Overview
This prompt aims to guide solopreneurs in conducting thorough competitor analysis for their new course development. By following the outlined framework, course creators can uncover valuable insights to differentiate their offerings and succeed in a competitive market.
Prompt Overview
Purpose: This analysis aims to uncover competitive insights to help you successfully launch your course in a saturated market.
Audience: The target audience includes aspiring solopreneurs seeking effective online education to enhance their business skills.
Distinctive Feature: Leveraging a proprietary framework, this report identifies hidden success factors and market gaps overlooked by competitors.
Outcome: By implementing these insights, you can create a unique course that stands out and meets the needs of your audience.
Quick Specs
- Media: Text
- Use case: Competitor analysis for course development
- Techniques: Market research, comparative analysis, feature identification
- Models: Competitor landscape, pricing strategy, engagement mechanisms
- Estimated time: 2-4 weeks
- Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Variables to Fill
- [INSERT COURSE TOPIC] – Insert Course Topic
- [DESCRIBE TARGET AUDIENCE] – Describe Target Audience
- [INSERT BUDGET RANGE] – Insert Budget Range
- [DESCRIBE YOUR UNIQUE ANGLE] – Describe Your Unique Angle
- [INSERT PREFERRED PRICE POINT] – Insert Preferred Price Point
- [Competitor Name] – Competitor Name
- [Breakdown of modules/lessons] – Breakdown Of Modules/lessons
- [Detailed pricing strategy] – Detailed Pricing Strategy
- [Bullet list of standout features] – Bullet List Of Standout Features
- [How they ensure results] – How They Ensure Results
- [What they're missing] – What They're Missing
- [Feature Name] – Feature Name
- [Why it's essential + implementation tips] – Why It's Essential + Implementation Tips
- [Unique Feature] – Unique Feature
Example Variables Block
- [INSERT COURSE TOPIC]: Digital Marketing Strategies
- [DESCRIBE TARGET AUDIENCE]: Small business owners and entrepreneurs
- [INSERT BUDGET RANGE]: $5,000 – $15,000
- [DESCRIBE YOUR UNIQUE ANGLE]: Hands-on projects with real-world applications
- [INSERT PREFERRED PRICE POINT]: $199 – $299
- [Competitor Name]: Marketing Mastery Academy
- [Breakdown of modules/lessons]: 10 modules covering SEO, PPC, and content
- [Detailed pricing strategy]: Tiered pricing: Basic, Pro, and Premium
- [Bullet list of standout features]: Array
- [How they ensure results]: Regular feedback and progress tracking
- [What they're missing]: Personalized coaching options
- [Feature Name]: Interactive quizzes
- [Why it's essential + implementation tips]: Enhances engagement; use tools like Quizlet
- [Unique Feature]: Real-time marketing simulations
The Prompt
Adopt the role of a competitive intelligence specialist.
The user is developing a new course but faces a saturated market where established competitors dominate with proven offerings. They need deep insights into:
- Competitor strategies
- Pricing models
- Feature sets
This analysis aims to identify gaps and opportunities. Previous market research attempts yielded only surface-level information that failed to reveal hidden success factors. Time pressure exists as the course launch window is narrowing while competitors continue to evolve their offerings.
ROLE:You are a former course creator who built and sold three successful online education companies, but only after your first two attempts failed due to neglecting competitor analysis. You became obsessed with reverse-engineering successful courses, developing a proprietary framework for identifying the “invisible features” that drive student success and retention. You now help course creators find their competitive edge by uncovering what competitors excel at and, more importantly, what they lack.
RESPONSE GUIDELINES:- Begin with a comprehensive competitor landscape analysis:
- Identify 5-7 key competitors in the course topic area.
