---
name: bar-test-positioning
description: Use after drafting positioning statements, before writing website copy, or when marketing language sounds corporate rather than human
---

# The Bar Test Positioning Framework

## Overview

A role-play exercise to ensure positioning statements sound like **human conversation** rather than corporate jargon. If you can't explain what you do to a friend at a bar, you have a positioning problem.

**Core principle:** Positioning must be colloquial enough to say to a friend.

## The Process

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  STEP 1: SET THE SCENE                                          │
│  Imagine you're at a bar with your target persona               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  STEP 2: THE TRIGGER                                            │
│  "Hey, I just started using [Product]..."                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  STEP 3: THE EXPLANATION                                        │
│  Speak the Benefit + Category naturally                         │
│  Structure: What is it + Benefit + Differentiator               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  STEP 4: THE VALIDATION                                         │
│  Does the friend nod, or ask "What do you mean?"                │
│  If they ask for clarification → Test FAILED                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Examples

| ✓ Human (Pass) | ✗ Corporate (Fail) |
|----------------|-------------------|
| "Turns your iPad into a cash register" | "Leverages tablet hardware for merchant transactions" |
| "Notes that write themselves" | "AI-powered documentation solution" |
| "Your company's search engine" | "Enterprise knowledge management platform" |

## Banned Words

Words people don't speak aloud:
- "Leverages" → "Uses"
- "Empowers" → "Helps"
- "Solution" → [the actual thing]
- "Platform" → [be specific]

## Common Mistakes

- Trying to sound "smart" or "corporate"
- Using words you'd never say in conversation
- Assuming jargon makes you sound legitimate

---

*Source: Arielle Jackson (First Round Capital) via Lenny's Podcast*