EP54: Why you can't copy competitors
Tue Dec 09 2025
Copying competitors can feel like the fastest path to growth, but more often than not, it backfires.
In this episode of In Demand, Asia and Kim break down why copying other SaaS companies rarely works and what to do instead. They explore the difference between copying and inspiration, why context determines whether a strategy will succeed, and how to translate what you admire in another business into something that actually works for your own stage, market, and buyer.
If you’ve ever looked at a competitor or admired brand and thought “we should do that too,” this episode will help you think more strategically.
Got a question you’d like Asia to unpack on the podcast? Record a voicemail here.
Links:
DemandMaven
Switchyards Atlanta
Chapters
(00:01:00) - Copying competitors (and why it's not always a good idea).(00:02:30) - Why copying website design, branding elements, or campaign strategy is usually harmless.(00:07:35) - How to take inspiration vs. just copying.(00:10:00) - Where copying almost always fails: copying big strategic bets without context.(00:17:00) - Case study: Why so many SaaS founders tried to copy Intercom and why it didn't work for most people.(00:24:20) - What's the best way to take inspiration, keep track of it, but translate it into your own context.(00:26:00) - Another example: Why copying Notion’s community and ambassador model failed for a founder.(00:29:30) - The marathon analogy and how to adapt inspiration to your own stage of growth.
More
Copying competitors can feel like the fastest path to growth, but more often than not, it backfires. In this episode of In Demand, Asia and Kim break down why copying other SaaS companies rarely works and what to do instead. They explore the difference between copying and inspiration, why context determines whether a strategy will succeed, and how to translate what you admire in another business into something that actually works for your own stage, market, and buyer. If you’ve ever looked at a competitor or admired brand and thought “we should do that too,” this episode will help you think more strategically. Got a question you’d like Asia to unpack on the podcast? Record a voicemail here. Links: DemandMaven Switchyards Atlanta Chapters (00:01:00) - Copying competitors (and why it's not always a good idea).(00:02:30) - Why copying website design, branding elements, or campaign strategy is usually harmless.(00:07:35) - How to take inspiration vs. just copying.(00:10:00) - Where copying almost always fails: copying big strategic bets without context.(00:17:00) - Case study: Why so many SaaS founders tried to copy Intercom and why it didn't work for most people.(00:24:20) - What's the best way to take inspiration, keep track of it, but translate it into your own context.(00:26:00) - Another example: Why copying Notion’s community and ambassador model failed for a founder.(00:29:30) - The marathon analogy and how to adapt inspiration to your own stage of growth.