Meet Diksha Upadhyay

We recently connected with Diksha Upadhyay and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Diksha, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

Creativity blocks is something I often encounter in my role as a Product Marketer. And it usually stems from trying to craft the perfect narrative right off the bat. With time, I’ve understood that the key to overcoming these blocks lies in embracing the messy, iterative nature of the creative process.

One technique that’s been a game-changer for me is what I call “prototyping.” Instead of agonizing over the perfect opening line or structure, I start by doing a brain dump of all the raw ideas together. During this process, I silence my inner critic and just start writing, no matter how rough it is. This approach, originally championed by Anne Lamott, helps me overcome the paralysis of perfectionism. I remind myself that great positioning statements and compelling narratives are sculpted, not born fully formed.

Another powerful method I’ve discovered is “perspective shifting.” When I’m stuck, I try to look at my work through different lenses. It challenges me to step outside my usual thought patterns and answer questions like – How would you explain your project to someone completely outside your field? A child, a grandparent or someone from a totally different profession? How would your competitor describe your work? Or flip it around – How would your biggest fan review you?
This has proved to be a great tool to help uncover fresh angles and creative hooks I might’ve overlooked.

I’ll sum this up by quoting one of my professors – “Creativity loves constraint”. This may sound counterintuitive but I’ve come to realize how embracing limitations leads to the most innovative solutions. Limitations can be external or self-imposed like budget, resources, identity, target audience, geography etc. The point is that these boundaries produce solutions that are tighter, more focused and have a much greater impact.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an Engineer turned Marketer, a transition that has given me a unique lens to view product development and customer connection. My primary objective is to launch products that deeply resonate with people and become integral parts of their lives.

What excites me the most about my work is the opportunity to reshape the identity of products in fiercely competitive and crowded markets. I thrive on the challenge of taking something that might seem ordinary and uncovering its extraordinary potential. My engineering background has taught me to solve problems systematically, while marketing has shown me how to tell stories that matter.

What I’d like readers to know is that product marketing is largely misunderstood. It’s more than crafting clever taglines or creating buzz – when done right, it’s about understanding the human psyche, solving real pain points, and communicating tangible value. It’s about always putting the customer at the center of everything. In today’s digital age, where consumers are bombarded with endless options, the key to standing out isn’t shouting the loudest – it’s listening the hardest and responding with authentic solutions.

I’m particularly passionate about helping brands find their authentic voice in a world of noise. Every product has a story worth telling; my job is to uncover that story and tell it in a way that resonates with the right audience.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three skills and areas that have been particularly impactful through my journey are empathy, storytelling, and data-backed decision making.

1. Empathy
I believe empathy is a fundamental human quality that transforms how we connect, communicate, and create value in all aspects of life. It’s about truly understanding and sharing the feelings of others, whether they’re customers, colleagues, stakeholders, or partners. This deep understanding is crucial for business decisions, building meaningful relationships and creating lasting impact.

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that success in any endeavor hinges on our ability to genuinely understand and relate to others’ perspectives, challenges, and aspirations. I’ve seen how empathy can change difficult conversations into opportunities for growth, turn potential conflicts into collaborative solutions, and bridge gaps in understanding that data and logic alone cannot address.
For those looking to develop this crucial skill, I recommend practicing active listening, suspending judgment, and regularly putting yourself in others’ shoes. Engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, seek to understand different viewpoints, and always approach situations with curiosity rather than assumptions. These interactions will enrich your professional life while also helping you develop more meaningful connections.

2. Storytelling
Storytelling is the art of making your product memorable in a world of endless choices. A well-crafted story connects emotionally – transforming complex features into relatable benefits and differentiates your product in crowded markets. Facts and features often fade, but a compelling narrative sticks and spreads.

Take Apple’s iconic 1984 Super Bowl ad introducing the Macintosh. Instead of focusing on technical specifications, Apple told a larger, emotionally charged story of “breaking free from conformity.” This narrative positioned the Macintosh as more than just a computer, it was a tool for creative rebellion against the status quo. The story resonated so deeply that it’s still discussed decades later.
For those developing their storytelling skills, start by crafting narratives that align with your customer’s journey. Whether it’s a product launch, a case study, or a simple email, focus on the change your product enables. Remember, every feature has a story – your job is to make it relevant to your audience.

3. Data-backed Decision Making
The synergy between creativity and analytics is what separates good product marketing from great product marketing. While storytelling and empathy drive the emotional connection, data helps us validate assumptions, refine strategies, secure stakeholder buy-in, and measure success. In my experience, the most successful campaigns are those where creative intuition is validated by solid data.

Data informs everything from customer segmentation to campaign effectiveness to launch success. I’ve learned to let data challenge my assumptions – sometimes the market responds differently than expected, and having concrete metrics helps pivot strategies quickly and effectively.
For those early in their career, start with foundational metrics: conversion rates, customer lifetime value, adoption rates, and net promoter scores. Then progress to more sophisticated analysis like cohort analysis, attribution modeling, and predictive analytics. Develop comfort with A/B testing not just for copy and creative, but for positioning and value propositions. The deeper your understanding of data, the more confidently you can advocate for your strategies and demonstrate ROI.

The magic happens when these three skills converge – using empathy to understand needs, data to validate approaches, and storytelling to communicate value. This trifecta has been fundamental to every successful product launch and campaign I’ve led.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss is one book that I always go back to for both professional and personal insights. Its lessons on communication and human behaviour are incredibly relevant. Here are a few key takeaways:

1. Tactical Empathy
Making others feel genuinely understood is the cornerstone of successful negotiation and human connection. In my professional life, this skill has been crucial in customer interviews and stakeholder meetings, helping me build credibility and get to the heart of people’s needs. On a personal level, practicing tactical empathy has strengthened my relationships, as it encourages deeper listening and better communication.

2. Mirroring to Build Connection
The simple act of repeating the last few words someone says has proven to be remarkably powerful. In product marketing, this technique has helped me uncover crucial insights during customer research that might have otherwise remained hidden. When a customer says, “The interface is frustrating,” simply repeating “frustrating?” often leads them to elaborate on specific pain points we wouldn’t have discovered through direct questioning. In personal relationships, mirroring has become my go-to tool for deeper conversations. It’s amazing how this subtle technique can turn a surface-level chat into a meaningful dialogue.

3. “No” is the Beginning of the Conversation
Voss reframes “no” as the start of a conversation, not the end. Professionally, this has shifted my mindset when facing objections from customers or colleagues. It’s now an opportunity to explore their concerns and find better solutions. Personally, this mindset shift has made me more resilient and curious in the face of rejection, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for growth.

4. Calibrated Questions
The power of “how” and “what” questions has reframed my approach to problem-solving. Instead of asking “Why don’t you try this?” which can put people on the defensive, I’ve learned to ask “What makes this challenging for you?” or “How would you approach this?”. This leads to a more collaborative and innovative approach to anything. In personal relationships, these calibrated questions have helped navigate sensitive conversations and make joint decisions with much less friction.

What makes this book truly valuable is how its principles adapt to any context – from high-stakes business negotiations to everyday interactions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dikshaupadhyay.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dikshaupadhyay_/profilecard/?igsh=MW83em81NjRucTl1Yg==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dikshaupadhyay/
• Twitter: https://x.com/diksha170195

Image Credits

Diksha Upadhyay