Do you validate your ideas before building?
Hey everyone 👋
I know this is the process promoted by most Indie Hackers, so I was just looking for some more information.
If you validate your idea before even writing a line of code. I'm curious, how do you do this?
What process do you usually follow & what tools do you use?
Also, I know this will probably change based on the idea, but what metrics do you look at to confirm your idea is worth pursuing further?
I'm sure these questions will have been answered several times over, so if you have any links for further reading, they would be appreciated.
Thanks
Trending on Indie Hackers
Hi Joel,
Yes, there is a process for doing this. Assuming your looking to monetise your idea, the way I recommend is as follows:
Frame your idea in the context of a Job to be done... How does your idea help someone/some-organisation get a job done? If you're not familiar with JTBD check out this video from the late great Clay Christensen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfGtw2C95Ms
Use a lean canvas to create a model for your idea (if you don't know how to do this, check out the book from the inventor of the canvas - Running Lean by Ash Maurya)
I'd highly recommend checking out the resources on LeanStack.com that help you understand how to complete a Lean Canvas, and build a traction roadmap.
Build a traction roadmap, based on your minimum success criteria. If your target with the product idea is to generate say $1m within 5 years, this tool will help you work backwards from your target goal and breakdown how many customers you will need based on your price point, and how many new customers you need to replace churned customers etc. etc. It will work back to identifying the number of daily visitors you need to your site/store just to convert them into the required active customers.
The traction roadmap is also available on LeanStack.com
Identify the riskiest parts of you idea, then systematically set about validating them.
Turn you assumptions into experiments. Build a validation plan, then execute your experiments to collect the data you need to determine if your idea will work or not. If you invalidate parts of your business model, you may need to pivot. Try another customer segment, or try a different solution to fix the customer problem etc.
A lot of the concepts for the latter stages are available in the book Scaling Lean, Ash Maurya.
I recommend the book Testing Business Ideas, Wiley, Alex Osterwalder too.
The part where the rubber hits the road is when you start speaking to customers or observing their problems online. The Mom Test is a must read, and I highly recommend 30x500.com to learn the Sales Safari technique taught by Amy Hoy (expensive course, but just register for the waiting list, and they will send you lots of decent actionable content without having to pay). It's worth looking at their podcast too, Stacking Bricks.
Other resources:
If you get stuck along the way, feel free to reach out, I'd be more than happy to help. I help startups, and I've joined this community to give back so can lend some time if you need.
Good Luck!
Really appreciate you taking the time to comment. This is just what I was looking for. Thanks for providing me stuff to read into further.
I read Lean Startup awhile back, think I need a refresher. I will be sure to give you a follow and give you a shout if I need any more advice.
No problemo! I tried and struggled to implement Lean Startup just from reading the book, its not really an implementation guide. Took me a few years to figure it all out.
I've been toying with the idea of running free weekly 1:1 coaching for indiehackers, I could probably run 3-4 a week. I think I could help others and would learn a lot myself too. If you're interested just give me a shout and be happy to help. No strings, no funnel, no up sell. Just straight up helping each other out in the spirit of boot-strapping.
That sounds like a great idea. I know there will be plenty of people in the community, including myself that would really appreciate the help. I'll definitely consider that proposition.
What have you worked on previously? I would love to check it out.
Hi @JoelPickin, just give me a shout whenever, be happy to help. I put a post up offering my help, feel free to check it out, https://www.indiehackers.com/post/free-1-1-weekly-coaching-to-validate-your-ideas-cf9db0efa5.
I’ll try and pull some articles together too and share some lessons learned in this group.
Here’s something I’m working on at the moment. It’s a health and well-being app. The creators of the Talk It Out technique have been teaching it for years. It helps clear your subconscious and untangle your thinking and emotions. There’s been some research done by a university that back up the claims of improved mental well-being.
The creator wanted to reach as many people as they could, and the only way to scale that goal was through some form of digital means. The app launches in Feb/Mar next year.
https://talkitout.app/
For B2B solutions it's key to talk to potential users, so you have a better understanding of their needs, purchase drivers, if they pay for solving their pains, etc.
Thank you for the response.
How do you usually approach the potential customers? Do you cold call/email? Do you post in relevant social groups/reddits?
Same questions for D2C?
I always try to connect people that I know or are close to my network, asking for an introduction for example.
In case you want to reach people outside of your industry and network, first consider if it makes sense to start something that is outside of your expertise area.
Obviously, this is based on my own experience. ;)
This comment was deleted 2 years ago.
That is perfect! Thanks for providing so much value in a response! It really is appreciated.
I will give you a follow and check out more of what you have to offer.
This comment was deleted 2 years ago.