Test signals of demand at small scale

The strongest proof of demand is not what people say but what they do. Small-scale experiments can provide that proof without the cost of a full launch. Tactics like waitlists, pre-orders, or landing pages show whether users are willing to commit. These signals carry more weight than surveys or interviews because they measure real behavior.

A simple example is a fake-door test, where a button for a new feature is added to a website. If many users click, it signals interest before the feature is even built. Similarly, crowdfunding campaigns validate demand by asking people to pay in advance. Even if the numbers are small, they reveal more than verbal enthusiasm. These lightweight tests allow teams to fail quickly if interest is weak and double down when signals are strong.