Gain Strategic Clarity Under Pressure with Get Who To By

    Nothing screams chaos like a team under pressure trying to figure out what the hell they're actually launching. Spoiler alert: it usually leads to confusion, endless meetings, and a strategy that resembles a toddler's finger painting. Enter Get Who To By—your lifebuoy in the turbulent sea of strategic ambiguity. This framework cuts through the noise and forces your team to make four critical decisions that actually matter. Let's get your strategy sorted before the deadline sends everyone into a panic.

    Use-case guideUpdated 2025

    The TL;DR

    Use the Get Who To By framework to gain strategic clarity under pressure by making four essential decisions: GET (who to target), WHO (specific insight about their behavior), TO (the message), and BY (the mechanism). This will cut the fluff and help you focus on what actually drives results, even when the clock is ticking.

    Why Get Who To By Works Wonderfully Under Pressure

    When the heat is on, vague strategies are your worst enemy. This framework forces you to zero in on the essentials, cutting out the noise and the endless debates about 'what ifs'.

    Crystal-clear target. No more guessing games about who you're supposed to be talking to. You’ll know exactly who to focus on.
    Focus on real behavior. You get to the heart of how your target actually acts, instead of relying on fluffy assumptions.
    Direct messaging. Your message will be so clear it could slap someone awake. No more cryptic slogans.
    Efficient execution. You’ll have a straightforward plan of action, making it easier to rally the troops when time is short.
    Less stress. With clarity comes confidence. You’ll feel way less like a deer in headlights when the deadline approaches.

    The Four Steps

    GET

    Who exactly is worth launching to in this chaotic moment?

    Forget about targeting everyone and their grandma. Pick the smallest group that will actually give a damn about your launch. This isn’t a popularity contest; it’s about impact.

    WHO

    What specific insight reveals how your target group actually behaves under pressure?

    Dive deep into their current frustrations or habits. What are they struggling with that your launch could solve? If you can’t pinpoint it, you’re just flailing around like a fish out of water.

    TO

    Make the action stupidly obvious, even when everyone’s panicking

    This is where you distill your message into something actionable. It should be so clear that even a sleep-deprived intern could understand it. If it sounds like a riddle, rewrite it.

    BY

    How will you actually get them to act in this high-pressure scenario?

    This is your tactical playbook. Whether it’s a sense of urgency, a limited-time offer, or something that taps into a pain point, make sure it’s clear. If you can’t sum it up in a concise sentence, it needs more work.

    Common Strategic Blunders Under Pressure
    (Trust Us, We’ve Been There)

    • ×Setting a broad target audience because 'everyone could use this'
    • ×Failing to identify a specific behavior you want to change
    • ×Crafting a message that sounds like corporate jargon
    • ×Relying on creativity over strategy when time’s tight
    • ×Overcomplicating the execution plan
    • ×Ignoring the urgency factor in messaging
    • ×Missing the mark on what really matters to the target
    • ×Skipping feedback loops because you're in a hurry

    Avoiding these blunders might just save your launch from the dumpster fire of mediocrity.

    Real Examples

    Example 1

    Emergency Service App Launch
    An app that connects users with emergency services in real-time


    GET

    Urban dwellers in high-crime areas.

    WHO

    People who have experienced slow response times from emergency services and are frustrated by the lack of immediate help.

    TO

    Get help at the push of a button—in seconds.

    BY

    Using GPS to connect users directly with nearby services for immediate action.

    Why this works

    In emergencies, every second counts. The clear target and immediate action create a compelling reason to download.

    Example 2

    Time Management Tool Launch
    A tool designed for remote teams struggling with productivity


    GET

    Remote team managers.

    WHO

    Managers who are overwhelmed with tracking productivity and feel their teams are 'working hard but hardly working'.

    TO

    Transform chaos into clarity with one click.

    BY

    Offering a free trial that integrates seamlessly with existing tools and provides instant analytics.

    Why this works

    The tool addresses a pressing pain point with an enticing offer, making it hard to resist.

    Example 3

    Crisis Management Consultancy
    A consultancy service helping businesses navigate PR crises


    GET

    Small business owners.

    WHO

    Owners who’ve faced a PR disaster and are unsure how to recover.

    TO

    Turn your crisis into an opportunity for growth.

    BY

    Offering a free initial consultation that outlines a clear recovery strategy.

    Why this works

    The promise of a quick win in a tough situation grabs attention and establishes trust.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How can I gain strategic clarity during a pressure-filled launch?

    Use the Get Who To By framework to focus on four key decisions: GET (target audience), WHO (insight into their behavior), TO (the message), and BY (the mechanism). This cuts through the chaos.

    What does the GET in Get Who To By mean?

    GET refers to the specific audience you intend to target. It’s about identifying the smallest, most impactful group that will engage with your launch.

    How do I craft an effective message under pressure?

    Keep it simple and direct. The message should clearly articulate what you want the audience to do and why it’s beneficial for them.

    Why do launches fail under pressure?

    Most fail because teams rush through critical decisions, target too broadly, or lose sight of what their audience truly needs. Get Who To By helps to mitigate these issues.

    What if my team can't agree on the target audience?

    Then you’re probably overthinking it. Refocus on the smallest group that has a clear need for your product. If it’s too broad, you’re just delaying the inevitable chaos.

    Generate a Framework for your Product Launch Strategy

    Use our framework generator to generate various Get Who To By, 4C, 4 Points Strategy, and other frameworks — all in one place and directly to editable Google SLIDES!

    Go to Framework Generator

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