Obviously Awesome vs Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind
This comparison helps product marketers and PMs decide between a modern product-positioning framework and the classic strategic lens that shaped the positioning category.
Decision Summary
Choose Obviously Awesome when you need a practical framework you can use on a real positioning project now. Choose Positioning when you want the original mental model for category framing, market perception, and competitive narrative.
You are actively working on messaging or repositioning right now.
You want a structured sequence for market, alternatives, value, and fit.
You need a modern bridge between positioning theory and go-to-market execution.
You want the classic strategic framing behind modern positioning work.
You care about category perception and competitive mindshare.
You are studying the roots of positioning before applying newer frameworks.
How they differ
Practicality
Modern, tactical, and easier to apply immediately.
More conceptual and category-theory driven.
Best use
Messaging workshops and GTM refinement.
Strategic framing and positioning fundamentals.
Reader fit
PMMs, founders, PMs doing GTM work.
Readers who want the classic marketing foundation.
At a Glance
Compare_FAQ
Comparison FAQ
If I only read one positioning book, which should it be?
For most modern teams, start with Obviously Awesome because it is easier to apply directly to a live product or repositioning effort.
Is Positioning outdated?
Not entirely. Some examples are dated, but the strategic framing remains influential and still helps explain why modern positioning frameworks work.
Next places to explore
Editorial_Method
How this comparison page is curated
PM Books Directory exists to help product managers find high-signal books faster. We prioritize practical usefulness, durable ideas, and clear guidance on who each book is for.
We organize pages using topic relevance, reader fit, durable frameworks, and practical usefulness rather than pure popularity alone.
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