1. Define the Problem Clearly

Before anything else, write down:

• Who has the problem?

• What exactly is the problem?

• How painful or urgent is it?

Tip:
The sharper you define the problem, the easier it becomes to test if people care.
Example:
Instead of “People need better fitness apps,” say, “Busy professionals need quick 15-minute workouts they can do at home without equipment.”

2. Talk to Real People (Not Just Friends)

The most underrated hack: talk to your target users.
Conduct short interviews (10–15 mins) or casual conversations.
Ask questions like:

• "What’s your biggest struggle with [problem]?"

• "How are you solving it right now?"

• "Would you pay for a solution? How much?"

Warning:
Avoid pitching your idea during these chats — just listen.
You’re a detective, not a salesperson (yet).

3. Launch a Minimum Viable Offer (MVO)

Forget building a full product. Instead, create a fast, dirty version:

• A landing page

• A short video

• A one-pager PDF

• A quick prototype (Figma, no-code, etc.)

The goal? See if people will sign up, pre-order, or show strong interest before you build the real thing.

Tools you can use:

• Carrd.co (for quick landing pages)

• Figma (for app mockups)

• Google Forms (for surveys)

4. Run Small Paid Ads

If you have $50–$100 to spare, run micro ad campaigns on:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Google

Target your exact audience and drive traffic to your landing page.
Track:

• Click-through rate (CTR)

• Sign-ups

• Pre-orders

If nobody clicks? Your idea (or messaging) might need tweaking.
If people are excited? You’re onto something.

5. Look for Pre-Commitments, Not Just Compliments

Everyone says they like ideas.
Validation happens when people:

• Give their email

• Pre-pay

• Sign up for a waitlist

• Book a call

• Spend their time or money

Action > Words.
If you’re only hearing, "This sounds cool," but no one commits, it's a red flag.

6. Analyze Competitors Smartly

Competitors aren’t a bad sign — they prove there’s a market.
Study:

• What are competitors doing well?

• Where are users complaining?

• What gaps can you exploit?

Bonus move:
Join their communities (like Facebook groups, Reddit, Discord servers) and silently observe what real customers love and hate.

7. Use the “Fake Door” Test

Create a button like “Get Early Access” or “Pre-Order Now” on your site.
When someone clicks, show a message like:

"Thanks! We’re launching soon. Leave your email."

Track how many people click.
High clicks = high interest.

(It's called a "fake door" because users think the product exists, but you’re actually testing demand.)

8. Timebox Your Validation

Don’t let validation drag on for months.
Give yourself a deadline, like 30 days, to:

• Talk to X people

• Run Y ads

• Collect Z signups

If you hit your goals, double down.
If you don’t, either pivot your idea or kill it quickly.
Speed wins.

Final Thoughts

Great startups aren’t born from good ideas; they’re born from validated ones.
Validation isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a mindset.
It’s about falling in love with the problem (not your solution), moving fast, and staying brutally honest with yourself.

Remember: Failing fast is a win, because it frees you to chase better ideas.