{"id":2011,"date":"2023-09-25T14:36:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T14:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecinnovates.com\/?p=2011"},"modified":"2023-09-27T18:09:17","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T18:09:17","slug":"dont-blindly-build-your-idea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecinnovates.com\/dont-blindly-build-your-idea\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Blindly Build Your Idea"},"content":{"rendered":"
In 10+ years of working with startups, I\u2019ve seen thousands of concepts. My initial meetings with founders have ranged from scaling businesses with multi-billion dollar valuations to a founder with little more than an idea on a whiteboard and everything in between. Over the years, one of the most common\u2014and costly\u2014mistakes I\u2019ve seen comes down to this: building a product based solely on <\/span>your<\/span><\/i> idea.<\/span><\/p>\n What does this mean? Ideas are great, but they\u2019re just a fraction of what it takes to create a valuable business. What really matters is finding an urgent customer problem so you can define a solution that addresses their needs. This is product-market fit, and it\u2019s the most essential first step in starting your company. If you\u2019re building a product based on your idea\u2014and ignoring customer input\u2014you\u2019re leaving a lot to chance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of the most gut-wrenching moments you can have with a founder is being in the room when they realize the product they\u2019ve built\u2014spending hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars\u2014is worthless in the eyes of their target customer. But, when it\u2019s done right, entrepreneurs can get their business started and even pay for the build of the product with customer revenue from the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are five ways to validate your idea to ensure the journey to building a product has a customer at the other end.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n In conclusion, don\u2019t just blindly build something that reflects your idea. This is the lazy path; no easy button exists to create a great product and business. Talk to your market. Take the time to do the work and find the truth about what your market needs. Your future customers\u2014and your future self\u2014will thank you for the effort.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In 10+ years of working with startups, I\u2019ve seen thousands of concepts. My initial meetings with founders have ranged from scaling businesses…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDefine the Problem and Solution in Simple Terms<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
Define the Target Market<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
Conduct Primary Market Research<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
Analyze Feedback and Repeat<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
Don\u2019t Build Until You Hear the Market \u201cPull\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n