chore(strategy): refresh market benchmark with current MSP-aware audit alternatives

docs/strategy/market-parity-benchmark-2026.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Generated: 2026-08-06
 
 ## Purpose
 
-Use this to judge whether TinyStudio is merely internally polished or actually comparable with strong CRO, SEO/site-architecture, paid acquisition, lifecycle/email, AI automation audit, and full-service growth providers.
+Use this to judge whether TinyStudio is merely internally polished or actually comparable with strong CRO, SEO/site-architecture, paid acquisition, lifecycle/email, AI automation audit, MSP-aware audit and marketing offers, and full-service growth providers.
 
 ## Current Position
 
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ TinyStudio is not trying to beat full-service enterprise CRO agencies on long st
 - boutique SEO/site-architecture audits
 - paid search/social and lifecycle/email retainers
 - AI-assisted marketing operations retainers
+- MSP-aware audit and marketing offers aimed at the same founder-led Managed IT, MSP, and cybersecurity audience
 - human-reviewed website revenue fault sprints for founder-led Managed IT, MSP, and cybersecurity companies
 
 ## Decision Rule
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ Use this benchmark as an owner dashboard for market claims. If a row says "do no
 ## Market Price Anchors
 
 Generated: 2026-08-06.
-Market anchors last checked: 2026-05-29.
+Market anchors last checked: 2026-08-11.
 
 Current public market signals:
 
@@ -34,6 +35,10 @@ Current public market signals:
 - OpenClaw Audit lists $2,000 and $5,000 AI automation audit packages with a 48-hour turnaround.
 - WebFX, SmartSites, Ignite Visibility, and Thrive all position as multi-channel agencies across SEO, PPC, paid social, email, CRO, analytics, content, reputation, and web work.
 - MarketHire and GoodFirms pricing guides put serious full-service retainers into the $5,000-$25,000+/month zone depending on scope, channels, and seniority.
+- MSP marketing agencies sell audit-led entry: Tech Pro Marketing opens with a free growth call and runs a flat $3,000/month inbound retainer for MSPs above $500K revenue; 100Signals' August 2026 comparison (https://100signals.com/best-marketing-agencies-for-managed-service-providers/) puts MSP-focused retainers from $549-$25,000/month, with an entry tier of $549-$3,000/month.
+- MSP website/SEO audit packages start low: JoomConnect includes a website audit and keyword research in every SEO tier from $300-$1,800/month and opens with a free SEO audit.
+- Free MSP-focused audits are a crowded entry point: JoomConnect, Managed Prospecting System, and 100Signals all give away MSP-specific audits (SEO, authority, AI visibility) to open sales conversations.
+- MSP marketing subscriptions undercut agencies: MSP Marketing Edge offers a free trial then $199/month (US) with no contract, plus a free marketing scorecard.
 
 ## Competitive Proof Matrix
 
@@ -48,6 +53,10 @@ Current public market signals:
 | Paid acquisition agencies | Spend-share. | Media ops. | Fix before spend. | do not claim yet | No media claim. |
 | Lifecycle/email providers | Email retainers. | Retention. | Proof + owner. | do not claim yet | Out of scope. |
 | Transparent boutique retainers | Recurring retainers. | Packaging. | Shipped proof. | do not claim yet | After delivery. |
+| MSP marketing agency audits | $549-$25k/mo; entry $549-$3k/mo; Tech Pro flat $3k/mo. | MSP-specific programs. | One-page speed. | do not claim yet | After proof. |
+| MSP website/SEO audit packages | $300-$1.8k/mo; audit included. | Ongoing SEO. | Fault map + fix. | do not claim yet | Not a retainer. |
+| Free MSP marketing/authority audits | Free; audit-led entry. | Free diagnostics. | Human-reviewed fix. | do not claim yet | After proof. |
+| MSP marketing subscription toolkits | Free trial; $199/mo. | Content volume. | Done-for-you proof. | do not claim yet | Not a substitute. |
 
