Selling isn’t part of the game, selling is the game.

I remembered when I was first introduced to UPS- unique selling point or proposition. It sounded like another cliché or the courier company. I have come to understand that UPS which also will mean selling point is basically your coveted strengths and harnessed opportunities. Your selling point is what unique potential or talent you have that differentiates from the other 7 billion people on this planet. How is that even possible in this copycat culture? Yes, that is possible. There is definitely no one in the world, even twins that their looks, contacts, experience, education, background, exposure, personality, idiosyncrasies and natural talents are the exactly the same. If this be the case, then our delivery are always going to be different from one another.

What differences people notice is the uniqueness in your delivery. Your unique selling point differentiates you from your competitors, colleagues or contemporaries. Also, it is directly related to your monetary quotient. How unique and sellable you are in comparison to others determines who get paid most.

I believe one of the most life changing reflective question to query oneself is ‘what is my selling point?’ Some has to do with their brains, while others would be their body and some are just blessed to be that unique, sellable and productive. A sponsor will only embark on your project based on the uniqueness of your craft. As a manager, I do not want to employ same person as my duty officer, I want someone that complements the output of others in a unique and productive ways. As a record executive, I am not looking for the next Taylor swift or Beyoncé. I want someone that will be unique and break other markets these artists are found wanting.

The issue here is not that we do not have unique sellable crafts and proficiencies, the main issue is discovery and delivery. You can imagine a lot of great artist such as Jennifer Hudson would have been under ground if not for American Idol that gave her first nationwide platform. No one came looking for her, she applied like everyone else. To get discovered, you have to continually seek for opportunities and present your best. That said, a NBA coach is not looking for players who can dominate games only once in a season, but who can deliver consistently at a top form. That is what keeps the endorsements, money, fame, and more opportunities coming.

As a lady, when a guy asked about your selling point. Let it be more of your brains and bravery than your body. Of all women virtues that holds substance, her physical compounds is the least. As a man, when a lady asked about your selling points. Do not be quick to show ephemeral fantasy or mundane accolades. All that glitters is not gold, all she ever need is respectful, resourceful and responsible man. Profess love, provide for her and protect her. That will do, if that is not enough. She is either a demon or an alien.

How do I discover my area of strength, so to say ‘my goody bag?’ You do not need a degree in Economics to draw out the comparative analysis of what you can do better than others. Your selling point is your bridge across borders. They are your wings, your sailing crux and your weapon of warfare. Just find out what you are relatively good at and have a go at it.

Sounds easy eh! Sometimes not, ‘I know I am the next this…that but the system is against me’. Before you rant about how the whole world is against you and cannot seem to find any meaningful path in life. Put yourself out first. Show all the best things you can do best. Though it may sound crazy, thirsty, non-conventional or amateur; continue, give it your best over and over again till you hit a strike or jackpot.

What is my selling point? What is unique about me? What comes natural to me? I am trying to different shots, looking for a winner. Your selling point could be crafts not even studied in the four walls of a learning institution. I have a friend who became popular for sketching criminals on trials, another is beat box. Yours can be your presentation, intuitive insight into curling, high rise stunts, burping, tire rolling, power clapping, trash collection, assembling, name it. The goal here is to recognize, register and reproduce your unique talents consistently, then you are on top.

An average person dies at 25 but buried at 70. What does that even mean? Many people give up on their dreams at that age and just flow with the culture and the expectation from them to be mediocre while others are at rein. Don’t scratch that, show them what you got, ooh kill em!