How to Validate If Your Idea Has a Real Market

You’ve got an idea. Maybe it’s a product, a service, a course, or a blog. It sounds exciting—but one question stops you:

“Will anyone actually pay for this?”

The smartest thing you can do before spending time and money is to validate your idea. In this article, I’ll show you how to confirm if your idea solves a real problem and has a real audience—without building the full thing first.

Step 1: Clarify the Problem You’re Solving

Every successful business solves a problem. Ask:

What problem does my idea solve?
Who experiences this problem regularly?
How do they try to solve it today?
Why isn’t that working for them?

🎯 Example:
You’re not “selling a planner.”
You’re helping busy freelancers avoid missing deadlines and feeling overwhelmed.

Step 2: Identify a Specific Audience

Your idea needs a target. Not “everyone.”

Use this format:

I help [specific person] who struggles with [specific problem] to achieve [specific outcome].

Examples:

“I help new moms build meal routines that reduce stress.”
“I help junior designers land freelance clients without a portfolio.”
“I help introverted coaches show up confidently online.”

Specificity attracts. Vague repels.

Step 3: Talk to Real People (Not Just Friends)

Start with conversations—not code, websites, or design.

Reach out to people on Instagram, LinkedIn, or WhatsApp
Join Facebook groups or Telegram communities
Ask people in your network who match your audience

Ask:

“What’s your biggest struggle with X?”
“Have you tried to solve this before?”
“What would make it easier for you?”
“Would you pay for a solution that did [X]?”

💬 Aim for 5–10 honest conversations.

Step 4: Post Online to Gauge Interest

Test your idea with value-driven posts like:

A tip or myth related to the problem
A “before/after” transformation story
A question (e.g. “What’s your biggest challenge with X?”)
A casual teaser: “Thinking of creating [X]—would that help anyone here?”

Watch how people respond. DMs, comments, or silence all offer clues.

Step 5: Offer a Beta Version to Test the Market

Instead of launching something perfect, offer:

A free or discounted version of your product
A 1:1 version of your course or offer
A short-term coaching call or audit
A downloadable PDF or tool

Say:

“I’m testing this and offering it to 3–5 people in exchange for feedback. Want in?”

✅ You get users
✅ They get help
✅ You get clarity

Step 6: Ask for (and Use) Feedback

At the end of your beta test, ask:

What worked?
What was confusing or missing?
What would make this more valuable?
Would you pay for this again?
Would you recommend it?

Use this feedback to refine your offer—or pivot entirely if needed.

Step 7: Check If People Are Already Paying for Similar Solutions

Competitors are a good sign—they mean there’s demand.

Look for:

Courses, books, or templates on your topic
People offering services around that problem
Ads or influencers in the space

Instead of copying, ask:

“How can I do this with a different tone, method, or niche?”

Step 8: Validate with Pre-Sales or Waitlists

If you’ve gathered interest, test commitment with:

A waitlist using Google Forms or Notion
A simple Gumroad product page
A pre-order discount
A “DM me to reserve your spot” post

People paying—or signing up to hear more—is real proof.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Build—Validate

Don’t spend months creating something you hope people want.

✅ Get clear on the problem
✅ Talk to real people
✅ Offer a simple solution
✅ Test before building

That’s how real businesses start—not with perfect plans, but with validated problems and real conversations.

andrea dos santos