product, but that they probably would not. For example, if you sell hiking boots, consumers could buy dress shoes instead-but they probably would not. But dress shoes will protect your feet, just like hiking boots will.
If you are about to launch a product as unique as Segway was, then you really don't have direct competitors. You have only indirect competitors. Exhibit 3.4 offers a few examples.
For example, look at the problems Segway faced. They got great publicity by having news media people try out a segway. They showed up on the news, on morning shows, in magazines; they got millions (maybe billions!) of dollars of free advertising. But consumers, for the most part, didn't buy. Instead, Segway today are purchased mainly by security personnel at shopping centers centers and universities, and police in congested big cities.
If people aren't already buying a product that would be a direct competitor, then you have to convince people they need a product they have never thought they needed. For example, when Apple launched the iPad, they didn't have to do missionary marketing. People were already used to buying things (portable radios and tape decks) that would let them take their music with them. the iPad just made it easier.