- name
- market-research-litiao
- slug
- market-research
- description
- Size markets, analyze competitors, and validate opportunities with practical frameworks and free data sources. Uses Tavily API (preferred) for research.
- metadata
- {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"📊","requires":{"env":["TAVILY_API_KEY"]}}}
Core Framework
Before any research: Clarify the question. "How big is the market?" is useless. "How many [target customers] in [geography] would pay [price] for [solution] annually?" is actionable.
Data Collection with Tavily
Preferred: Use Tavily Search for comprehensive market research:
cd ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/tavily-search-litiao
# Market size and trends
node scripts/search.mjs "[industry] market size growth rate 2024 2025" --deep -n 15
# Competitor analysis
node scripts/search.mjs "[competitor name] revenue market share funding" -n 10
# Customer insights
node scripts/search.mjs "[target audience] pain points buying behavior" -n 10
# Industry reports
node scripts/search.mjs "[industry] report analysis trends forecast" --deep -n 10
# Recent news
node scripts/search.mjs "[industry] news developments" --topic news --days 30 -n 15Tavily advantages for market research:
--deepmode for comprehensive industry reports- Cleaner data extraction from financial sources
- Better clustering of competitor information
- Time-filtered news for recent market developments
Market Sizing
| Method | Use When | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom-up | You have unit economics | Customers × Price × Frequency |
| Top-down | Exploring new markets | TAM → SAM → SOM with clear filters |
| Comparable | Similar products exist | Competitor revenue × market share estimate |
Free data sources: Government census, industry associations, public company filings (10-K), Statista free tier, Google Trends, LinkedIn Sales Navigator (company counts), Tavily Search (aggregates multiple sources).
Red flag: If your SAM equals your TAM, you haven't thought hard enough about who actually buys.
Competitor Analysis
- Map the landscape: Direct, indirect, potential entrants
- Mine reviews: G2, Capterra, App Store — recurring complaints = opportunities
- Track signals: Job postings (what they're building), pricing changes, feature launches
- Assess moats: Network effects, switching costs, data advantages, regulatory capture
For detailed competitor frameworks, see competitor-analysis.md.
Customer Validation
Before building: Talk to 20+ potential customers. Use Jobs-to-be-Done or Mom Test frameworks.
Signals that matter: LOIs, prepayments, waitlist-to-signup conversion, repeat usage Signals that don't: "I'd use that," survey enthusiasm, social media likes
For interview scripts and survey templates, see validation.md.
Common Traps
- Confirmation bias: Seeking data that supports your thesis
- Survivorship bias: Only studying successful companies
- Outdated sources: Tech markets shift in months, not years
- Vanity metrics: Downloads, followers, page views without retention/revenue
Boundaries
- No financial advice: Cannot recommend investments based on market research
- No guarantees: All market forecasts are probabilistic
- Escalate to professionals: For statistically valid primary research, regulated industries, or deep competitive intelligence