Before You Launch, Post, or Sell…Do This First
If you’re building offers, creating content, or launching anything without market research… you’re basically guessing.
Market and competitor research isn’t just for big brands or corporate marketers. It’s for coaches, creatives, freelancers, and every service provider who wants to grow with intention—and actually stand out.
Here’s what it is, why it’s important, and how to do it (without getting overwhelmed).
What Is Market & Competitor Research?
Market research is learning about your audience—what they need, want, struggle with, and how they make decisions.
Competitor research is learning about your industry—who else is doing what you do, what’s working for them, and where the gaps are.
Both help you make smarter decisions when it comes to:
Positioning your offers
Writing content that clicks
Pricing your services
Understanding how to differentiate
Why It’s Seriously Important
Skipping research leads to:
Messaging that feels “off”
Offers that don’t convert
Endless content ideas with no direction
When you take time to research, you start making decisions from data—not just vibes.
You’ll know exactly what your dream clients are looking for
You’ll speak their language
You’ll see what makes you the better choice (and say it clearly)
How to Start Doing Market & Competitor Research
Here are simple, repeatable steps to get you started:
1. Identify Who You Actually Want to Attract
Write down:
What kind of clients you love working with
What stage of business or life they’re in
Their pain points, goals, and priorities
Look for: language they use in DMs, comments, testimonials, or inquiries.
2. Lurk Where They Hang Out
Explore:
Facebook groups
Reddit threads
YouTube comments
Podcast reviews
Testimonials on your competitors’ websites
Look for: repeated struggles, questions, and emotional triggers.
3. Make a List of 3–5 Competitors
Check their:
Website messaging
Service offerings + pricing
Content themes
Social media engagement
Reviews (especially 3-star ones—they’re gold)
Look for: gaps you can fill, positioning you can refine, or patterns that work.
4. Document What You Learn
Use a simple Notion or Google Doc to track:
Common client pain points
Competitor patterns
Differentiators
Copy or content ideas sparked by your findings
5. Use Your Research in Your Strategy
Apply what you’ve found to:
Improve your service pages
Refine your messaging
Create magnetic content
Build offers that actually solve a problem
Reminder: You Don’t Have to Copy to Stand Out
Competitor research isn’t about imitation—it’s about insight. Use what you learn to position yourself more clearly, not to become a duplicate.
Want a done-for-you way to organize your research?
Download The Thriving Business Playbook, it includes templates, systems, and strategy to help you build your business with clarity from day one.
