How to Use Perspective AI for Market Entry & Expansion Strategy - Use Cases | Docs

You're considering expanding into new markets, but the data is conflicting. Market research reports show opportunity, but you're unsure about real customer demand. Competitive intelligence is fragmented. You need to make a strategic decision with incomplete information and high stakes.

Perspective AI transforms market entry decisions from educated guesses into data-driven strategy by conducting AI-powered interviews with potential customers, industry experts, existing competitors' customers, and strategic partners—revealing true market opportunity, competitive dynamics, and optimal go-to-market approaches.

What You'll Accomplish

By the end of this guide, you'll have:

Validated market opportunity based on real customer needs and willingness to pay
Competitive landscape insights from actual market participants and customers
Go-to-market strategy informed by buyer behavior and channel preferences
Risk assessment with clear success factors and potential obstacles identified

Step 1: Define Your Research Question

Start your market entry research:

Go to getperspective.ai/signup and create your account
Click "Create New Conversation"
Define your primary research question, such as:
- "Should we enter this new market/segment, and what's the optimal approach for successful expansion?"
- "What's the real market opportunity and competitive landscape for our solution in [target market]?"
- "How should we adapt our product and go-to-market strategy for this new market segment?"

Perspective AI will automatically generate a research plan which includes:

Research type (Exploratory, Discovery, etc.)
Detailed research description
Interview goals and objectives
Target participant profile
Initial research plan

Step 2: Refine Your Research Plan

Review the auto-generated research plan:

Perspective AI creates a comprehensive research plan including:

Goals: 3 specific objectives (e.g., "Assess market demand and customer willingness to pay for our solution") - you can define additional goals in the refinement step
Target participants: Stakeholder demographics across the target market ecosystem
Core questions: Foundation questions that ensure consistent market entry data collection

Customize by adding mandatory questions (we recommend up to 3, but you can define more):

"What are the biggest unsolved problems in your [target market/industry] that companies like ours could address?"
"How do companies in your market typically evaluate and purchase solutions like what we're considering offering?"
"What would need to be true about a new solution for you to consider switching from your current approach?"
"Who are the key players in this market, and what are their strengths and weaknesses from your perspective?"
"If we entered this market, what would differentiate us and make us successful versus existing alternatives?"

💡 Pro tip: Focus on 2-3 mandatory questions that uncover genuine market needs, competitive dynamics, and success factors rather than just confirming your existing assumptions.

Step 3: Customize the Participant Experience

Set up your research settings:

Greeting & Context:

Conversation Title: "Market Research: Understanding [Target Market] Needs and Opportunities"
Welcome Message: "We're researching the [target market/industry] to better understand current challenges, solutions, and opportunities. Your perspective as someone active in this market would provide valuable insights. This AI-guided conversation helps us understand market dynamics from an insider's view."
Researcher Info: Add your name, title (Market Research, Strategic Planning, etc.), and brief bio

Participant Experience:

End-of-interview CTA: "Interested in learning about solutions we develop for this market? Stay updated on our research findings" + sign-up link
Auto-send thank you email: Enable to maintain professional relationships
Require sign-in: Optional—consider anonymity for competitive intelligence vs. follow-up needs
Access level: Keep as "Account" (visible to your team only)

Step 4: Invite Your Target Participants

Identify ideal participants across market stakeholders:

Potential customers: Target buyers who would use your solution in the new market
Industry experts: Consultants, analysts, or thought leaders active in the target market
Competitor customers: Users of existing solutions in the target market
Channel partners: Distributors, resellers, or integrators who could facilitate market entry
Market incumbents: People working at companies already serving this market
Adjacent customers: Current customers who might expand into the target market

Choose your outreach method:

Link Sharing (Most common):

Copy the unique conversation link
Send via LinkedIn, email, or industry network connections
Position as market research rather than sales prospecting

Email Integration:

Use built-in email invitations
Send directly from Perspective AI platform

Sample invitation message:

"Hi [Name], I'm conducting research on the [target market/industry] to understand current challenges and solution landscape. Your experience in this market would provide valuable insights. This AI-guided conversation takes 10-15 minutes and helps map market opportunities and needs. Would you be willing to share your perspective on market dynamics? [insert link]"

🎯 Response rate tips:

