First Impression

First Impression

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Do you have product-story fit?
How to hone your product's story to find narrative fit. How Impossible foods, Zapier, and Webflow found their product-story fit.
 • Hema Padhu
Positioning at different stages of PMF
When is the right time to do positioning work? How soon is too soon? When to reposition, and more.
 • Hema Padhu
What if the problem you are solving is not that urgent?
How to position, brand, and market a product that is solving a significant but not urgent problem.
 • Hema Padhu
How do you know your startup is ready for marketing leadership?
Signals to look for, DIY or search firm, common mistakes founders make.
 • Hema Padhu
Power of a differentiated narrative
How to write your brand narrative + best-in-class examples.
 • Hema Padhu
How to find that perfect first marketer for your startup
Role scoping, success criteria, ICP, and more.
 • Hema Padhu
Stop! Don't hire a VP of Marketing
If you are an early-stage startup + Who to hire instead
 • Hema Padhu
How to get started as an interim CMO - Part III
The good, bad, and ugly of doing interim and fractional work
 • Hema Padhu
How to choose an interim CMO - Part II
Advice for screening, selecting, and hiring an interim marketing leader
 • Hema Padhu
First Impression
First Impression
Hema Padhu writes First Impression — a newsletter for startup founders and marketers. She covers positioning, brand, GTM, and leadership.
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