I went straight into an analogy about newspaper ads and lost the thread pretty fast.
Use a relatable analogy that simplifies digital advertising into a familiar concept, like a community bulletin board or a personalized shopping assistant. Focus on the core idea of connecting businesses with people who are likely interested in their products, and highlight how data enables this personalization. Keep the explanation non-technical and emphasize the value exchange: free content in exchange for seeing relevant ads.
Pro tip: Show that you can tailor your communication to any audience, a key product management skill, by using a concrete example your grandmother would understand, like a local bakery reaching neighbors. This demonstrates empathy and the ability to simplify complex ideas without losing the essence.
Compare digital advertising to something your grandmother knows, such as a newspaper ad or a town crier, but explain how it's personalized for each person.
Describe the purpose: to help businesses find customers and to keep online services free for users.
Explain that websites remember what you like (like a shopkeeper who knows your preferences) to show ads that are more relevant to you.
Mention that companies like Meta give you controls over your data and that ads help support free services, without diving into technical details.
Summarize how it benefits everyone: businesses grow, people discover new products, and services remain free.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.