Emphasize market research benefit rather than company-specific goals
Leverage industry connections and warm introductions when possible
Consider offering research findings or market insights as reciprocal value
Use professional networks like LinkedIn for broader reach

Step 5: Let Perspective AI Conduct the Interviews

What happens next:

Participants click the link and start conversations on their own time
Perspective AI conducts natural, conversational interviews
Each conversation adapts based on participant responses about market dynamics and opportunities
All market insights are automatically recorded and organized by participant type

Typical interview flow:

Market landscape and current solution assessment
Problem identification and pain point exploration
Competitive dynamics and player evaluation
Buying process and decision criteria discussion
Market opportunity and success factor identification
Thank you and research update opt-in

⏱️ Timeline: Most participants complete interviews within 48-72 hours, with detailed insights due to the strategic nature of the topic.

Step 6: Analyze Your Market Entry Data

Once interviews are complete, dive into analysis:

Start with Magic Summary:

Get instant overview of market opportunities, competitive landscape, and success factors
Identify common market needs and solution gaps
See patterns in buying behavior and decision criteria across participant types

Ask market entry strategy questions:

"What are the most significant market opportunities and unmet needs identified?"
"How do potential customers describe their current solutions and pain points?"
"What competitive advantages and disadvantages do existing market players have?"
"What factors would determine success vs. failure for a new market entrant?"
"How do buying processes and decision criteria work in this target market?"

Generate strategic insights:

"Assess market attractiveness based on opportunity size, competition, and barriers to entry"
"Identify optimal customer segments and use cases for initial market entry"
"Map the competitive landscape with strengths, weaknesses, and positioning opportunities"
"Create go-to-market recommendations based on buyer behavior and channel preferences"
"Prioritize success factors and risk mitigation strategies for market entry"

Advanced market analysis prompts:

"Compare market entry approaches: direct sales vs. partnerships vs. channel strategies"
"Identify regulatory, cultural, or operational barriers specific to this market"
"Forecast market size and revenue potential based on customer willingness to pay"
"Recommend product adaptations or new features needed for market success"

Step 7: Build Your Market Entry Strategy

Create comprehensive strategic recommendations:

For Executive Leadership:

Market entry decision framework with clear go/no-go criteria
Investment requirements and ROI projections based on market feedback
Risk assessment and mitigation strategies for identified market challenges
Strategic timeline and milestone recommendations for market entry execution

For Product Teams:

Product-market fit requirements and adaptation needs for target market
Feature prioritization based on market-specific customer needs
Competitive differentiation opportunities identified through market research
Pricing strategy recommendations based on market willingness to pay

For Go-to-Market Teams:

Customer acquisition strategy tailored to target market buying behavior
Channel strategy and partnership recommendations based on market preferences
Marketing positioning and messaging that resonates with target market needs
Sales approach and process adaptations for new market dynamics

For Business Development:

Strategic partnership opportunities identified through market research
Channel partner criteria and approach strategies
Competitive response strategies for anticipated market reactions
Market expansion sequencing and prioritization recommendations

Real-World Example

Company: B2B SaaS platform considering expansion from SMB to enterprise market

Research Question: "Should we expand into the enterprise market, and what's required for successful entry?"

Participants: 47 interviews across enterprise buyers (18), industry experts (12), competitor customers (10), and channel partners (7)

Key Market Entry Findings:

Market opportunity validated: 73% of enterprise buyers expressed frustration with current solutions
Compliance gap identified: SOC 2 and enterprise security requirements were non-negotiable for 89% of buyers
Buying process complexity: Enterprise sales cycles averaged 9-12 months vs. 2-3 weeks for SMB
Champion identification critical: 94% of successful enterprise deals required internal champion development
Integration requirements: API capabilities and existing tool integrations mentioned by 81% as essential
Pricing expectations: Enterprise buyers expected 10-20x SMB pricing but wanted proportional value/support

Competitive Landscape Insights:

Incumbent weakness: Large competitors were "too complex" and "poor support" according to 67% of users
Startup opportunity: Mid-market gap existed between simple SMB tools and complex enterprise solutions
Differentiation factors: Ease of use, implementation speed, and responsive support were key differentiators
Partnership channels: System integrators and consultants drove 78% of enterprise evaluations

Go-to-Market Strategy Requirements:

