Idea to Launch
Validate, build, ship. Go from a napkin sketch to your first paying users.
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Problem Validation
Before writing a single line of code, make sure someone actually has the problem you think they do. Talk to at least 20 potential customers. Ask about their current workflow, what frustrates them, and how they solve it today. If you can't find 20 people who care, pivot early.
Customer Discovery
Once you have a problem worth solving, get specific about who has it worst. Build a customer persona based on real conversations, not assumptions. Identify your beachhead market — the smallest group of people who will pay you the most and talk about you the loudest.
MVP Scoping
Your MVP is the smallest thing you can build that tests your core assumption. It's not a prototype with every feature — it's the one feature that matters. Scope ruthlessly. If you can test your hypothesis with a spreadsheet and a landing page, do that first.
Landing Page & Waitlist
Before you build the product, build demand. A well-crafted landing page can validate interest, collect emails, and give you a captive audience for launch day. Focus on a clear headline, one CTA, and social proof if you have it.
First 10 Users
Your first users won't come from a launch. They'll come from conversations. Reach out individually to the people you interviewed during validation. Offer them early access. Do things that don't scale — manual onboarding, personal emails, concierge-level support. These users will become your evangelists.
Pricing Strategy
Pricing is not a math problem — it's a positioning decision. Price based on the value you deliver, not your costs. Start higher than you think and offer discounts to early adopters. You can always lower prices; raising them is harder. Test 2-3 pricing tiers and see what sticks.