 ## TinyStudio Proof Bar
 
@@ -114,3 +123,7 @@ We do not guarantee revenue, ranking, ROAS, conversion, booked-call, or sales-vo
 - GoodFirms digital marketing pricing guide: https://www.goodfirms.co/blog/digital-marketing-pricing-guide
 - HubSpot State of Marketing: https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
 - Technotize pricing: https://technotize.io/pricing
+- 100Signals 2026 MSP agency comparison: https://100signals.com/best-marketing-agencies-for-managed-service-providers/
+- JoomConnect MSP SEO: https://www.joomconnect.com/msp-marketing/services/search-engine-optimization
+- Managed Prospecting System news: https://managedprospectingsystem.com/news/
+- MSP Marketing Edge pricing: https://www.mspmarketingedge.com/pricing/

growth-brain/ops/competitive-proof-matrix.html

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 <body>
   <main>
     <h1>Competitive Proof Matrix</h1>
-    <p>Generated 2026-08-06. Market anchors last checked 2026-05-29. This shows where TinyStudio can credibly compete and where claims are still blocked by missing proof.</p>
+    <p>Generated 2026-08-06. Market anchors last checked 2026-08-11. This shows where TinyStudio can credibly compete and where claims are still blocked by missing proof.</p>
     <section>
       <h2>Market Alternatives</h2>
       <table><thead><tr><th>Alternative</th><th>Market Signal</th><th>They Are Strong At</th><th>TinyStudio Can Beat By</th><th>Status</th><th>Allowed Claim</th></tr></thead><tbody>
@@ -102,6 +102,38 @@ <h2>Market Alternatives</h2>
           <td><span class="pill bad">do not claim yet</span></td>
           <td>After delivery.</td>
         </tr>
+        <tr>
+          <td>MSP marketing agency audits</td>
+          <td>$549-$25k/mo; entry $549-$3k/mo; Tech Pro flat $3k/mo.</td>
+          <td>MSP-specific programs.</td>
+          <td>One-page speed.</td>
+          <td><span class="pill bad">do not claim yet</span></td>
+          <td>After proof.</td>
+        </tr>
+        <tr>
+          <td>MSP website/SEO audit packages</td>
+          <td>$300-$1.8k/mo; audit included.</td>
+          <td>Ongoing SEO.</td>
+          <td>Fault map + fix.</td>
+          <td><span class="pill bad">do not claim yet</span></td>
+          <td>Not a retainer.</td>
+        </tr>
+        <tr>
+          <td>Free MSP marketing/authority audits</td>
+          <td>Free; audit-led entry.</td>
+          <td>Free diagnostics.</td>
+          <td>Human-reviewed fix.</td>
+          <td><span class="pill bad">do not claim yet</span></td>
+          <td>After proof.</td>
+        </tr>
+        <tr>
+          <td>MSP marketing subscription toolkits</td>
+          <td>Free trial; $199/mo.</td>
+          <td>Content volume.</td>
+          <td>Done-for-you proof.</td>
+          <td><span class="pill bad">do not claim yet</span></td>
+          <td>Not a substitute.</td>
+        </tr>
       </tbody></table>
     </section>
     <section>
@@ -140,7 +172,7 @@ <h2>TinyStudio Proof Bar</h2>
     </section>
     <section>
       <h2>Sources</h2>
-      <ul><li><a href="https://croaudits.com/pricing/">CROAudits</a></li><li><a href="https://www.webfx.com/digital-marketing/services/conversion-rate-optimization/">WebFX CRO services</a></li><li><a href="https://speero.com/experimentation-services/full-service-experimentation-program">Speero full-service experimentation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.conversion.is/services/conversion-rate-optimization-services">Conversion CRO services</a></li><li><a href="https://openclawaudit.com/">OpenClaw Audit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.webfx.com/digital-marketing/services/packages/">WebFX digital marketing packages</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodfirms.co/blog/digital-marketing-pricing-guide">GoodFirms digital marketing pricing guide</a></li><li><a href="https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing">HubSpot State of Marketing</a></li><li><a href="https://technotize.io/pricing">Technotize pricing</a></li></ul>
+      <ul><li><a href="https://croaudits.com/pricing/">CROAudits</a></li><li><a href="https://www.webfx.com/digital-marketing/services/conversion-rate-optimization/">WebFX CRO services</a></li><li><a href="https://speero.com/experimentation-services/full-service-experimentation-program">Speero full-service experimentation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.conversion.is/services/conversion-rate-optimization-services">Conversion CRO services</a></li><li><a href="https://openclawaudit.com/">OpenClaw Audit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.webfx.com/digital-marketing/services/packages/">WebFX digital marketing packages</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodfirms.co/blog/digital-marketing-pricing-guide">GoodFirms digital marketing pricing guide</a></li><li><a href="https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing">HubSpot State of Marketing</a></li><li><a href="https://technotize.io/pricing">Technotize pricing</a></li><li><a href="https://100signals.com/best-marketing-agencies-for-managed-service-providers/">100Signals 2026 MSP agency comparison</a></li><li><a href="https://www.joomconnect.com/msp-marketing/services/search-engine-optimization">JoomConnect MSP SEO</a></li><li><a href="https://managedprospectingsystem.com/news/">Managed Prospecting System news</a></li><li><a href="https://www.mspmarketingedge.com/pricing/">MSP Marketing Edge pricing</a></li></ul>
     </section>
   </main>
 </body>

