Who This Helps
This is for growth marketers tired of presenting spreadsheets that get nods, not decisions. The Strategy Basics: Competitive Map course gives you the visual tool to align your team and secure resources. It turns abstract data into a clear battle plan everyone can see.
Mini Case
Sam, a growth marketer, needed budget for a new content push. Her usual data deck got a 'we'll review it.' She built a simple competitive map, plotting 5 key rivals on two axes: content depth vs. social engagement. It visually showed a wide-open space for deep, engaging guides. She presented the map, pointed to the gap, and got her $15K budget approved in one meeting. The map made the opportunity impossible to ignore.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- List your 3-5 real competitors. Not aspirational ones, the ones actually taking your customers.
- Pick two clear comparison axes. Think 'price sensitivity' vs. 'feature richness' or 'brand prestige' vs. 'purchase convenience.' Keep it simple.
- Plot each competitor on your map. Use a simple whiteboard or slide. A scatter plot works perfectly.
- Find the empty space. This is your strategic opportunity. Is there a quadrant no one owns? That's your story.
- Frame your 'ask' around that space. Need budget for SEO? Show how it lets you own the 'high-quality, high-consideration' quadrant.
Avoid These Traps
- Don't use more than two axes. A 3D map is confusing, not clever.
- Don't plot yourself yet. Map the landscape first, then find your spot.
- Avoid vanity metrics. Use axes that directly relate to customer decisions.
- Don't make it perfect. A hand-drawn map in a meeting is more engaging than a polished, delayed deck.
- Never present the map without a clear 'so what' recommendation. The map shows the gap; you must propose how to fill it.
Your Win by Friday
Your mission is to stop talking about data and start showing the story. Grab three sticky notes. Label two as your axes. Use the others as competitors. Sketch your map in 10 minutes. See the gap? Good. Now you have the core of your next stakeholder presentation. It’s like a treasure map, but the X marks the budget you’re about to unlock.