Who This Helps
Growth marketers who are tired of running random tests. You want to move channel metrics without guesswork. The Strategy Basics: Competitive Map course helps you build a map that shows exactly where you win and where you lose.
Mini Case
Meet Aisha. She runs growth at a SaaS startup. She had 3 channel ideas: paid search, content partnerships, and a referral program. Instead of testing all three, she built a competitive map using the Differentiation Grid from the course. She found her biggest gap was in content partnerships—competitors had 12% more share of voice there. She ran one experiment, and within 7 days, her trial signups jumped 18%. No guesswork.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Pick one channel metric you want to move—like cost per lead or conversion rate.
- List your top 3 competitors in that channel. Not every logo, just the ones who win there.
- Build a simple grid with 3 rows: where you win, where you lose, and where you tie.
- Find the biggest gap—the area where competitors have a clear advantage.
- Design one experiment to close that gap. Run it for 7 days. Measure the impact.
Avoid These Traps
- Don't analyze every competitor. Pick 3 that matter for your channel.
- Don't skip the evidence. Use real numbers, not gut feelings.
- Don't run 3 experiments at once. Focus on the highest-impact move.
- Don't forget your customer segment. Aisha used the Customer Segment Wedge from the course to avoid diluted positioning.
- Don't ignore moat signals. If a competitor has a strong moat, don't fight them head-on.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you'll have a one-page competitive map artifact. You'll know exactly which experiment to run next. And you'll stop wasting time on moves that don't move the needle. Plus, you'll feel like a strategy ninja—without the ninja costume.