5 Ways to Think About Your Market (so you don’t get headaches or have your product stolen)
The Secret to Selling Your NanoProducts™ in Competitive Markets
Hey there,
If you’ve been following our NanoProducts™ series, you’ve probably already brainstormed, created, or even launched a few amazing products.
First off, let me say: Well done.
Creating something valuable takes courage, clarity, and commitment.
But here’s the thing: building a product is only the beginning.
Once it’s out there, the market takes over.
People will compare, question, and sometimes copy what you’ve worked so hard to create.
That’s the reality of being in a competitive market.
Last Thursday, a friend of mine, Liza Chuma (founder of Wellbiz), sent me this image. It’s from way back. I guess she must have been revisiting her archives to have found it. LOL!
It reminded me of the noise of this Black Friday season—the endless shouting of offers and deals.
It’s the kind of chaos that makes you wonder: How can I make my product stand out without losing my sanity?
Which brings me to the concept you see in the image above: The 5 Levels of Market Sophistication by Eugene Schwartz.
It’s a framework designed to help you protect your product, differentiate yourself, and build something that’s not only profitable but also uncopyable.
And here’s the best part: it’s perfect for where we are now.
If you’ve just finished creating a NanoProduct™, the next logical step is to position and evolve it using this framework.
If you want to know how, simply keep reading. But if you’re already as rich as you want, leave this newsletter at this spot.
Heheheheh….
1. CLAIM: Be the Pioneer
This is where every great product starts—introducing something new that the market didn’t know it needed.
When you launched your NanoProduct™, you were stepping into the Claim stage.
Your goal here is to present your product as the first of its kind.
You’re not competing yet—you’re educating.
You’re shaping how your audience thinks about the problem and showing them why your solution matters.
Think about how Netflix introduced streaming.
Before them, “movie night” meant renting DVDs.
Netflix didn’t compete—they changed the way people consumed entertainment.
Your move:
Frame your NanoProduct™ as the answer to a problem no one else is addressing. Use bold, simple messaging to make your claim clear.
Example: “Introducing the first-ever 7-Day Wellness Routine designed for busy professionals.”
A category-design insight: When you’re claiming something new, you’re not just launching a product—you’re shaping the future.
You’re defining a new category where you set the rules.
To do this, use clear, powerful language to make your audience see the world differently.
Here’s a shift for you: Don’t just sell your NanoProduct™ as better. Sell it as different.
2. AMPLIFY: Outbid the Competition
Once your NanoProduct™ gains traction, copycats will show up.
It’s inevitable.
I’ve personally experienced it multiple times.
Suddenly, you’re no longer the only option in the market.
This is where Amplify comes in.
Your job now is to outshine the competition.
This doesn’t mean being the loudest—it means being the clearest.
You educate your audience on why your product is the best choice.
For example, let’s say you’ve launched a Research Roadmap for medical professionals.
At this stage, you might highlight:
How your roadmap is backed by years of experience.
Why your framework simplifies research in ways no competitor can match.
Your move:
Use testimonials, comparisons, or unique features to stand out.
Example: “Unlike others, our Research Roadmap includes AI-powered tools to save you hours on literature reviews.”
A mindset shift: Amplification isn’t about adding noise—it’s about raising the standard.
3. MECHANISM: Reveal Your Unique Method
Here’s where most solopreneurs struggle.
Without a unique mechanism, your product risks being commoditized.
When people fully understand what you do but can find it elsewhere, price becomes the deciding factor—and that’s a race to the bottom.
The Mechanism stage is about making your product uncopyable.
This is where your methodology comes in.
Think of it as your “secret sauce.”
It’s not just what you do, but how you do it that makes you different.
For example, if your NanoProduct™ is a coaching toolkit, tie every tool to your proprietary framework:
“This toolkit is based on my 5C Clarity Framework™, which has helped over 100 clients achieve breakthroughs in less than 30 minutes a day.”
Your move:
Develop a proprietary framework or method behind your product. I’ve been shouting this for long. If you don’t know how, read this article.
Teach your audience how your methodology works—and why it’s the key to their success.
Example: “Our solar Christmas light uses patented DualSolarTech™ for continuous charging in any weather.” (I had to use this example as my solar lights stopped working yesterday when it rained. Hahah…)
A practical tip: Mention your framework in everything you create—emails, content, videos. This conditions your audience to associate your product with your method.
Here’s a mindset shift: With a unique mechanism, you’re not just selling a solution—you’re selling the system behind it.
4. ESCALATE: Make It Easier, Quicker, Simpler
At this stage, your audience already understands your product’s value. What they want now is speed and simplicity.
For example, if you’ve launched a Notion template library, your next step might be creating video walkthroughs or automation tools to make the templates even easier to use.
Your move:
Streamline your product’s usability. Identify pain points and remove them.
Example: “Charge your device in 30 minutes or less—without lifting a finger.”
A NanoProduct™ insight: If you’re coaching or teaching, consider using tools like AI to make things faster for your clients.
I personally use AI tools to simplify product creation processes.
Here’s a mindset shift: Escalation is about giving your audience what they want—effortlessly.
5. IDENTITY: Sell Exclusivity
Finally, we reach the highest level.
At this stage, your NanoProduct™ isn’t just a product—it’s a lifestyle, a statement, an identity.
People buy it because they see themselves in it.
Think about brands like Apple or Patagonia.
Their customers aren’t just buying phones or jackets—they’re buying into a vision of who they are (or want to be).
For example, if your NanoProduct™ is a devotional guide, you might position it like this:
“Join a community of faith leaders transforming lives with tools that inspire and empower.”
Your move:
Build a community or lifestyle around your NanoProduct™. Use storytelling to connect emotionally with your audience.
Example: “Our SolarMaster Pro isn’t just gear—it’s for adventurers who redefine the outdoors.”
A concept worth noting: At this stage, focus on your Superconsumers—the 10% of your audience who drive 30-70% of your sales. They’re deeply invested in your category and will guide you toward new opportunities.
Here’s a mindset shift: Your product isn’t the star anymore—your audience is.
Tying It All Together: The Next Step in Your Journey
Creating NanoProducts™ was just the beginning.
The 5 Levels of Market Sophistication are the next step—helping you position, protect, and evolve what you’ve built.
Start by auditing where your product currently stands.
Are you claiming something new?
Amplifying your message?
Or building an identity-driven tribe?
Wherever you are, remember this: success isn’t about shouting louder. Even though shouting sometimes may be helpful.
It’s really about being clearer, smarter, and more aligned with your audience’s needs.
So, what level are you operating at—and where do you want to go next?
Reply and let me know…
Live courageously,
Dayo Samuel 💯