growth-brain/ops/competitive-proof-matrix.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Generated: 2026-08-06
 
 ## Purpose
 
-Use this to judge whether TinyStudio is merely internally polished or actually comparable with strong CRO, SEO/site-architecture, paid acquisition, lifecycle/email, AI automation audit, and full-service growth providers.
+Use this to judge whether TinyStudio is merely internally polished or actually comparable with strong CRO, SEO/site-architecture, paid acquisition, lifecycle/email, AI automation audit, MSP-aware audit and marketing offers, and full-service growth providers.
 
 ## Current Position
 
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ TinyStudio is not trying to beat full-service enterprise CRO agencies on long st
 - boutique SEO/site-architecture audits
 - paid search/social and lifecycle/email retainers
 - AI-assisted marketing operations retainers
+- MSP-aware audit and marketing offers aimed at the same founder-led Managed IT, MSP, and cybersecurity audience
 - human-reviewed website revenue fault sprints for founder-led Managed IT, MSP, and cybersecurity companies
 
 ## Decision Rule
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ Use this benchmark as an owner dashboard for market claims. If a row says "do no
 ## Market Price Anchors
 
 Generated: 2026-08-06.
-Market anchors last checked: 2026-05-29.
+Market anchors last checked: 2026-08-11.
 
 Current public market signals:
 
@@ -34,6 +35,10 @@ Current public market signals:
 - OpenClaw Audit lists $2,000 and $5,000 AI automation audit packages with a 48-hour turnaround.
 - WebFX, SmartSites, Ignite Visibility, and Thrive all position as multi-channel agencies across SEO, PPC, paid social, email, CRO, analytics, content, reputation, and web work.
 - MarketHire and GoodFirms pricing guides put serious full-service retainers into the $5,000-$25,000+/month zone depending on scope, channels, and seniority.
+- MSP marketing agencies sell audit-led entry: Tech Pro Marketing opens with a free growth call and runs a flat $3,000/month inbound retainer for MSPs above $500K revenue; 100Signals' August 2026 comparison (https://100signals.com/best-marketing-agencies-for-managed-service-providers/) puts MSP-focused retainers from $549-$25,000/month, with an entry tier of $549-$3,000/month.
+- MSP website/SEO audit packages start low: JoomConnect includes a website audit and keyword research in every SEO tier from $300-$1,800/month and opens with a free SEO audit.
+- Free MSP-focused audits are a crowded entry point: JoomConnect, Managed Prospecting System, and 100Signals all give away MSP-specific audits (SEO, authority, AI visibility) to open sales conversations.
+- MSP marketing subscriptions undercut agencies: MSP Marketing Edge offers a free trial then $199/month (US) with no contract, plus a free marketing scorecard.
 
