Founders are idea people. We love coming up with ideas. What we don’t like is taking the time to validate offers.
The common assumption is if the idea is good, it will sell. But the truth is, plenty of great ideas flop.
It’s not because they’re unoriginal or uninspired. It’s because they were built in a vacuum.
Here’s what usually happens:
You come up with an idea you love. You get excited. You imagine the lives it will change. You invest time, energy, maybe even money into building it out. And when you finally launch it into the world…
Crickets.
This isn’t about copywriting or even visibility—it’s about relevance.
No one wants your new offer. Or more accurately, you haven’t proven they want it.
Let me share a quick example.
A few years ago, I launched a book-writing course. I called it Author-ity and built it out beautifully. It included everything someone would need to write, publish, and promote a bestselling book. I poured hours into crafting the curriculum.
The problem? I never asked my audience if they wanted it.
They didn’t. Not really. They liked the idea, but they didn’t see it as a top priority.
That launch taught me an expensive but essential lesson: The best ideas in your head don’t matter if no one says yes with their wallet.
Need help taking your offer to market? I specialize in revenue-first strategies that get your product in front of your ideal customers.
What Does It Mean to Validate Offers?
Most creators confuse validation with feedback.
They ask friends, “Would you buy this?” or run polls in their social feeds. They get positive signals—likes, enthusiastic comments, people saying “This looks great!”
And then they launch… and nothing happens.
To validate offers, don’t list for interest. Listen for intent to buy.
Validation = Money.
If someone buys—or commits to buying—that is validation.
Here’s a better definition:
Offer validation means you show your offer to potential buyers to understand whether you’re solving a problem they care about, how they talk about the problem, and whether they’d be interested in your solution.
More importantly, it’s the fastest way to:
- Find your offer-market fit
- Test your messaging and positioning
- Learn what not to build
Let’s say you’re launching a 6-week program to help small business owners with systems and automation. You love the concept. You’ve sketched the modules. You’ve even started designing the logo.
But you haven’t talked to a single business owner.
Validation would look like:
- Asking your list what their biggest time-suck is
- Hosting a free call or live Q&A about business automation
- Offering a beta version of your program at a discounted price
Even better? Sending a pre-sale email:
“Thinking about creating a 6-week systems accelerator for founders who want to reduce manual work and reclaim 10+ hours/week. Would you be interested in something like that? If yes, reply or DM me.”
If you get no replies, that’s feedback. If you get several replies and people ask when it starts, you’ve got something.
3 Smart Ways to Validate Offers
You don’t need a funnel. You don’t need a website. You just need conversations and a willingness to listen.
1. Soft Pitches
Share your idea casually with your warmest audience: past clients, colleagues, subscribers.
Say, “I’m thinking about offering this…” and see what happens.
Ask follow-up questions: “What would make this a no-brainer for you?” or “What’s missing from what you’ve seen before?”
2. Pre-Sell It
If the feedback is encouraging, invite people to buy early access. Offer a founder’s discount or add a bonus for early buyers.
You don’t need 100 sales. A handful is enough to prove you’re solving a real problem.
3. Run a Live Pilot
Test the concept as a one-day workshop or short beta. This is especially powerful for courses, group programs, or new services.
It gives you:
- Real-time feedback
- Testimonials
- A chance to refine your content before going big
This approach saved one of my clients from building a 12-week course no one wanted. We tested a 2-hour workshop version first. No one signed up. So we pivoted the angle—and that new version filled up within days.
Signals to Look For
Red Flags
- “This looks cool” but no purchase
- Vague praise without commitment
- Polite interest that fades away
These aren’t rejections—but they aren’t validation.
Green Lights
- “When can I sign up?”
- “Will you let me know when this is live?”
- Immediate purchases, even without all the details
- Friends referring other friends to the idea
The clearer the yes, the better the fit.
What to Do If You Don’t Get Sales
First, don’t panic.
This doesn’t mean your offer is worthless—it means it’s unproven.
Here’s what to do:
- Review your messaging: Are you clearly solving a problem? Is the outcome specific?
- Change the packaging: Maybe people don’t want a course—but would pay for a VIP day.
- Ask follow-up questions: “What would make this feel more valuable?”
Your job is to adjust until the yeses start coming.
Prove It Before You Build It
Launching a new offer isn’t easy. In crowded markets, it’s easy to believe you need a flawless product to stand out.
But nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s not the perfect solution that sells — it’s the smart strategy.
When you validate offers in advance, you save time. You save money. Most importantly, you confirm you’re building something people already want.
Your growth path?
Personal clarity → professional messaging → business momentum.
Thinking of launching something this year? Book a quick call to talk it through. You might be closer than you think.
