2. Talk to Humans Before Building Too Much
Do not spend three months secretly building something nobody requested. Talk to potential customers. Not five friends who want to be supportive. People who could actually buy the thing.
The Five-Question Customer Interview
- How do you handle this problem today?
- What is the most frustrating part?
- What have you already tried?
- What does solving this cost you now, in money, time or lost business?
- If something solved it well, what would make you actually switch or buy?
Do not spend the interview pitching. Listen. Then log the answers.
Minimum rule: have ten real conversations before convincing yourself you understand the market.
After that, show people something: a prototype, a menu, a sample, a landing page, a demo, a service package, a mockup. Then grade the reaction honestly.
| What they say | What it is worth |
|---|---|
| "That sounds cool." | Nothing |
| "I would use that." | A little |
| "How much?" | Something |
| "Where do I pay?" | Evidence |
Your job is to replace assumptions with observed behavior.