1. Competitor Identification

1. Ask the user who their main competitors are—direct competitors (same solution) and indirect (alternative solutions).
   • Example: "List your top 3-5 competitors: Who competes directly for your customers, and who offers alternative solutions to the same problem?"
2. Ask the user what they want to learn—messaging, channels, offers, positioning, or content strategy.
   • Example: "What do you want to understand—their messaging/positioning, which channels they use, their offers/pricing, content strategy, or ad creative?"
3. Ask the user about their competitive advantages—what do you do better that you could emphasize?
   • Example: "What are your strengths vs. competitors—better features, pricing, service, results, or something else?"
4. Ask the user about known weaknesses—where do competitors beat you or where are you vulnerable?
   • Example: "Where are you vulnerable—features they have that you don't, better brand, lower pricing, or market presence?"

2. Research Framework

Website & Positioning Analysis:

• Homepage messaging: What's their primary value prop?
• Target customer: Who are they speaking to?
• Differentiation claims: How do they position vs. alternatives?
• Pricing page: Transparency, tiers, anchoring
• Case studies/testimonials: What results do they highlight?
• CTAs: What action do they push visitors toward?

Paid Advertising Intelligence:

• Tools: Facebook Ad Library, Google Ads Transparency Center, SEMrush, SpyFu
• Ad platforms: Where are they advertising (Google, FB, LinkedIn, etc.)?
• Ad creative: Hooks, images, video themes
• Ad copy: Messaging angles, offers, CTAs
• Landing pages: Where ads send traffic, conversion elements
• Estimated spend and volume (from intel tools)

SEO & Content Strategy:

• Tools: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz
• Keywords they rank for: Identify content gaps or opportunities
• Content types: Blog frequency, topics, formats (guides, videos, tools)
• Backlink strategy: How are they building authority?
• Organic traffic estimates: Which pages drive most traffic?

Social Media Presence:

• Platforms: Where are they most active?
• Posting frequency: How often per platform?
• Content themes: Educational, promotional, entertaining?
• Engagement levels: Likes, comments, shares
• Influencer partnerships or paid promotions
• Tone and brand personality

Email Marketing:

• Sign up for their list
• Welcome sequence: How do they onboard new subscribers?
• Email frequency and content types
• Offers and promotions: What do they use to convert?
• Segmentation signals: Do they personalize based on behavior?

Partnerships & Distribution:

• Integration partnerships: Who do they integrate with?
• Affiliate program: Do they have one, what are terms?
• Reseller/channel partners: Alternative distribution
• PR and media mentions: Coverage they've earned

3. Competitive Intelligence Matrix

| Competitor | Primary Value Prop | Target Customer | Key Channels | Top Offers | Messaging Angles | Estimated Spend | Strengths | Weaknesses | | ---------- | ------------------ | --------------- | ------------ | ---------- | ---------------- | --------------- | --------- | ---------- |

Channel Mix Analysis: For each competitor, document:

• Channel priority (1-5): How heavily they invest
• Messaging per channel: Do they adapt for platform?
• Performance indicators: Engagement, frequency, reach estimates

4. Gap & Opportunity Analysis

Messaging Gaps:

• What pain points are they NOT addressing?
• Customer needs they ignore or downplay?
• Angles you can own that they're missing?

Channel Opportunities:

• Channels they're weak on or absent from?
• Underutilized platforms where you could dominate?
• Audience segments they're not targeting?

Content Gaps:

• Questions/topics they don't cover well?
• Content formats they're not using (video, interactive tools)?
• SEO keyword opportunities they haven't captured?

Offer Differentiation:

• Can you out-incentivize (better guarantee, trial, bonus)?
• Pricing positioning (premium or value play)?
• Unique packaging or bundling?

Service/Experience Advantages:

• Faster implementation or results?
• Better support or customer success?
• Community or ecosystem they lack?

5. Counter-Strategy Development

Defensive Moves:

• Address weaknesses they exploit
• Match their best offers or improve upon them
• Cover content/SEO gaps they dominate
• Protect your customers from competitive poaching

Offensive Moves:

• Double down on your unique strengths
• Attack their weak points in messaging
• Capture channels or audiences they neglect
• Out-innovate on product/features

Positioning Strategy:

• How to differentiate clearly in market?
• What category or narrative to own?
• Messaging that highlights your advantages without naming competitors?

Channel Strategy:

• Which channels to prioritize based on competitor activity and gaps?
• Where to outspend for dominance vs. find untapped opportunities?
• Content and creative themes that will stand out?

6. Monitoring & Intelligence System

Ongoing Tracking:

• Set up Google Alerts for competitor mentions
• Subscribe to competitor newsletters
• Follow their social media
• Use SEMrush/Ahrefs for monthly ranking/traffic updates
• Check ad libraries weekly for new campaigns

Quarterly Deep Dives:

• Comprehensive review of competitor strategies
• Identify shifts in positioning or messaging
• New products, features, or offers launched
• Major partnerships or fundraising news
• Update competitive intelligence matrix

Win/Loss Analysis:

• Why did you win deals vs. this competitor?
• Why did you lose deals to them?
• What objections or comparison points came up?
• Sales intelligence feeding back into marketing strategy

7. Deliverables

Competitive Intelligence Report:

• Executive summary of each main competitor
• Channel-by-channel strategy breakdown
• Messaging and positioning analysis
• Estimated marketing spend and investment areas

Opportunity Map:

• Gaps you can exploit (channels, messaging, audiences)
• Weaknesses to attack
• Your defensible advantages

Strategic Recommendations:

• Messaging refinements to differentiate
• Channel priorities based on competitive landscape
• Content and campaign ideas to stand out
• Pricing or offer adjustments

Monitoring Dashboard:

• Track key competitor metrics monthly
• Alert system for major changes
• Trend analysis over time

Present comprehensive competitive analysis with actionable intelligence, clear opportunity identification, and strategic playbook to out-market competitors.