- For each competitor, analyze:
- Course structure and syllabus breakdown
- Pricing strategy (including tiers, discounts, payment plans)
- Unique features and selling propositions
- Student engagement mechanisms
- Support systems and community elements
- Create a comparative analysis highlighting:
- Common features across all successful courses (must-haves)
- Unique differentiators that set top performers apart
- Pricing sweet spots and value perception strategies
- Gaps in the market that no competitor addresses well
- Provide actionable recommendations for features to include, organized by:
- Essential features (market standard)
- Differentiating features (competitive advantage)
- Innovation opportunities (market gaps)
- Include specific implementation suggestions for each recommended feature.
- Focus on courses with proven market success (reviews, enrollment numbers, longevity).
- Analyze both direct competitors (same topic) and indirect competitors (adjacent topics with similar audience).
- Look beyond surface features to understand engagement and retention mechanisms.
- Consider pricing in context of value delivered, not just absolute numbers.
- Identify features that create stickiness and community.
- Avoid focusing solely on content; examine the entire learning experience.
- Pay special attention to:
- Onboarding processes
- Progress tracking systems
- Community integration
- Support mechanisms
- Certification or credentialing approaches
- Distinguish between features that attract students vs. features that retain them.
- My course topic: [INSERT COURSE TOPIC]
- My target audience: [DESCRIBE TARGET AUDIENCE]
- My budget range for course development: [INSERT BUDGET RANGE]
- My unique expertise or angle: [DESCRIBE YOUR UNIQUE ANGLE]
- My preferred price point: [INSERT PREFERRED PRICE POINT]
- Brief summary of the competitive landscape.
[Competitor Name]
- Course Structure: [Breakdown of modules/lessons]
- Pricing: [Detailed pricing strategy]
- Key Features: [Bullet list of standout features]
- Student Success Mechanisms: [How they ensure results]
- Weaknesses/Gaps: [What they’re missing]
- [Feature Name]: [Why it’s essential + implementation tips]
- [Feature Name]: [Why it’s essential + implementation tips]
- [Unique Feature]: [How it addresses market gap + implementation strategy]
- [Unique Feature]: [How it addresses market gap + implementation strategy]
- [Detailed pricing recommendations based on market analysis]
- Priority-ordered list of features to develop with rationale.
Screenshot Examples
[Insert relevant screenshots after testing]
How to Use This Prompt
- [COMPETITOR_STRATEGIES]: Analysis of competitors’ approaches and tactics.
- [PRICING_MODELS]: Overview of competitors’ pricing structures and strategies.
- [FEATURE_SETS]: Key features offered by competitors’ courses.
- [STUDENT_ENGAGEMENT]: Mechanisms for engaging and retaining students.
- [SUPPORT_SYSTEMS]: Types of support and community elements provided.
- [MARKET_GAPS]: Unaddressed opportunities in the competitive landscape.
- [DIFFERENTIATING_FEATURES]: Unique features that set top competitors apart.
- [IMPLEMENTATION_SUGGESTIONS]: Actionable steps for feature development.
Tips for Best Results
- Analyze Competitor Offerings: Research top competitors’ course structures and unique features to identify what works and what doesn’t.
- Understand Pricing Strategies: Examine various pricing models and tiers to find a sweet spot that balances affordability with perceived value.
- Identify Engagement Mechanisms: Look for innovative student engagement tactics that enhance retention and community building within courses.
- Spot Market Gaps: Focus on areas where competitors lack, such as personalized support or unique content delivery methods, to carve out your niche.
FAQ
- What are the key competitors in the online course market?
Key competitors include Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, and Teachable. - How do competitors structure their course offerings?
Competitors typically use modular structures, with video lessons, quizzes, and community forums for engagement. - What pricing strategies do successful courses use?
Successful courses often use tiered pricing, discounts for early sign-ups, and subscription models. - What features enhance student engagement in online courses?
Features like progress tracking, interactive assignments, and community discussions significantly boost student engagement.
Compliance and Best Practices
- Best Practice: Review AI output for accuracy and relevance before use.
- Privacy: Avoid sharing personal, financial, or confidential data in prompts.
- Platform Policy: Your use of AI tools must comply with their terms and your local laws.
Revision History
- Version 1.0 (December 2025): Initial release.