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Should I do THIS before testing?

Create drawing/mock first or launch the survey without drawing/mock?

  • Mock/drawing

    Votes: 1 100.0%
  • Just the survey

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    1

Razdaz87

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Hi guys.The past couple days, I’ve been going back and forth on how best to test my product idea. I’m leaning towards an online survey to try and get some type of feedback on how my target audience would feel about it. I’m just not sure whether I should have some type of drawing, sketching or mock prototype so my target audience would have something tangible to see. My product is similar to this, but I have ideas on how to make it better. So should I try and get some product sketches done, or will a survey asking great questions without anything tangible gather enough feedback about the product? I know I should just decide and take action, but I want to do it the right way to get useful feedback to move forward. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to chime in. Thanks guys.
 
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journeyman

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A survey is quite unlikely to give you meaningful data. Lots of people will say that they like the product, but if time to buy came, they would never open their wallet.

Instead, do an actual validation as if you already had the product. More here .

No approach will give you a failsafe answer, but I think you are better off measuring how many people actually take out their hard-earned money and give it to you...
 

Fpm9

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Do you have a website yet ? If so, maybe you could design a landing page where you collect email addresses, and give a discount code in return. Post pictures of your prototype, and say that it will be available soon.
 

Razdaz87

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Do you have a website yet ? If so, maybe you could design a landing page where you collect email addresses, and give a discount code in return. Post pictures of your prototype, and say that it will be available soon.
No I don’t. I was thinking more about a survey to gain insights into the market to see if it’s something the market would want. If yes, then I would do what you recommended.
 
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Fpm9

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No I don’t. I was thinking more about a survey to gain insights into the market to see if it’s something the market would want. If yes, then I would do what you recommended.

Yeah I've done this to get feedback from the market, before investing more time and money into my product. I wanted to run a few targeted facebook ads to get traffic on my landing page, to see if some people would click the ad and be interested in the product.
 

Razdaz87

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Yeah I've done this to get feedback from the market, before investing more time and money into my product. I wanted to run a few targeted facebook ads to get traffic on my landing page, to see if some people would click the ad and be interested in the product.
How did it work out for you?
 

Fpm9

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How did it work out for you?

I had some positive feedback, but not as much as expected.. But I saw good signs somewhere else and no real red flag, so I went with my gut. I have not invested much money so the risks are pretty low in case of failure.
 
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RobD88

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Hi guys.The past couple days, I’ve been going back and forth on how best to test my product idea. I’m leaning towards an online survey to try and get some type of feedback on how my target audience would feel about it. I’m just not sure whether I should have some type of drawing, sketching or mock prototype so my target audience would have something tangible to see. My product is similar to this, but I have ideas on how to make it better. So should I try and get some product sketches done, or will a survey asking great questions without anything tangible gather enough feedback about the product? I know I should just decide and take action, but I want to do it the right way to get useful feedback to move forward. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to chime in. Thanks guys.


So my personal thing with your product idea is that I think it is a good idea but I would want to feel it, use it, see it in action before I made a purchase. The closest you are going to come to that online is a video. My suggestion is create a website with a video of how the product works. If you don't have physical samples do a 3D digital mock up video. If you can get some prototypes go to some trade shows where business people are and demo the product.
 

SvvyDO

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Your first time validating the idea will take the longest because you have to learn everything (landing pages, marketing, minimum viable product, how to throw up ads, etc.), but once you get through it the first time it'll be easier because you'll already have the skill set.

But I agree, surveys aren't always the best decision.

Mock up a minimum viable product (sample chapters for information product, bare bone app with the most basic functions for an app, or sample prototypes for ecommerce), and work on landing your first sale.
 

