While friends and family can provide emotional support, their feedback often lacks objectivity. They're naturally inclined to be supportive, which can lead to false validation of your business concept.
A goal that I start with is engaging with at least 20 potential customers in meaningful conversations. This number isn't arbitrary - it provides a statistically significant sample to identify patterns and validate market demand.
If you struggle to find 20 people willing to discuss their problems, it may indicate a lack of market demand or a need to refine your target audience.
Focus on understanding their pain points rather than pitching your solution. The goal is to gather insights about their current challenges and existing solutions.
The strongest validation of your business idea comes from actual payment intent. Consider these progressive validation milestones:
Each step closer to payment represents stronger validation. If customers are willing to commit financially, you've likely identified a genuine market need.
While all forms of validation are valuable, presales represent the gold standard in market validation. When customers are willing to pay for your product before it's fully developed, you've achieved the highest level of market validation possible.
Remember: A successful presale campaign not only validates your idea but also creates momentum and provides valuable feedback from your most committed customers.
After gathering this feedback, analyze patterns in responses and adjust your solution accordingly. Remember that validation is an ongoing process - continue to engage with customers as you develop and refine your product.