Make sure you're solving an actual problem

Jason Cohen (founder of WP Engine) dropped a gem: if you can’t clearly say what problem your product solves, maybe you don’t actually know.

Marketing analysis

Your customer is distracted, busy, and bombarded with messages. You have seconds to make them think, “Oh yes, that’s me.” That means your pitch has to be clear, sharp, and rooted in a real, painful problem.

Why it works

• Clarity builds trust.
• People pay for pain relief, not features.
• Simple language cuts through noise.
• A crisp explanation signals product-market fit.

Examples

• Slack: “Where work happens.”
• Loom: “Record quick videos to explain things.”
• Calendly: “Schedule meetings without the back-and-forth.”
• Mint: “See all your finances in one place.”
• Uber: “Tap a button, get a ride.”