Another superb post Danny,

Your ability to consistently produce such essential content is amazing.

I especially like “your product is your response to competition. Anything else is just poor form.”

A great point and an extremely valuable one too!

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Great post Danny. One of the core teachings in media training is never to bash your competitors. Understand the features and benefits of your product or service and use those attributes to set your product apart. This should go for any marketing tactic.

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RT @DannyBrown Surprise – Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work! http://bit.ly/dV4MX

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Wise words from @dannybrown — your product is your competitive response, there is no need to attack your competitors! http://ow.ly/klhZ

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RT @DannyBrown Surprise – Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work! | danny brown http://bit.ly/dV4MX (mentioning @andinarvaez!)

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RT @nanpalmero: RT @DannyBrown Surprise – Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work! | danny brown http://bit.ly/dV4MX

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Surprise – Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work! | danny brown http://bit.ly/dV4MX

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RT @nanpalmero: RT @DannyBrown Surprise – Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work! | danny brown http://bit.ly/dV4MX

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As always, wise words from you, Danny! Spending time ripping on the competition just makes you look desperate AND takes away the time you could be using to perfect your own product or service. In fact, I can think of someone who could have stood to read this before trashing someone else in a blog entry today …

This is really interesting and I completely agree – but the competitors name is often injected into the conversation by the buyer. From framing where you are in the market: “Ah! so, you're like xyz?” to “how do you compare to y” or the really lazy question “who are your main competitors”. Do you smile sweetly and insist on saying nothing?

Thanks Jim, appreciate it fella. I think that was the key point that came over from the majority of the responses – if you're product is so cool, then it doesn't really matter what your competitors do, you'll still shine. And that's not something that you can really argue with…

I think you can still compare without the putting down. Maybe go with, “Well, they're pretty good here but this is where we still lead the field.” It's not disrespectful; it's not putting anyone's achievements down; yet it's still saying, “We're the guys to beat.”

And unless the competitors product can prove otherwise, then all you're doing is telling the truth.

Great post Danny. Too many people get wrapped up in the idea that they need to a defensive stance or aggressively criticize the competition. In reality, like you wisely said, your product is your defense. Focusing on what you offer, rather than what others are offering (besides the obvious competitive research), is just a better way of doing business. Groovy stuff

Disrespecting your competitors has another unintended consequence: it will bring attention to them they wouldn't have otherwise had.

Is that an absolute, Danny? If a company in Paris visited your blog and opted to contact you with a PR project–and assuming your plate was empty and you could take on the client–would you, or would you consider recommending a European competitor?

RT @DannyBrown Surprise – Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work! | danny brown http://bit.ly/dV4MX

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I would have to vehemently agree. Your time is better spent developing your product instead of disrespecting your competitors.

And if a competitor stole your product, you're still better off developing your product instead of disrespecting your competitors.

However, sometimes you just need to call a spade a spade.

From @DannyBrown: Why Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work http://bit.ly/y3OCS

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Always take the high rd Rt @MarketerBlog @DannyBrown Surprise – Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work! | danny brown http://bit.ly/dV4MX

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Makes me think about the MAC vs. PC ads, both digging at each other rather than really showcasing the products and what they do best. Even if you're right, that self-promoting bashing just sounds bad, can be a turnoff. If you build the better mousetrap, the comparisons should take care of themselves.

Such a good post, thanks.

Should you slam the competition or let your product/service do the talking? @dannybrown raises interesting questions: http://bit.ly/wTDzg

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There are times when you need to call out on facts, but I think that can still be done with a level of respect without resorting to petty catcalls?

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@wpdude Also a bit unnecessary. Hey ho http://bit.ly/GQLsN

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I agree. Resorting to petty cat calls is both immature and disrespectful…

…But when you receive such a catcall, the best way to deal with it would be to listen to this priceless wisdom from Leo Tolstoy:

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

Great post! It is so true that companies – including non-profits – can thrive by focusing on our core competency, improving our offerings, and keeping the focus on our own business. (Minding our own business?) Otherwise, customers/clients wonder whether we care about them or our competitors. It's impossible to win when we take our eye off our own game to watch someone else's.

Great post from @dannybrown – How Disrespecting Competitors Doesn’t Work! http://bit.ly/Jtwhg

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My company has this problem with a competitor. We knew their business and recognized the weaknesses. Our challenge was rise above their online and very public libelous attacks. We provide excellent service and are very professional. We let our company, our professionalism, and our great customer service speak for itself. We must be doing something right because they copy almost all of our ideas. It's good to be the leader, and we stick to doing what's right for our customers. We find it's best to rise above the mud slinging. Funny thing is the customers DO notice and we are often chosen over the competition because of it.