According to US Small Business Association, 99.9% of all US firms are classified as small businesses. Of the more than 33 million small businesses, 27.1 million are sole proprietorships with no staff. By 2027, it is estimated 87.5 million freelancers will make up 50.9% of the entire US workforce. Meanwhile, Bank of America revealed a 3.8% increase in customers receiving direct deposits from gig platforms in March 2024, surpassing the previous peak in 2022.

These figures show that more and more people are moving away from traditional employment to pursue other means of income generation so that they can live on their own terms with more freedom. These are ordinary individuals who make money from their skills and passion in their own way. I call them everyday entrepreneurs.

For those just starting out, you may be asking yourself, “How can you compete in a market saturated with products and solutions for every imaginable problem? And how can you thrive and survive in such a competitive environment?”

My approach is to focus on one super country and develop the necessary expertise to deeply understand and meet their specific needs. I built Fud, a social fueling community and app, to specifically help first-time startups and aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. Currently, about 80% of Fud's users are beginners.

The problem is that many successful entrepreneurs today flaunt their achievements on social media without authenticity sharing their struggles to achieve that level of success. This trend turns their content into mere entertainment and without knowing their full story, can discourage, mislead or overwhelm beginners.

That's why at Fud, we promote tRANSPARENCY and honesty. We recognize the challenges and hard work of everyday entrepreneurs in starting and managing a business. At the same time, we believe that with the right mindset, strong support system and the right tools, achieving your goals is achievable.

Connected: 3 ways to stand out from the competition

Less is more profitable

The key to standing out is to focus your efforts on one large niche deliberately avoiding other niches. This may seem counterintuitive. You might be thinking, “Isn't it more profitable to attract every potential customer out there? Wouldn't you catch more fish by casting a wider net?”

Well, not everyone will be interested in what you have to offer, and that's okay. Your focus is on find the right market whose needs align with your brand or who share your values. By targeting this smaller segment, you can provide more personalized service, create a stronger emotional connection and better meet their expectations, driving their more profitable behaviors.

A study published in Harvard Business Review found that customers who are fully engaged with a brand are 52% more valuable than those who are merely highly satisfied. Therefore, building relationships, gaining the trust of a small community and aligning with their motivations results in more engaged and profitable customers than serving a general audience.

Start by choosing a small, specific market segment that really piques your interest. It has to be something you're really passionate about, because that passion will keep you going, especially when the going gets tough.

For me, it's celebrating the everyday venture. I have always been intrigued and inspired by people who have found interesting and unusual ways to make money and succeed. It doesn't have to be a seven-figure business or a worldwide phenomenon. Master your craft and excel at anything hustle enough to be recognized and to be an inspiration to others.

Connected: How to stand out with confidence and reach your potential

Invest in yourself

To master your chosen niche, you must learn the skills that matter, use tools that work and maximize your resources. Don't worry if you are not yet an expert or have limited funds. Your willingness to learn and grow will lead you on the right path.

Fortunately, the wide range of online content on different topics and in different forms makes learning more accessible and affordable for the average person. Now you can attend live seminars, enroll in online courses and join virtual communities master new skills and earn money from them immediately. Having said that, you also need to be able to distinguish reliable information from fraudulent content to avoid scams.

Become a pain reliever

Dive into your super niche to understand what their pain is and find a solution for it. I do this by engaging with the Fud community, personally interviewing new business owners, shamers and parent entrepreneurs.

No two trips are exactly the same, but listening to their experiences, I notice common patterns. They share similar problems, questions and concerns. Most of them would have liked to have a mentor when they started to show them the ropes, motivate them and hold them accountable, which would have saved them precious time and resources.

With Fud, users gain access to simple step-by-step guides, tips and resources from mentors, experts and other peers within the community. It is this sharing of knowledge and insight that fosters growth, support and collaboration within the group.

Connected: 4 Simple Tips to Stand Out in the Crowded Startup World

Share your journey

As a beginner, you can choose to document your journey and share it with your audience in real time. Posting your experience on social media and letting others know about your struggles and how you overcame them can connect you more deeply to your super country and inspire them to start their own journey.

It doesn't matter if you're into content creation, digital marketing, gig work, freelancing or starting your own business. Whatever you're going through, there's an audience that can relate to it and wants to learn from you. Just make sure you're creating relevant and original content.

When you focus all your energy and resources on mastering your craft and understanding your super niche market, you eventually become the best at it. You become better at identifying and solving problems, anticipating potential challenges, and communicating effectively with your customers. Therefore, you offer special value and personalized service to your audience, becoming your sustainable competitive advantage.