Finding Product-Market Fit

I spent the first 16 years of my career at a large company.

The largest media company in Virginia.

Owned by the same folks who founded and owned The Weather Channel.

And the majority of my time there, I was in the “incubator” environments if you will. For about 10 years, I had the incredible opportunity to launch new digital products and services for the company. From search engine marketing, to social media, to content marketing, to native advertising and an agency model.

The majority of my titles hadn’t existed before.

And I loved it.

I’ve been described as a “builder at heart”. Building brands, products, services, teams.

So when I saw that Sequoia just shared their framework for product-market fit publicly for the first time, I couldn’t wait to read it 🤓

Before I share their article and my thoughts, I want to welcome my new subscribers and thank ALL of you for allowing me space in your inbox and your journey. I appreciate you ❤️

One of my very first posts was on a topic I am super passionate about - positioning.

I shared a simple framework I use and it starts with the foundational question - what problem do you solve?

When I started reading the article on Sequoia, I was immediately all in seeing this quote:

There is a lot of advice out there for founders, entrepreneurs, marketers…

Like how to build your brand, how to define your purpose, your mission. All good stuff, absolutely. But at the core is what problem do you solve.

And I love how Sequoia’s framework leans into consumers mindsets around the problem.

So, let’s dive into their framework…

They categorize by 3 different archetypes:

1. “Hair on fire”

Like it sounds, the customers hair is on fire because their need to solve the problem is urgent.

2. “Hard fact”

You all have heard this phrase I’m sure - “It is what it is” - one of my LEAST favorite phrases!

Ugh, so defeatist, right?! Here the customer has figured they just have to live with the problem.

3. “Future vision”

This one reminds me of the Henry Ford quote regarding the first automobile - “if I would have asked people, they would have said they wanted faster horses.”

Here the solution is so visionary customers don’t know it’s an option.

Here’s a link to the framework shared by Sequoia. Note, I have no affiliation with Sequoia, just simply excited to see them sharing their framework for the first time!

So, for you, think about the problem you solve. Perhaps think about which archetype best fits.

And we can flip the script…

Apply this framework to the problem I solve and tell me…

How do you think about your challenge with marketing?

→ Is it hair on fire gotta be fixed asap?! 🔥

→ Or, is it “it is what it is” 😩

Reply back and let me know - 🔥 or 😩 ?! And of course, happy to simply chat thru.

Rooting for you!

‘Til next week 👋

Maeve