The Exact Process I Use to Validate New Side Project Ideas

1. Idea Generation: The first step in my process is generating a list of potential side project ideas. I typically do this by brainstorming and writing down any and all ideas that come to mind, without judgment. I might draw inspiration from my hobbies, interests, skills, or current trends. The goal is to come up with as many ideas as possible, no matter how crazy or unrealistic they may seem at first.
2. Research: Once I have a list of ideas, I start researching each one. I look into the market demand for the product or service, the competition, and any potential challenges or obstacles I might face. I also try to find out if there are any existing solutions to the problem I’m trying to solve, and if so, how I can differentiate my offering. This research helps me narrow down my list of ideas to a few that seem the most promising.
3. Hypothesis Testing: After narrowing down my list, I create a hypothesis for each of the remaining ideas. My hypothesis typically includes a statement about the problem I’m trying to solve, the solution I’m proposing, and the target audience I’m aiming for. I then test my hypothesis by conducting surveys, interviews, or focus groups with potential customers. I ask them about their pain points, their needs and wants, and their willingness to pay for my product or service. The feedback I receive helps me refine my ideas and determine which ones have the most potential.
4. Prototype Creation: Once I’ve identified the most promising idea, I create a prototype. This could be a simple mockup, a minimum viable product (MVP), or a working model of my product or service. The goal of the prototype is to test my idea in the real world and get feedback from actual users. I use this feedback to make improvements and iterate on my prototype until I’m satisfied with the results.
5. Launch and Iteration: Finally, I launch my side project and start collecting data and feedback from users. I use this data to identify areas for improvement and make changes to my product or service as needed. I also continue to monitor the market and stay up – to – date on any new trends or developments that could impact my project. By constantly iterating and improving, I increase the chances of my side project being successful.

I’ve used this process to validate several side projects over the years, and it has helped me save time and money by avoiding ideas that have no market demand or are too competitive. By following these steps, I’m able to focus my efforts on the ideas that have the most potential and increase the likelihood of success for my side projects.

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