Idea to Launch Checklist
Step 1 of 8
Research
A sceptical research note and ten questions for real customers.
You finish with
A one-page research note: who has the problem, how they solve it today, who else serves them, and what they already pay, with a source next to every number.
Why it matters
You're checking that real people have this problem badly enough to act on it, which is far cheaper to find out now than after you've built something. One warning: AI will confidently make up market-size figures. Don't use any number unless you've opened the source yourself.
What you need
- Your idea, who it's for and where you are
Connect these for better results
- Web search (Built into Claude (switch it on in the chat))Big differenceFinds real local competitors and current prices with links, instead of ranges marked [VERIFY]. Still open every source yourself.
The prompt
Copy it, fill in the [BRACKETS], and paste it into Claude.
I'm researching a business idea before I commit to it. Be a sceptical research partner, not a cheerleader.
My idea: [DESCRIBE IT IN A FEW SENTENCES]
Who I think it's for: [THE PEOPLE YOU IMAGINE BUYING]
Where I am: [CITY AND COUNTRY, AND WHETHER IT'S ONLINE OR LOCAL]
Give me:
1. The problem in the customer's words: five phrases they might use complaining to a friend, and where I can find the real versions (forums, reviews, groups, search terms).
2. How they solve it today, including doing nothing, and what's annoying about each option.
3. Who else serves them: types of competitors and alternatives. If you name specific businesses, tell me to check they exist.
4. What people typically pay for the existing options, as ranges, and where I can check.
5. Ten questions to ask real potential customers this week. Not "would you buy this?" but questions about what they did the last time the problem came up.
6. The three biggest reasons this idea might not work.
Rules: don't give me market-size figures or statistics unless you can name the source, and tell me to check that source myself. Mark anything I need to verify with [VERIFY]. If you're unsure, say so.Done when: You've spoken to at least five real potential customers, and every number in your research note has a source you've checked yourself.