 ## Competitive Proof Matrix
 
@@ -48,6 +53,10 @@ Current public market signals:
 | Paid acquisition agencies | Spend-share. | Media ops. | Fix before spend. | do not claim yet | No media claim. |
 | Lifecycle/email providers | Email retainers. | Retention. | Proof + owner. | do not claim yet | Out of scope. |
 | Transparent boutique retainers | Recurring retainers. | Packaging. | Shipped proof. | do not claim yet | After delivery. |
+| MSP marketing agency audits | $549-$25k/mo; entry $549-$3k/mo; Tech Pro flat $3k/mo. | MSP-specific programs. | One-page speed. | do not claim yet | After proof. |
+| MSP website/SEO audit packages | $300-$1.8k/mo; audit included. | Ongoing SEO. | Fault map + fix. | do not claim yet | Not a retainer. |
+| Free MSP marketing/authority audits | Free; audit-led entry. | Free diagnostics. | Human-reviewed fix. | do not claim yet | After proof. |
+| MSP marketing subscription toolkits | Free trial; $199/mo. | Content volume. | Done-for-you proof. | do not claim yet | Not a substitute. |
 
 ## TinyStudio Proof Bar
 
@@ -114,3 +123,7 @@ We do not guarantee revenue, ranking, ROAS, conversion, booked-call, or sales-vo
 - GoodFirms digital marketing pricing guide: https://www.goodfirms.co/blog/digital-marketing-pricing-guide
 - HubSpot State of Marketing: https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
 - Technotize pricing: https://technotize.io/pricing
+- 100Signals 2026 MSP agency comparison: https://100signals.com/best-marketing-agencies-for-managed-service-providers/
+- JoomConnect MSP SEO: https://www.joomconnect.com/msp-marketing/services/search-engine-optimization
+- Managed Prospecting System news: https://managedprospectingsystem.com/news/
+- MSP Marketing Edge pricing: https://www.mspmarketingedge.com/pricing/

scripts/export-market-benchmark.mjs

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const outputPath = outputArg ? outputArg.split("=").slice(1).join("=") : "docs/s
 const opsPath = opsArg ? opsArg.split("=").slice(1).join("=") : "growth-brain/ops/competitive-proof-matrix.md";
 const htmlPath = htmlArg ? htmlArg.split("=").slice(1).join("=") : "growth-brain/ops/competitive-proof-matrix.html";
 const today = localIsoDate();
-const MARKET_ANCHORS_LAST_CHECKED = "2026-05-29";
+const MARKET_ANCHORS_LAST_CHECKED = "2026-08-11";
 function write(path, content) {
   const dir = path.split("/").slice(0, -1).join("/");
   if (dir) mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true });
@@ -133,6 +133,46 @@ const alternatives = [
     tinyStudioCanBeatBy: "Shipped proof.",
     currentStatus: metrics.counts.clientsReady > 0 && metrics.counts.loomsRecorded >= 5 ? "watch" : "fail",
     allowedClaim: "After delivery."
+  },
+  {
+    name: "MSP marketing agency audits",
+    source: "100Signals 2026 MSP agency comparison",
+    sourceUrl: "https://100signals.com/best-marketing-agencies-for-managed-service-providers/",
+    marketSignal: "$549-$25k/mo; entry $549-$3k/mo; Tech Pro flat $3k/mo.",
+    strongAt: "MSP-specific programs.",
+    tinyStudioCanBeatBy: "One-page speed.",
+    currentStatus: marketProofReady ? "watch" : "fail",
+    allowedClaim: "After proof."
+  },
+  {
+    name: "MSP website/SEO audit packages",
+    source: "JoomConnect MSP SEO",
+    sourceUrl: "https://www.joomconnect.com/msp-marketing/services/search-engine-optimization",
+    marketSignal: "$300-$1.8k/mo; audit included.",
+    strongAt: "Ongoing SEO.",
+    tinyStudioCanBeatBy: "Fault map + fix.",
+    currentStatus: metrics.counts.clientsReady > 0 ? "watch" : "fail",
+    allowedClaim: "Not a retainer."
+  },
+  {
+    name: "Free MSP marketing/authority audits",
+    source: "Managed Prospecting System news",
+    sourceUrl: "https://managedprospectingsystem.com/news/",
+    marketSignal: "Free; audit-led entry.",
+    strongAt: "Free diagnostics.",
+    tinyStudioCanBeatBy: "Human-reviewed fix.",
+    currentStatus: metrics.counts.clientsReady > 0 ? "watch" : "fail",
+    allowedClaim: "After proof."
+  },
+  {
+    name: "MSP marketing subscription toolkits",
+    source: "MSP Marketing Edge pricing",
+    sourceUrl: "https://www.mspmarketingedge.com/pricing/",
+    marketSignal: "Free trial; $199/mo.",
+    strongAt: "Content volume.",
+    tinyStudioCanBeatBy: "Done-for-you proof.",
+    currentStatus: metrics.counts.clientsReady > 0 && metrics.counts.loomsRecorded >= 5 ? "watch" : "fail",
+    allowedClaim: "Not a substitute."
   }
 ];
 
