Strategy Overview (How we’ll actually sell out)

Approach: Position the all-white, no-image puzzle as (1) a brutally fair skill challenge, (2) a mindfulness/flow tool, and (3) a customizable canvas for events and art—then bundle it with original game modes, leaderboards, and framing kits so it’s not “just a gag,” it’s a system.
Why this works:

Novelty + narrative (“the last puzzle you’ll ever fear”) drives shareable content and challenge culture.
Teams, classrooms, weddings, and makers want activities, not just objects—our modes make it turnkey.
Margins on puzzles are healthy; value is created by rules, timers, certificates, and framing, not ink.

Task List (Phase by Phase, no fluff)

Phase 0 — Product & QA (Week 1–2)

Lock SKUs & specs
- SKUs: Solo 500, Pro 1000, Team 2000.
- Ultra-matte, anti-glare finish; uniform die-cut with 0.1–0.2 mm tolerance; zero backside marks.
Include essential aids (without violating “blank”)
- 6 sorting pouches, foldable assembly mat with subtle embossed grid (no ink), piece scoop.
- “No-Image Card” explaining the challenge + QR to rules/leaderboard.
Edge calibration & warpage control
- Random pull test 3%/batch; warp gauge and corner-fit template at QA.
Packaging that pre-sells
- Minimalist white box, matte varnish, silver foil logo; interior lid prints the rules (blindfolded, sorry).
Lost-piece guarantee
- One free “wildcard corner” replacement per order; encourage completion confidence.

Phase 1 — Positioning & Pricing (Week 2)

Name & tagline
- Product name: WHITEOUT. Tagline: “The puzzle that stares back.”
Price
- Solo 500: $29, Pro 1000: $39, Team 2000: $59. Bundle “Event Kit” +$20.
Bundles
- Event Kit: frame, sealant, certificate pack, dry-erase film overlay (for timing), timer QR, stickers.
- Art Kit: archival pen set + spray fixative + hanging strips.

Phase 2 — Content & Store (Week 2–3)

Storefront (Shopify/Amazon)
- PDP with “difficulty meter,” sample time ranges, risk-free guarantee, rules tabs, UGC carousel.
Video assets

15-sec hook (“there is no picture”), 60-sec “how it works,” 3-min team mode demo, silent ASMR build.

Downloadables

Printable certificates, tournament bracket PDFs, “Coach’s guide” for team leads.

Phase 3 — Launch Mechanics (Week 3–4)

Waitlist & limited drop

5k units across SKUs; waitlist gets 48-hour early access + name on global leaderboard.

#WhiteoutChallenge

Rules: one uncut overhead shot from sealed box to last piece; digital timer overlay; submit to leaderboard.

Influencer seeding (30 kits)

Puzzle streamers, productivity YouTubers, ASMR, wedding planners, STEM teachers.

PR angles

“Mindfulness through monotony,” “Office tournament in a box,” “Wedding guestbook you actually hang.”

Phase 4 — B2B & Events (Week 4–7)

Corporate team-build pilot

20 companies × 2 kits each. Provide facilitator script, 90-minute agenda, scorecards.

Wedding/venue partners

10 boutique planners + 10 gallery gift shops; wholesale margin 45%.

School pack

Classroom set (4× Solo 500) with lesson plan: concentration, collaboration, and pattern detection.

Phase 5 — Post-Launch Scale (Week 6–8)

Retargeting & lookalikes

Creative variants: rage quit vs zen win; before/after framed piece on wall.

UGC fuel

Weekly “Fastest Solve,” “Best Team Choreography,” “Prettiest Disaster Table” awards.

Ops & CX

Macro for “it’s too hard” → offer Event Kit coupon or “Coach’s Tips” PDF; lost-piece portal.

Original Use-Cases (Sold as a Set, with Rules)

1) Zen Sprint Mode (Solo)

Goal: Enter flow; finish a defined section, not the whole puzzle.
Setup: Use the embossed grid and pick a 4×4 sector.
Rules: 20-minute timer; no music with lyrics; pause allowed once for 60 seconds.
Scoring: Pieces placed ÷ attempts (higher is better).
Included: Timer QR, sector cards, progress log.
Why it sells: Mindfulness consumers + productivity nerds.

2) Team Tournament (Office or Classroom)

Goal: First team to complete the border + two grid sectors.
Teams: 3–5 per table.
Rules: One “caller” (no hands on pieces) allowed; rotate caller every 5 minutes; no phones.
Scoring: Time; 30-sec penalty if two players touch the same piece.
Tie-Breaker: Most “single-touch placements.”
Included: Bracket PDF, referee whistle (okay, a sticker), certificates.

3) Wedding Guestbook Puzzle

Goal: Assemble, then guests sign after completion (still blank at sale).
Rules: Pens provided; only outer ring pieces get names, inner pieces short wishes.
Finish: Apply sealant, frame with included mat (“we did it together” inscription).
Why it sells: A keepsake that was a collective effort.

4) Whiteboard Prototype Mode (Makers/Designers)

Goal: Rapidly ideate physical UI or architecture by drawing on the assembled surface (with dry-erase film).
Rules: 15-minute sprints; after each sprint, break and reassemble a sector while revising.
Why it sells: Functional prototyping toy for teams; repeatable.

5) Cipher Gift Mode (Friends & Family)

Goal: Write a message on the finished puzzle, scramble, gift it. Recipient must assemble to read.
Rules: Use provided cipher card to replace certain letters with shapes for fun; optional.
Why it sells: Personalization—zero printing required.

Metrics to Track

Sell-through: 80% of 5k launch units in 30 days.
Leaderboard submissions: 2,000 in first month.
B2B conversions: 25 corporate kits, 15 wedding partners in 60 days.
Refunds: <4%. NPS > 55. CAC/Blended ROAS weekly.

Risks & Mitigations

“It’s impossible.” → Provide Coach’s Tips, Zen Sprint alternative, and Event Kit upsell.
Piece loss returns. → Lost-piece portal + 1 wildcard corner policy.
Counterfeits. → Embossed micro-stamp on edge faces + QR-verified certificates.
Rage-quit PR. → Celebrate fails (funny awards), not just wins.

8-Week Execution Timeline (condensed)

W1–2: Spec, QA, packaging, PDP draft.
W3: Content shoot, leaderboard page, waitlist.
W4: Limited drop + creator seeding + corporate outreach.
W5–6: Tournaments, UGC contests, B2B pilots.
W7–8: Retail outreach, restock PO, paid scale with UGC.

Copy & Creative Starters

Hook line: “No picture. No hints. Just you and 1000 nearly identical decisions.”
CTA: “Start the #WhiteoutChallenge. Frame your victory.”
Fail-friendly: “We didn’t finish—but we did find that one corner piece six times.”

One Last Thing

If anyone asks for an “easy mode,” we’ll release an expansion pack featuring a single black piece. It goes somewhere. Probably.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Sell out of an all-white jigsaw puzzle with only blank pieces