Competitor Brief Before a Demo | Copy-Paste AI Recipe

NextFlows Contributors

doi:nextflows.ai/recipes/competitor-brief-before-demo

⚡ TL;DR

✓ A demo prep brief with honest competitor strengths, your differentiators, and objection handlers.
✓ ~15 min setup; ~3 min per competitor before a demo
✓ Read-only
✓ Uses Web search

Before you start

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A Mac or Windows computer where you can install Claude DesktopA free Claude account at claude.aiCompetitor name and what you sellWeb search enabled in Claude

How to connect each app

Web search
Claude Desktop → Settings → Capabilities → enable Web search (or use a chat with search enabled)
Open setup help →

Setup (15 min)

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1Install Claude Desktop: open claude.ai/download, download for Mac or Windows, install, and sign in.

2Enable web search in Claude Desktop (Settings → Capabilities).

3Before your demo, paste competitor name and your product context.

4Review the brief — add local knowledge your team already has.

5Use objection handlers on the call — stay factual, not trash-talk.

The prompt

Competitive brief before my sales demo.

Competitor: [COMPETITOR NAME]
Our product: [YOUR PRODUCT — one sentence]
Prospect context: [INDUSTRY / USE CASE — optional]

Use public web sources only. Give me:
- **What they do** (2 sentences)
- **Where they win** (honest strengths)
- **Where we win** (differentiators — no exaggeration)
- **Likely objections** (3) with suggested responses
- **Questions to ask the prospect** (to uncover fit)
- **Landmines** (topics to avoid or handle carefully)

Under 400 words. Bullet points. Cite sources when possible.
If data is thin, say so — do not invent.

Paste into Claude Desktop. Claude will use your connected apps: Web search.

Expected outcome

A demo prep brief with honest competitor strengths, your differentiators, and objection handlers.

Success checklist

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Brief uses public info onlyObjection handlers are factualI felt more prepared on the demo

Troubleshooting

I can't find Connectors in Claude Desktop

Cause

You may be using the website instead of the desktop app.

Solution

Download Claude Desktop from claude.ai/download. Open Settings → Connectors or Integrations.

An app won't connect

Cause

Wrong account or company requires IT approval.

Solution

Reconnect with your work account. If blocked, paste the relevant text into Claude and say "Use only what I pasted."

The output is too long or vague

Cause

The prompt needs a tighter focus.

Solution

Reply: "Shorter — bullet points only" or "Top 3 items only."

Competitor info seems outdated

Cause

Web results may be stale.

Solution

Say: "Focus on last 12 months only" or add what your team already knows.