Competitive Positioning Map Generator
Market ResearchadvancedClaude 3.5 Sonnet or GPT-4o. Claude excels at nuanced competitive analysis and strategic reasoning, while GPT-4o provides faster processing for large competitor datasets. Both handle complex multi-dimensional analysis well. For visual output preferences, specify your model choice in the prompt.
When to Use This Prompt
Use this prompt when developing annual marketing strategy, planning a repositioning initiative, or entering a new market segment. It's especially valuable during competitive analysis phases, when launching new products, or when your current positioning feels stale or misaligned with market opportunities.
The Prompt
Create a detailed competitive positioning map for my [INDUSTRY] market. I need a strategic analysis that will help my team understand where we stand relative to competitors and identify white space opportunities.
## Market Context
- My company: [YOUR_COMPANY_NAME]
- Our primary offering: [PRODUCT/SERVICE_DESCRIPTION]
- Target market segment: [TARGET_AUDIENCE]
- Geographic focus: [GEOGRAPHY]
- Time period for analysis: [TIMEFRAME, e.g., "last 18 months"]
## Competitors to Analyze
Include these [NUMBER] competitors in the map:
1. [COMPETITOR_1_NAME]
2. [COMPETITOR_2_NAME]
3. [COMPETITOR_3_NAME]
4. [COMPETITOR_4_NAME]
5. [COMPETITOR_5_NAME]
## Positioning Dimensions
Create a 2x2 positioning map using these axes:
- X-axis: [DIMENSION_1, e.g., "Price Point (Budget to Premium)"]
- Y-axis: [DIMENSION_2, e.g., "Feature Complexity (Simple to Advanced)"]
## Analysis Requirements
1. **Competitor Positioning**: Place each competitor on the map with brief justification (2-3 sentences per competitor) explaining their position based on market perception, pricing strategy, feature set, and marketing messaging.
2. **Our Current Position**: Clearly indicate where [YOUR_COMPANY_NAME] currently sits on the map and explain the rationale.
3. **Market Gaps & Opportunities**: Identify 3-4 white space areas on the map that are underserved or unoccupied. For each gap, explain:
- Why it's underserved
- Potential customer segments that could be attracted
- Competitive advantages we could leverage
- Risks or barriers to entering that space
4. **Positioning Recommendations**: Provide 2-3 strategic positioning options for [YOUR_COMPANY_NAME], including:
- Recommended movement on the map (if any)
- Key messaging pillars to support that position
- Competitive advantages to emphasize
- Potential challenges and mitigation strategies
5. **Market Trends**: Note any emerging trends that could shift competitor positions or create new opportunities within the next 12-24 months.
## Output Format
Present the analysis in this structure:
- Executive summary (150 words)
- Detailed positioning map description with ASCII or text-based visualization
- Individual competitor profiles
- White space opportunity analysis
- Strategic recommendations with implementation considerations
- Risk assessment for recommended positioning
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Tips for Best Results
- 1.Include 5-7 competitors for meaningful map analysis. Too few limits insights; too many creates visual clutter. Ensure competitors are genuinely comparable in your market segment.
- 2.Choose positioning dimensions that directly impact customer buying decisions. Avoid generic axes like 'quality' or 'innovation'—use specific, measurable dimensions like pricing, implementation time, or feature depth.
- 3.Request ASCII visualization or text-based descriptions rather than asking for image generation. AI text models excel at detailed positioning narratives that humans can sketch themselves.
- 4.Add a 'positioning shift timeline' to recommendations. Ask the AI when and how to move your position—immediate repositioning risks alienating existing customers, while gradual shifts allow market education.
Example Output
## Executive Summary
Acme Software currently occupies the "Premium Feature-Rich" quadrant, competing directly with established players like Salesforce and HubSpot. However, significant white space exists in the "Mid-Market Simplicity" segment—businesses seeking enterprise-grade capabilities without overwhelming complexity. Our recommendation is a strategic shift toward this underserved position, leveraging our faster implementation time and superior customer support as differentiators.
## Positioning Map Analysis
**X-Axis: Price Point (Budget ← → Premium)**
**Y-Axis: Feature Complexity (Simple ← → Advanced)**
**Competitor Positions:**
1. **Salesforce** (Premium/Advanced): Market leader with comprehensive feature set. Positioned as the enterprise standard but criticized for steep learning curve and implementation costs. Strong brand equity but high switching costs create vulnerability with mid-market buyers.
2. **HubSpot** (Premium/Moderate): Emphasizes ease-of-use and integrated platform. Growing rapidly by targeting SMBs graduating to enterprise needs. Strong inbound marketing positioning and community engagement.
3. **Pipedrive** (Mid-Premium/Simple): Focused on sales teams with visual pipeline management. Gaining traction with smaller sales organizations seeking simplicity without sacrificing power.
4. **Zoho CRM** (Budget/Moderate): Aggressive pricing strategy with surprising feature depth. Attracts price-sensitive buyers and international markets. Perception challenges around brand prestige.
5. **Acme Software** (Premium/Advanced): Currently positioned alongside Salesforce but with smaller market share and brand recognition. Strong technical capabilities but messaging gets lost in crowded premium segment.
## White Space Opportunities
**Opportunity 1: Mid-Market Simplicity (Mid-Premium/Simple)**
- Underserved by: Salesforce (too complex), Zoho (brand perception)
- Target: 50-500 person companies seeking growth without complexity
- Advantage: Faster onboarding, dedicated support, intuitive interface
- Risk: Requires product simplification; may cannibalize existing customers
**Opportunity 2: Industry-Specific Solutions (Premium/Moderate)**
- Underserved by: Generic platforms lacking vertical expertise
- Target: Financial services, healthcare, manufacturing sectors
- Advantage: Pre-built workflows, compliance features, industry terminology
- Risk: Requires significant R&D investment and vertical expertise
## Strategic Recommendations
**Recommended Position: Mid-Market Simplicity Leader**
Shift messaging to emphasize "Enterprise Power, Mid-Market Simplicity." Develop case studies featuring 100-300 person companies. Invest in onboarding experience and customer success programs. This positions us as the "Goldilocks" solution—more powerful than Pipedrive, simpler than Salesforce.
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