to build a profitable business quickly.
Real Examples of Copycat Success
Samwer brothers built a billion-dollar business by copying successful American startups for European markets. They took proven models like eBay and Amazon and launched European versions. Moreover, they moved quickly and adapted to local preferences. Additionally, they often sold their companies back to the original American companies for huge profits.
Similarly, many successful SaaS companies start by copying existing enterprise software but making it simpler and cheaper. They target small businesses that can’t afford the complex original solutions. Furthermore, they focus on ease of use instead of comprehensive features.
These examples show that copying can be extremely profitable when done strategically. Moreover, it often leads to faster growth than trying to create something entirely new. Additionally, it reduces the risk of building something nobody wants.
Tools for Strategic Copying
Several tools can help you identify and analyze successful models to copy. SimilarWeb shows you traffic and engagement data for websites. Moreover, App Annie provides insights into mobile app performance and user behavior.
Use Ahrefs to analyze competitors’ marketing strategies and content. Additionally, G2 and Capterra show you customer reviews and complaints about existing solutions. Furthermore, Product Hunt helps you discover new products and see what features people appreciate.
The key is using these tools to understand not just what companies are doing, but why they’re successful. Moreover, look for patterns across multiple successful companies in the same space. Therefore, you can identify the core elements that make business models work.
Your Copycat Action Plan
Stop searching for the perfect original idea. Instead, look for successful businesses that you could improve or adapt. Furthermore, focus on markets or customer segments that are underserved by existing solutions.
Choose one successful model and study it intensively. Talk to their customers and understand their pain points. Moreover, identify 2-3 areas where you could significantly improve the experience. Additionally, make sure you have the skills and resources to execute those improvements.
Launch quickly with your improvements and gather feedback immediately. Rather than trying to perfect everything, focus on proving your improvements matter to customers. Therefore, you can iterate based on real data instead of assumptions.
Remember, originality is overrated. Execution is everything. Furthermore, copying smart ideas and improving them is often the fastest path to startup success. Don’t let the pressure to be unique stop you from building something valuable.
