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Go beyond features. Brainstorm ad concepts by creating a three-column table: the user's practical problem (e.g., data is wrong), the resulting personal problem (e.g., I look stupid in meetings), and the product feature that solves it.
The most effective demo directly connects the 3-5 biggest problems uncovered in discovery to 3-5 specific features that solve them. Avoid a feature dump of "cool" but irrelevant functions. Show only what matters to their pain, making the solution feel tailored and impactful.
An ad focused only on a practical business issue is boring, while one focused only on personal feelings lacks substance. The most powerful ads explicitly link the two, showing how a work problem (a payroll error) causes a personal one (getting yelled at).
The founder of Woofsy was marketing "mental enrichment games for dogs" (a feature). Advisors suggested reframing it as "10 minutes to a calmer dog" (a solution). Leading with the customer's problem is more effective, especially for novel products.
When you market a solution (e.g., 'discipline'), customers may judge or resist it. Instead, market the specific problem they experience (e.g., 'procrastination'). This signal cuts through the noise, captures the attention of your ideal customer, and makes them receptive to your solution.
If you're unsure what problems to ask about in discovery, start with your product's key benefits. The inverse of a benefit is a problem. If you "save time," the problem is "wasting time." Then, dig into the specific activities causing that waste.
Data suggests 80% of B2B ads are ineffective because they are just product marketing in disguise, listing features and data. Truly effective B2B creative must first appeal to the human heart and mind, even for complex, million-dollar purchases.
Avoid feature-dumping. For each problem uncovered in discovery, state the problem, remind them of its negative consequence, explain how your product solves it, and then articulate what that means for their desired business outcome. This structure ensures every part of your presentation is relevant and impactful.
Prospects don't care about product features in a vacuum. To capture interest, first describe a specific, frustrating problem they likely face. Only after establishing the pain should you introduce your product as the solution, making its value immediately apparent.
Instead of leading with features, effective tech marketing starts with deep empathy for the user's specific problem, like a clerk asking if a customer needs to hang a picture on drywall or brick. The story then positions the product as the tailored solution to that unique challenge.
A counterintuitive marketing strategy is to focus on owning the customer's problem rather than your product's features. Clearly articulating the problem builds trust and credibility, leading prospects to assume your solution is the right one without a feature-deep dive.