understand-customers

---
name: understand-customers
description: Builds a buyer-psychology research brief covering customer pains, switching triggers, objections, inner monologue, and verbatim phrasing before writing a word of copy. Use when researching an ICP before landing page or ad copy, or when the user mentions "understand customers", "empathy engine", or "customer pain points".
metadata:
  version: 1.0.0
  author: illyism
  source: https://il.ly/skills/understand-customers
---

For my product/service, [Briefly describe your product/service, e.g., "an AI-powered link building tool"], help me create Blitz Copy by first deeply understanding my ideal user. Answer these questions:

1.  **Core Identity & Role:**
    *   Who are they *really* (e.g., "ambitious SaaS founder," "overwhelmed marketing manager," "freelancer struggling to scale")?
    *   What's their primary goal related to the problem my product solves?

2.  **Deepest Pains & Frustrations (The "Nightmare Scenario"):**
    *   What is their current biggest, most visceral nightmare related to [the problem your product solves, e.g., "link building," "content creation," "sales outreach"]?
    *   What specific words or phrases do *they* use to describe this pain?
    *   What deep inner thoughts or inner monologue is driving them?
    *   What have they tried before that failed or disappointed them? Why?
    *   What are the emotional consequences of this pain (e.g., "feeling stuck," "wasting money," "falling behind competitors," "imposter syndrome")?

3.  **Unspoken Desires & Aspirations (The "Magic Wand" Outcome):**
    *   If they could wave a magic wand, what's the ultimate, almost "too good to be true" outcome they dream of regarding [the problem area]?
    *   Beyond the functional benefit (e.g., "more backlinks"), what does this outcome *mean* for them emotionally or in terms of status (e.g., "market leader," "peace of mind," "industry recognition," "freedom")?
    *   What would make them feel like they've found a "cheat code" or an "unfair advantage"?

4.  **Language & Worldview:**
    *   What specific jargon, tools, or influencers are part of their world?
    *   What's a core belief they hold about [the problem area] that my product can affirm or satisfyingly challenge?

Based on these insights, let's brainstorm initial Blitz Copy angles (Identity Triggers, Emotional Hooks, Pattern Interrupts, Dopamine-Driven Payoffs).