How to Validate an Idea During This Crisis?
So I had an idea which had dropped down my ideas list (everyone on here has an ideas list right? :-D). However, this crisis has shown (to me anyway) that there is definitely a market for it.
However, people's focus is quite rightly elsewhere just now, so generally how am I going to get a response / sample size? Anyone finding a lack of interest in general for their ideas / landing pages / products?
More critically, I am very sensitive to where we are at just now. While my idea is not trading on the misery of the COVID-19 virus, it is perhaps strengthened by it. Should I leave it a while? Should I continue with the product development until the time is more appropriate?
I'm interested in everyone's take on this.
To be honest it sounds like you're overthinking this and making excuses about why you shouldn't do whatever it is that you want to do. More than likely, whatever reasons you've come up with in your head not going to be reality.
Without knowing your actual idea is very difficult to give specific answers the questions you're asking. However, I think the next step is to keep digging deeper and asking more questions.
Let's break down the thoughts you've mentioned so far:
# People's focus is quite rightly elsewhere just now.
This is an assumption. You don't really know if it's true or not. The whole point of validating your idea is to find out if your assumptions are true.
# How am I going to get a response / sample size?
This is a fair question if you're going to take it seriously. Getting a response is easy if you ask the right questions. If you don't ask the right questions, worst case, you'll get nothing and you try something else. Now ask yourself, what is the right question?
# Anyone finding a lack of interest in general for their ideas / landing pages / products?
This happens that's okay. It's part of the validation process. However, you actually need to tell people your idea, show them your landing page or get them using your product to really gauge if there's really a lack of interest. You won't really know if there's a lack of interest until you try.
# Should I leave it a while?
What's the worst case scenario? What are you really afraid of? If you told people this idea and they got upset about it how would that change things for you? Can you find out people's reactions anonymously?
I don't know the answer to these questions any more than I know if you should leave it a while but my guess is that the reality will be much less severe than you imagine.
# Should I continue with the product development until the time is more appropriate?
When will that be? Will you miss an opportunity by waiting too long? What are you going to use as an indicator that the time is right?
The general advice here is that waiting for the right time is like trying to predict the future, you just can't do it.
Wow - what a great, detailed response Dylan, thank you.
And to be honest, I can't argue with any of it. Perhaps I am still hiding behind excuses. This might be a good kick up the butt.
thanks again
Are you dealing with a physical product or an online offering? Why do you think people would be hesitant to answer such questions? If anything, they have more time to burn - so if you ask nicely, they'll likely answer nicely.
Its an information product + SaaS offering.
Its a fair point @ovi, I just think that while people have time to burn, people are rightfully distracted, trying to conserve every penny & other things will be of higher priority
What does 'response/sample size' mean to you? What exactly do you expect a potential user to do? This is not very clear in your OP. Other things are of highest priority at this exact moment in time, but 7 days from now we'll be over the COVID news and looking to distract our brains with anything but.
Sorry, probably haven't explained myself well.
I just mean if I put up a landing page to validate my idea, its difficult enough to direct traffic at the best of times (my perception at least) nevermind at a time when the world is in meltdown.
This is what I meant by response/sample size.
You make a good point re. people getting fatigued by the COVID news
you explained fine, it was the 'conserve every penny' that threw me off. I think there are more eyes-on-screens with people sitting at home, meaning more chances to get the attention of those who would otherwise be busy with life (as we used to know it : )
I hadn't considered it from that perspective. Thanks @ovi!
Just noticed a similar thread here: https://www.indiehackers.com/post/business-ideas-born-in-this-lockdown-e4ee1aae37
mmm...perhaps my view on this is different from everyone else?
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