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In Analyst Relations (AR), insights are more than just data points—they are the building blocks of strategic influence. A well-crafted insight can steer messaging, unlock competitive advantage, and spark action across your organization. But what exactly is an insight? And why do they matter so much?
Welcome to Part 1 of our blog series on What Makes a Good Insight. In this first installment, we’ll define what an insight really is, explore its value, and explain how insights elevate the work we do at Spotlight.
An insight is a contextual, actionable takeaway derived from analyst feedback. It might be a comment on your market strategy, product capabilities, or competitive positioning. But it’s not just a quote or a note—it’s a distilled signal that tells you what to do, where to pivot, or how you’re being perceived.
To determine if something qualifies as an insight, ask yourself:
If the answer is “yes” to any of these, you’re likely working with an insight—not just a note.
Unlike notes, which capture what happened, insights reveal why it matters. They elevate your AR work from reactive documentation to proactive strategy. Here’s why insights are indispensable:
Notes are detailed and comprehensive—but they often live in silos. They’re hard to scan, harder to synthesize, and easy to overlook. Insights, on the other hand, are curated. They:
Put simply: Notes capture what was said. Insights capture what matters.
Insights don’t just benefit AR teams. When shared thoughtfully, they support:
For an insight to be truly valuable, it must be:
Before publishing an insight, ask: Is this just interesting, or is it useful?
In the next blog post, we’ll dive into how to find insights in analyst conversations, craft them clearly and concisely, and tag them properly for reporting. You’ll learn the best practices our team uses to transform raw notes into valuable knowledge assets.
Because insights don’t just happen—they’re built.