Frameworks vs Systems

Frameworks are like gym memberships, great until you forget to use them 🤷‍♀️.

👋 Hi, I’m Ritika a Customer Marketer and the CMO at By Default. Welcome to the 70th edition - One minute on Customer Insights.

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Everywhere you look, someone’s selling you a “16-point framework,” a “growth marketing playbook,” or a “step-by-step blueprint to $1M ARR.”

(I used to comment on almost every post that said, comment this-or-that & I’ll send you the template, but many times they never did 😂)

And let’s be honest, it sounds promising, especially when you’re stuck trying to figure out why your product isn’t growing as fast as it should.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most of these frameworks? You’ll never use them.

In fact, 90% of people who download these resources never follow through. They live in some dusty folder on your desktop or in a buried “read later” list. (I have so many 😂)

Yet now that you’ve downloaded them, you’re officially in someone’s email funnel - getting sent more templates, tips, tools, or services they offer you don’t need.

Why?

Because you don’t have a framework problem. You have a system problem.

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Frameworks vs. Systems — What’s the Difference?

Let’s break it down:

Frameworks = Mental Models

They give you a structure to think through problems. Great for planning, strategising, and clarifying.

But they’re not executed. They don’t push the needle forward on their own.

Example:
You realize your LinkedIn content isn’t converting.
A framework might tell you to audit your content pillars, map customer pain points, and define your tone of voice.
Helpful, yes - but you’re still in thinking mode.

Systems = Execution Machines

A system is a repeatable set of actions that help you move fast, stay consistent, and measure progress.

Example:
Every Monday: Spend 30 minutes engaging on LinkedIn comments section.
Every Wednesday: Write a post addressing one recurring pain point
Every Friday: Engage with 10 relevant posts and DM 2 commenters for feedback
By the end of the week, you’re not just strategizing, you’re building momentum.

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Why SaaS Founders Get Stuck in Framework Loops

Let’s be real: As a founder, you're constantly navigating ambiguity. So when someone offers you a neat, tidy roadmap, adopting it in wholesale is tempting.

But most frameworks:

• They aren’t built for your unique context (your stage, audience, constraints)

• Assume resources or traction you don’t have yet

• Delay action by pushing you deeper into planning

That’s why you feel busy, but progress is slow.

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What You Actually Need: A Lightweight, Repeatable System

If you already know where the bottleneck is (e.g., poor retention, no inbound traffic, low conversions), stop downloading more frameworks.

Instead, build a system around that problem.

Here’s how:

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Step-by-Step: From Problem to System

Step 1: Diagnose One Specific Problem

Not: "Our marketing isn’t working"
Instead: "We’re getting 500 site visitors/month but no signups from LinkedIn"

Step 2: Identify Levers You Can Control

• Message clarity?

• Channel inconsistency?

• Weak CTA?

• Poor follow-up?

Pick one lever. Don’t try to fix everything at once.

Step 3: Design a Simple Weekly System

Example: Fixing LinkedIn Engagement

Stick to this for 4 weeks. Track results. Iterate.

Step 4: Measure One Thing

Whether it’s:

• Comments per post,

• Profile visits,

• Website clicks,

• or conversations opened.

Choose one metric and follow it weekly. Systems without measurement become habits without impact.

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TL;DR: Strategy ≠ Progress

• Frameworks give you clarity

• Systems give you compounding results

So if you’ve already diagnosed the problem, don’t just keep planning.
Work with someone who can help you operationalise the fix.

Because execution, done consistently, is the only growth lever that truly compounds.

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👉 Reply to this email 📧 to book a free 20-min strategy session to design a lightweight marketing system that you can actually maintain and get traction without relying on endless planning cycles.

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👀 Random things to keep an eye on

1️⃣ How I use AI agents to make money (Vibe Marketing Tutorial) - I’ve been building a Customer insights tool and I’ve used ChatGPT, Claude.ia and Replit. These AI platforms have developed a lot in recent months, so now you can build something you really wanted to and start selling (let me know if you would be interested in learning more about it, I can share my journey in this newsletter). Check this video out 👇:

2️⃣ It’s very simple for founders to get those first 100 paying users, but they make it overcomplicated for themselves. Rather than building what you think your customers need, talk to them and build something they really need and urgent enough to pay for.

Read the complete post here

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