Something I've noticed this week

Four people came to me in the last week alone with an app idea.

Not just a concept scribbled on a napkin - something they'd already built. Quickly. Confidently. Using Claude.

And if I'm seeing four in one week on the Sunshine Coast, I think it's safe to assume this is happening everywhere.

AI has made building things faster and more accessible than ever before. That's genuinely exciting.

But there's a problem nobody is talking about loudly enough.

Fast to build doesn't mean anyone actually wants it.

The question to ask before you build one more thing

Before you invest any more time, money or energy into your creation - you need to know one thing.

Is your audience willing to put money on the line for this?

Not "oh that sounds interesting." Not a polite smile on a Zoom call.

Actually willing to pay for it.

Because building something nobody wants isn't a technology problem. It's a validation problem. And it's one of the most expensive mistakes a business owner can make - not just financially, but in time, energy and momentum.

How to find out quickly - without spending a cent

You don't need a research firm. You don't need months of surveys. You need to ask your people directly.

• Post in a Facebook group or Reddit forum in your niche - describe the problem your app solves and ask if people experience it. Watch the response.
• Ask your social media audience directly - a simple poll or question post takes 10 minutes and tells you more than 6 months of building.
• Email your list - even a small list gives you real signal. Ask if they'd be interested. Ask if they'd pay.
• Set up a waitlist - a simple landing page with an email capture. If people sign up, you have something. If nobody does, you have equally valuable information.
• Create a lead magnet around the concept - build something small and free that represents the core idea. Downloads and shares tell you if there's genuine interest before you commit to the full build.

The principle

Validate first. Build second. Scale what works.

If your audience says yes - go forth and create with full confidence 🙌

If you hear crickets...you just saved yourself months of your life.

Over to you

Are you a 'validate first, build second' or 'build first, validate later' person?

Drop it in the comments - and if you're the latter, share your method below. I'd genuinely love to learn from you too.

Bamik

Thinking about building something new and want a sounding board before you go too deep? Hit reply and let's have a quick chat.