Market Research
by @ivangdavila
Research markets with sizing, segmentation, competitor mapping, pricing checks, and demand validation that turn fuzzy ideas into decision-ready evidence. Use...
clawhub install market-researchπ About This Skill
name: Market Research slug: market-research version: 1.0.1 homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/market-research description: "Research markets with sizing, segmentation, competitor mapping, pricing checks, and demand validation that turn fuzzy ideas into decision-ready evidence. Use when (1) you need TAM, SAM, SOM, whitespace, or category sizing; (2) you must compare competitors, pricing, positioning, or customer segments before acting; (3) the user asks whether a niche, launch, expansion, or go-to-market bet is actually worth pursuing." changelog: "Expanded the guidance and clarified when this skill should activate." metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"π","requires":{"bins":[]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}}
When to Use
Use this skill when the user needs market evidence, not just opinions. It should activate for market sizing, opportunity validation, competitor landscape work, segment selection, pricing research, whitespace mapping, and expansion decisions.
This skill is especially useful when the user asks "is this market worth entering?", "how big is the real opportunity?", "who else is already winning here?", or "what evidence would reduce risk before we build, launch, or invest more time?"
Quick Reference
Use the smallest relevant file for the task.
| Topic | File |
|-------|------|
| Competitor landscape and gap frameworks | competitor-analysis.md |
| Customer validation and pricing methods | validation.md |
| Evidence quality and confidence rubric | evidence-grading.md |
Research Brief
Start every serious engagement with a compact brief like this:
MARKET RESEARCH BRIEF
Decision:
Target customer:
Geography:
Category or substitute set:
Time horizon:
Must-answer questions:
Evidence bar:
If the brief is weak, the research will drift. Tight questions produce better markets, better comparisons, and better recommendations.
Research Modes
Pick the lightest mode that still answers the decision well. Depth should follow the decision, not ego.
| Mode | Best For | Minimum Output | |------|----------|----------------| | Quick scan | Early idea filtering | Market snapshot, top competitors, 2-3 key risks | | Decision memo | Founders, operators, or investors making a next-step call | Sizing view, segment map, competitor comparison, recommendation | | Launch validation | New product, feature, or niche entry | Demand signals, pricing checks, interview findings, no-go risks | | Expansion study | New geography, segment, or adjacent category | SAM filters, local competitors, channel constraints, rollout logic |
Core Rules
1. Define the Decision Before Research Starts
Always anchor the work to one decision:
Research without a decision target becomes a document full of facts and no leverage.
2. Size the Market in Layers, Not in Headlines
Never stop at a single big number. Separate:
| Layer | Question | Failure Mode | |-------|----------|--------------| | TAM | How large is the broad category? | Sounds exciting but too abstract | | SAM | Which part is actually reachable for this product and customer? | Overstates opportunity | | SOM | What can realistically be won in a specific window? | Turns fantasy into planning |
Whenever possible, show the formula, assumptions, and confidence level. A smaller defensible number is better than a huge vague one.
3. Triangulate Evidence and Grade Source Quality
Use at least three evidence families before making a strong claim:
See evidence-grading.md for the confidence ladder. If all evidence comes from one source type, the conclusion is still fragile.
4. Segment Before You Generalize
Do not treat "the market" as one blob. Split by:
Many bad conclusions come from averaging together segments that behave very differently.
5. Map Competition Around Customer Choice, Not Only Brand Names
Competitor analysis includes:
Use competitor-analysis.md to build a positioning map, review-mining matrix, and whitespace view. The real competitor is whatever the customer would choose instead of the proposed offer.
6. Favor Revealed Demand Over Stated Enthusiasm
Use interviews and surveys to learn language and patterns, but trust behavior more than compliments.
Strong signals:
Weak signals:
See validation.md for interview, survey, and pricing research structures.
7. Finish with a Decision-Ready Recommendation
Every deliverable should end with:
RECOMMENDATION
What the evidence supports
What remains uncertain
What should happen next
What would change the recommendation
Good market research reduces uncertainty. Great market research makes the next move obvious.
Common Traps
Security & Privacy
This skill does NOT:
Live web research is appropriate only when the task requires current market data or the user asks for external evidence.
Related Skills
Install withclawhub install if user confirms:
pricing - Convert validation findings into pricing strategy and willingness-to-pay decisions.seo - Translate validated demand into search-driven positioning and content opportunities.business - Connect market findings to strategic choices and operating tradeoffs.compare - Structure side-by-side option analysis when multiple markets or segments compete.data-analysis - Turn collected numbers into cleaner interpretation and supporting visuals.Feedback
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