@@ -182,7 +222,7 @@ Generated: ${today}
 
 ## Purpose
 
-Use this to judge whether TinyStudio is merely internally polished or actually comparable with strong CRO, SEO/site-architecture, paid acquisition, lifecycle/email, AI automation audit, and full-service growth providers.
+Use this to judge whether TinyStudio is merely internally polished or actually comparable with strong CRO, SEO/site-architecture, paid acquisition, lifecycle/email, AI automation audit, MSP-aware audit and marketing offers, and full-service growth providers.
 
 ## Current Position
 
@@ -192,6 +232,7 @@ TinyStudio is not trying to beat full-service enterprise CRO agencies on long st
 - boutique SEO/site-architecture audits
 - paid search/social and lifecycle/email retainers
 - AI-assisted marketing operations retainers
+- MSP-aware audit and marketing offers aimed at the same founder-led Managed IT, MSP, and cybersecurity audience
 - human-reviewed website revenue fault sprints for founder-led Managed IT, MSP, and cybersecurity companies
 
 ## Decision Rule
@@ -212,6 +253,10 @@ Current public market signals:
 - OpenClaw Audit lists $2,000 and $5,000 AI automation audit packages with a 48-hour turnaround.
 - WebFX, SmartSites, Ignite Visibility, and Thrive all position as multi-channel agencies across SEO, PPC, paid social, email, CRO, analytics, content, reputation, and web work.
 - MarketHire and GoodFirms pricing guides put serious full-service retainers into the $5,000-$25,000+/month zone depending on scope, channels, and seniority.
+- MSP marketing agencies sell audit-led entry: Tech Pro Marketing opens with a free growth call and runs a flat $3,000/month inbound retainer for MSPs above $500K revenue; 100Signals' August 2026 comparison (https://100signals.com/best-marketing-agencies-for-managed-service-providers/) puts MSP-focused retainers from $549-$25,000/month, with an entry tier of $549-$3,000/month.
+- MSP website/SEO audit packages start low: JoomConnect includes a website audit and keyword research in every SEO tier from $300-$1,800/month and opens with a free SEO audit.
+- Free MSP-focused audits are a crowded entry point: JoomConnect, Managed Prospecting System, and 100Signals all give away MSP-specific audits (SEO, authority, AI visibility) to open sales conversations.
+- MSP marketing subscriptions undercut agencies: MSP Marketing Edge offers a free trial then $199/month (US) with no contract, plus a free marketing scorecard.
 
 ## Competitive Proof Matrix