Try to avoid these mistakes when you validate your idea:

🍄 Confusing market research with validation: Market research shows there's demand, but it doesn’t confirm your product is the right solution for this demand. Market research is a starting point, not the end game. Validation means real customers will buy your product, not just that a market exists.

🍂 Not defining your audience: Know who your target buyer is. Be precise about their characteristics. Speaking to the wrong audience gives misleading results—too positive or too negative. Define your audience and target the right people for accurate feedback.

🦑 Asking the wrong questions: Avoid vague, leading questions like, “Do you like this product?” Focus on specific, actionable insights. Ask about pain points, use cases, and willingness to switch from current solutions. Hard questions yield valuable answers.

🦥 Talking to people you know: Friends and acquaintances often give biased feedback. They want to please you or may not think critically. Seek out unbiased, independent opinions to get honest and constructive feedback.

🌵 Not asking about willingness to buy: It's not enough for users to like your product—they need to be willing to pay for it. During validation, ask potential users if they would purchase your product. If they’re not ready to pay, your product may not be ready.

🦦 Missing out on recruiting beta users: Use validation to get early adopters. If people show interest and want to commit, turn them into beta users or first customers. Their feedback can improve your product and impress investors.

Stay open to feedback and avoid being defensive.