Let's face it: There are probably hundreds of thousands of businesses already online. So, is it really possible to offer unique value in your online business? Probably not. But, that's actually the wrong question, and this is where a lot of gurus get it wrong.

How often have you heard some self-proclaimed expert come along and tell you that you have to offer unique value - that you have to differentiate yourself enough from everyone else who has a business online? And you sit there thinking that you have no idea how to do that.

I can tell you that I've heard it the same assertion and read it a lot. And I, too, have wondered how to do it. But I realized not long ago that this is all nonsense. There are only so many ways to differentiate yourself from a competitor. So obviously this is not the way to approach the problem. So what is?

Actually, it's not quite so complicated once you ask the right question, and that's the key.

The wrong question is "How do I offer unique value?" Or to be more precise, "How can I be different from everyone else?" The right question, instead, is "What can I do to make what I offer better than my competitors?" How can I offer more value than my competitors?

And, of course, the bar is always being raised. But, if you offer a better product or service, then you'll be different, but for all of the right reasons.

And it gets better. You're not competing with the hundreds of thousands of businesses online. You're not even competing with all of the businesses in your niche? Why? Because your prospects won't be able to see all of them in the time he or she has available to search the Web, never mind see them side-by-side. That means that as long as they can find you, you'll will have the opportunity to present your products or services without others encroaching on what you have to say.

A lot of online business people, through the incorrect advice that's floating around out there, worry more about offering multiple bonuses, for example, or a similar product with a few less features for less money than they do about creating quality. In other words, they attempt to make themselves different from their competitors by either offering a lot of extra free stuff, which often are products no one wants anyway, or by making less value available to their customers.

Unique Faberge Eggs

Faberge Eggs have always been special to me. I’ve been searching them out at art auctions since I was in my early twenties. I did a term paper on the Faberge Company and their history of making eggs for the Russian Tsars between 1885 and 1917.

The first Faberge Egg that I ever found at an art auction was actually quite by chance. The Faberge Egg was not one of the advertised items and was actually a bottle topper. I instantly fell in love with it and took it home from the art auction for one hundred dollars.

I saw an advertisement for a tropical Faberge Egg from a collection St. Petersburg. It was set to be up for sale at an art auction in New York City. I knew that I was going to be unable to purchase it, but I wanted to see it in person and at least put in one of the lower bids.

The tropical Faberge Egg at that art auction in New York City ended up selling for over six thousand dollars. That is out of my price range, but I was happy just to have been in the same room with this masterpiece. The eggs themselves are just exciting to be near.

The first Faberge Egg was made in 1885. I know that it will never turn up in an art auction, but hopefully I will see it someday in an exhibit. The first one was commissioned by Tsar Alexander III and was given to his wife as an Easter present. The surprise inside the egg was a golden hen in a golden yolk. The hen was wearing a tiny crown with a ruby hanging inside.

The antique Russian Faberge Egg that I found at an art auction recently was so detailed. The silver enamel egg has rubies and eagles and is marked with Faberge hallmarks. I was able to win this egg because I was bidding with someone else’s money. The best eggs always end up with the richest people.

The piece that I want in my collection is a genuine Lillies of the Valley Faberge Egg. I found one at an art auction I went to ten years ago. I was unable to buy the one I saw, because I didn’t have the money at the time. I’ve been saving for the time that I see another one.

The Lillies of the Valley Faberge Egg is covered with pearls and pale pink enamel. The egg is on a stand that has legs of matte green-gold leaves with rose dewdrops. The gold-stemmed lilies of the valley have green enamelled leaves and pearl flowers. I will look for this egg at every art auction I ever attend.

This Faberge Egg is delightful. It is surmounted by an Imperial crown of rose crystals. There is a pearl knob that reveals the surprise of this egg. The surprise is portrait miniatures of Czar Nicholas II and his two oldest daughters. The portraits are framed in rose crystals and backed with gold panels. I have heard a rumor that one will be at an art auction next year in Miami.

The last art auction I attended I purchased a Faberge Egg called the Imperial Clover Egg. It was for my personal collection and I won it for under a thousand dollars. I felt like it was quite a steal at that price.

The Imperial Clover Faberge Egg was originally made with a four leaf clover inside of it that had portraits of the four daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra. The portraits went missing during the Russian Revolution. The egg that I bought at the art auction had a stem of clovers standing upright. Two clovers in green enamel and the third, a four leaf clover, was done in diamonds. The diamond four leaf clover is a pin that can be worn.