Razdaz87

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So my personal thing with your product idea is that I think it is a good idea but I would want to feel it, use it, see it in action before I made a purchase. The closest you are going to come to that online is a video. My suggestion is create a website with a video of how the product works. If you don't have physical samples do a 3D digital mock up video. If you can get some prototypes go to some trade shows where business people are and demo the product.
Yes I agree 100%. I’ve been in contact with a product sketch designer to try and get some mock ups done. It’s taking a little longer than expected. Thanks for your input. Know if any good places on the web to get mock ups done? I’ve been trying Upwork and Fiverr but haven’t had any luck so far.
 
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Razdaz87

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Your first time validating the idea will take the longest because you have to learn everything (landing pages, marketing, minimum viable product, how to throw up ads, etc.), but once you get through it the first time it'll be easier because you'll already have the skill set.

But I agree, surveys aren't always the best decision.

Mock up a minimum viable product (sample chapters for information product, bare bone app with the most basic functions for an app, or sample prototypes for ecommerce), and work on landing your first sale.
Thanks for your input. I’m trying to get some mock ups done this week. Having a hard time finding a good product mock up designer. If all else fails, I’ll get my hands dirty and try to make a prototype myself. I actually just ordered some product to experiment with.
 

RobD88

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Yes I agree 100%. I’ve been in contact with a product sketch designer to try and get some mock ups done. It’s taking a little longer than expected. Thanks for your input. Know if any good places on the web to get mock ups done? I’ve been trying Upwork and Fiverr but haven’t had any luck so far.

You are using the sources I would try. You could google graphic design houses in your area. Have a local resource may be of value. Or you could go to Udemy and take a graphics software course and try you hand at it yourself.
 

Razdaz87

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You are using the sources I would try. You could google graphic design houses in your area. Have a local resource may be of value. Or you could go to Udemy and take a graphics software course and try you hand at it yourself.
I actually just hired someone on Fiverr. I’ll have my sketches soon. Looking forward to seeing the work. Thanks for your help.
 
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kahring88

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I actually just hired someone on Fiverr. I’ll have my sketches soon. Looking forward to seeing the work. Thanks for your help.

With sketches in hand, what is your next step?

I also agree that a survey would be a waste of time for you.
How much money do you think it will cost to get a working prototype?
I feel your idea is good but would be better sold in person while a customer can test drive it.
I would be interested in seeing it as well.
 

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Dear RazDaz

1) You work in a bank that has a formal dress code.

Therefore that is one of your target audiences. You don't need an online survey. You can gauge quick interest simply by asking your colleagues next week. Ok? :smile2:

2) This is just my opinion on the prototype. You don't need one.

Huh? Ok, this is why I wrote that. Basically 100% of people do not have a product that solves this 'problem.' I am basing this on 11 reviewers plus the founders plus their immediate friends and family divided by 7 billion people x 100

So it is safe to say no one you know or work with has seen this type of thing.

Therefore, what I would do is this. Buy the easycuffs thing and then do point 1) above with it.

Go round the office and ask if anyone would buy it and what they would pay for it. Then go to a couple of other work environments and do the same thing.

If no one wants to buy it then there probably is not much of a market for yours either. If lots of people say they would buy it then yes you have just sold a few of someone else's product but so what? At least you know there is a viable market for getting your own out there.

3) Last thing. This might be a big clue as to what I think overall. Ignore me though. Ask someone in the army or police how to roll your shirt sleeve. You are probably going cuff roll, roll, roll rather than double cuff length then halve that. You're welcome. :smile2:

Dan
 

Razdaz87

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With sketches in hand, what is your next step?

I also agree that a survey would be a waste of time for you.
How much money do you think it will cost to get a working prototype?
I feel your idea is good but would be better sold in person while a customer can test drive it.
I would be interested in seeing it as well.
Hey thanks for commenting.
So for my next steps, I was planning on getting a video made explaining the benefits and how to use it. I was going to set up a landing page to collect email addresses so when I launch, I have a customer base.

I’ve thought about getting a working prototype. But I wanted to make sure there was a big enough market. I understand what you’re saying about people needing to try it. Maybe if I collect enough email adresses, I could send out sample prototypes to those subscribers for them to try it? And then gain feedback and make the product better using that knowledge?
 
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