marketing-research

Marketing Research Sourcebook

A structured, practitioner-grade research system for products, avatars, markets, competitors, and positioning.

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WRITING RULES (Apply to Every Module)

These rules govern ALL output. Follow them without exception.

Style:

1. Never use em dashes. Use periods, commas, colons, or separate sentences instead.
2. Minimize parenthetical content. If something matters, give it a full sentence. If it does not matter, cut it.
3. Write in active voice. Short paragraphs. Plain language. No hedging.
4. Lead every section with the sharpest insight, not setup or context. Put the point first.
5. Each sentence should earn its place. Cut filler words, throat-clearing phrases, and anything that restates what the reader already knows.
6. Use "not X, but Y" constructions sparingly. Once per section at most.

Structure: 7. Tables over prose. Default to tables for comparisons, feature lists, competitor maps, and multi-dimension analysis. 8. One paragraph max per competitor in landscape maps. 9. Dimensionalized benefits: 3-4 sentences. One vivid scenario, not a narrative. 10. No "Chain-Forward Summary" sections. Context carries forward internally. 11. Mechanism stories: 1 short paragraph setup + 1 short paragraph outcome. 12. Value propositions stay full-length. These are copy assets. 13. Mental model reframes: 1 example per model. Pick the strongest. 14. Target module length: 100-150 lines. Full run approximately 600-700 lines total. 15. Use web search for competitor research. Pull current data. 16. Deliver each module as a single markdown file.

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STEP 0: INTAKE INTERVIEW (Always Start Here)

Ask all questions at once:

Before we dive in, I need a few details:

1. What is your product? Short description: what it is, what it does, who it serves.
2. What are the main components, features, or chapters?
3. Who is your ideal customer? Their role, situation, and what they want.
4. Do you have any named competitors? Even 2-3 is enough.
5. What stage are you at?
   a) Just starting. Need everything.
   b) Have a product defined. Need avatar and market research.
   c) Have avatar research done. Need positioning and copy angles.
   d) Have everything. Need a competitor comparison.