How to validate a book idea when you don't have any followers?

Real validation comes when people are actively entering their credit card numbers to buy your product. Try pre-selling the book.

@charlieharris I run www.tractionmate.com and have worked on pre-launch audience building for a few projects. Though never worked on a book pre-launch, the principles would be simialr. Ping me if you want to talk more on this to explore further.

Never done this before, so cant attest to being able to give you advice from my own personal experience. However, I came across this article, which is pretty high level and backs up the advice below.

The one thing I would say however, is that building your audience is key. The best way to do that is to get your message out there. Find people that need and want the information you intend to put into your book, and help them. Creating a blog I think is almost essential if your going to write a book. Do you have one?

https://www.joshsteimle.com/influence/how-build-audience-buy-book.html

Try searching google for "how to build an audience for your book", lots of search results pop up!

It seems that you've taken the right step to reach out to your potential audience, so that's great.

You've also put up a Pre-order button which can test whether there are serious customers, that's great as well.

However, for someone to spend that money, they'll need to have some form of proof that you can deliver the goods.

That means you'll need either social proof (others saying the you've got the goods), or physical proof (by showing the content that you can deliver).

Authors need a platform these days - many people develop their book in the open. Many books are freely readable in browser, and still sell. As most authors can't count on book as the sole income, they need publicity first and foremost before money kicks in.

My suggestion would be to consider the following:

• add email capturing, which is cheaper to identify interest than pre-selling.
• add at least a few sample chapters so people can see your goods.
• potentially consider writing the book in the open, via either doing this as a blog, or potentially use platforms like leanpub (not affiliated) or alternatives.

My 2 cents, hope it helps.

ps - the green is really bright. I almost closed the tab on instinct. This is of course personal taste, but just thought to share that not everyone would enjoy that color.

Are you confident that the 8 people will literally pay you when the book is available?

When you don't have any audience, why don't you spend time building your audience?

I like the topic you're curating and now I know you because of your post here on IH.

You're in the right direction.

You could take people a long the ride by learning them pay for early access. Sending them drafts etc so they don’t have to wait until you have written the whole book. If nobody is interested then you probably won’t have to write the book.

How about giving a try in non-tech founders subreddit (if there is one like that)?