With 22 million more entrepreneurs in the market you are competing with 22 million more brands and noise. William Deresiewicz in the New York Times tapped this as Generation Sell.

So how do you stand out? Here are some ideas to spark differentiation, make your company more human and ignite attraction.

1. Are you interesting, interested or a colossal bore?

2. Are you funny, ironic, insightful, unashamedly bold, have an original perspective, a special skill, a unique contribution and are you brave enough to stand for it so others can jump on your bandwagon?

3. As Liz Strauss says, “Are you giving people enough reasons to love you?”

4. Are you intelligent and using it to help others or are you intelligent and pontificating (see item 1 colossal bore).

5. Are you inspiring people to reach up? Are you inspiring people to reach in? Are you inspiring people to reach out? And will you be there when they do?

6. Does your message resonate with the one pair of eyes that are reading it? Because when it all boils ..it’s you/your company and them – singular.

7. Can people see themselves in you? Have you taken them on your journey? Can they relate to your stories of success, alligators, case studies, advice and body of work?

8. Are you listening? Finding ways to listen? Opening the door so people can speak to you? Do they realize how precious they are to you? How much their opinion counts? (social media, blogs, excellent questions)

I recently bought a bottle of beer that says on the bottle I won’t like it. It’s called Arrogant Bastard Ale. They dared me to buy it. It made for a fun shopping experience. It made for a fun conversation at the cash register where the checker said he didn’t like it either. It’s going to be a moment when I open and serve it.  It’s going to be a moment when we taste it and don’t like it.  It’s “a wolf in wolf’s clothing” to quote Joseph Epstein. But the bottom line is I bought it, and even if I hate it, I’ve enjoyed it!

What makes you YOU in the market place and what can you add to this list to help others become that ONE in 22 million?