Listening to Users to Validate Ideas

Still in the series on validating ideas for startups, this article will complete it previous series which groups the validation of ideas into three main stages: (1) writing or grouping ideas, (2) evaluating by asking some initial questions, and (3) going directly to the field to get a real picture of the response from the idea.

Ideas themselves can come from anywhere, so they need to be grouped. What distinguishes one idea from another is its suitability for a solution. That's why ideas need to be validated.

Early stage validation

There are many ways to validate existing ideas, some of them by solving the questions described in the previous series or using board or canvas to help brainstorming and find out if the idea is worth executing.

Menggunakan board or canvas can help map the mindset of ideas. Both can clarify the position of the problem, solution and user needs. Including mapping the existing risks.

If in the early stages, another way that can be done is to meet face to face one on one with the target user to understand pain points or the solution they want. This is part of going straight into the field. This approach can be done personally, for example your target users are entrepreneurs who need automation in the field of data collection, you can go to one of the businesses to hear what they need or what they complain about. At this point the more listening the better.

Another way to get feedback from target users is to join communities both on social media and offline. The first way might be a solution to reach more target users.

Ask not only about solutions, but also how they respond to prices, payment methods to the type of subscription they at least expect. Understanding the needs of this target user can be the main ingredient for developing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

Before building MVP

There is a lot to prepare before stepping into MVP. An idea must first "pass" before it just becomes something of a disappointment. Features, prices, and all sorts of early products can be gained from talks and evaluations in the early stages, but that alone is not enough.

Before actually deciding to execute an idea, try to gain insight from those who expert in the industry you want to target. Discussions about trends, culture and of course the development of the industry from year to year can be a very building capital. Startups are very close to innovation, and innovation will be very closely related if it is very close to previous developments.

The next thing you can do is look for partners, if you are someone who has the expertise to create programs you can look for partners from the industry you want to target or those who understand marketing strategies. On the other hand, if you start from an expert in the field who is looking for a technology-based solution but is hampered by mastering the technology itself, then look for a partner developer.

It should be underlined that colleagues here are not those who are invited to develop joint ideas, but are limited to colleagues to validate existing ideas. Of course it would be better if they were well known people.

The next thing that can complete in the idea validation stage is to complete it with business plan, or simply setting up a source of income from a business. This is of course mandatory, if the idea you are preparing is intended to be developed for business.

source: Medium Founder Playbook, entrepreneur