Direct sales necessary: Inbound marketing insufficient for enterprise; outbound and relationship building required
Professional services needed: Implementation support expected by 84% of enterprise buyers
Industry specialization: Vertical-specific case studies and expertise needed for credibility
Reference customer critical: Enterprises wanted proof from similar companies before considering new vendors

Risk Factors Identified:

Resource intensity: Enterprise market required 3x sales investment vs. SMB
Product readiness: 6-12 months of enterprise feature development needed before market entry
Competitive response: Incumbents likely to react aggressively to new entrant
Market timing: Budget cycles and procurement processes created seasonal buying patterns

Strategic Actions Taken:

Product Investment: Allocated 18 months to build enterprise-required features (security, integrations, APIs)
Sales Team Build: Hired enterprise sales team with industry experience
Partnership Strategy: Established relationships with 3 key system integrators
Pilot Program: Launched with 5 existing SMB customers expanding to enterprise use
Market Positioning: Positioned as "enterprise-grade simplicity" vs. incumbent complexity
Professional Services: Built implementation and success services team

18-Month Results:

Successfully closed 12 enterprise deals worth $2.3M ARR
Average deal size increased from $15K to $180K
Enterprise market provided 67% gross margins vs. 45% in SMB
Total addressable market expanded 8x with enterprise segment entry
Customer retention in enterprise segment reached 94% vs. 78% in SMB

Advanced Market Entry Use Cases

International Market Expansion:

Research cultural differences, regulatory requirements, and local competitive dynamics
Understand buyer behavior differences across geographic markets
Identify local partnership and distribution opportunities

Adjacent Market Entry:

Explore market segments adjacent to current successful markets
Understand how existing capabilities translate to new use cases
Identify product adaptations needed for adjacent market success

Acquisition-Driven Market Entry:

Research potential acquisition targets and their market positions
Understand integration challenges and market reception factors
Evaluate build vs. buy vs. partner strategies for market entry

Quick Start Checklist

Create Perspective AI account and define market entry research question
Customize research plan with 2-3 mandatory questions about market needs and competitive dynamics
Set up participant experience emphasizing market research rather than sales
Identify and invite diverse market stakeholders (buyers, experts, competitors' customers)
Wait for interview completion (typically 48-72 hours)
Generate Magic Summary for market opportunity and competitive landscape overview
Ask specific questions about market size, competition, and success factors
Create comprehensive market entry strategy with clear go/no-go decision criteria
Schedule follow-up research after market entry to validate assumptions and adjust strategy

Sample Analysis Questions for Market Entry Strategy

Market Opportunity Assessment:

"What's the size and growth potential of this market based on customer feedback?"
"Which customer segments show the strongest demand for solutions like ours?"
"What price points and value propositions resonate most with potential customers?"

Competitive Landscape Analysis:

"Who are the key competitors and what are their strengths/weaknesses according to customers?"
"Where do existing solutions fail to meet customer needs?"
"What differentiation opportunities exist for a new market entrant?"

Go-to-Market Strategy Development:

"How do customers in this market typically discover, evaluate, and purchase solutions?"
"Which channels and partnerships would be most effective for market entry?"
"What sales process and support requirements do customers expect?"

Risk and Success Factor Identification:

"What barriers to entry exist, and how significant are they?"
"Which factors most strongly predict success vs. failure in this market?"
"What regulatory, competitive, or operational risks should we prepare for?"

FAQs

Q: How do I get competitors' customers to participate honestly in market research? A: Position yourself as conducting industry research rather than competitive intelligence. Focus on market trends and needs rather than specific competitive comparisons.

Q: Should I reveal my company's intent to enter the market during interviews? A: Be transparent about conducting market research, but you don't need to reveal specific expansion plans. Focus on understanding market needs and dynamics.

Q: How do I validate market size estimates from interviews? A: Look for patterns in customer willingness to pay, problem frequency, and solution adoption rates. Triangulate interview insights with other market data sources.

Q: What if the research reveals the market opportunity is smaller than expected? A: This is valuable insight that can save significant investment. Consider adjacent markets, different customer segments, or alternative go-to-market approaches based on the findings.

What's Next?

You now have the framework to make market entry decisions based on real market intelligence rather than assumptions and limited data.

Ready to validate your market expansion strategy with real market insights? Start your free Perspective AI account and launch your market entry research today.

Need help structuring market research or identifying the right participants? Book a 15-minute consultation to design a market entry research approach that provides clear strategic direction for your expansion decisions.