Validate an idea before building the campaign
A problem hypothesis, a small validation test and a decision rule.
Bring these inputs
Audience hypothesis, proposed offer, known alternatives and access to real prospective customers.
Tools for this exercise
A reasoning assistant, a simple landing page and a real customer conversation.
Work through it, step by step
Write the problem, current workaround and riskiest assumption. Separate demand for the outcome from enthusiasm about your idea.
Use AI to draft neutral interview questions and a simple offer description. Ask for reasons the idea might fail.
Show a clearly described concept or prototype to real prospects. Ask what they would do next; record behavior and objections rather than compliments.
Choose an observable signal and threshold before testing, such as qualified prospects agreeing to a follow-up. Treat a small pilot as directional evidence, not proof of market size.
A prompt you can reuse
Replace the brackets with your real context. Remove personal or confidential data unless you have permission and an appropriate workspace.
Pressure-test this offer: [offer] for [audience]. Identify the three riskiest assumptions and existing alternatives. Draft five non-leading interview questions and one low-cost test per assumption. Include a decision rule and what each test cannot establish.
Example in practice
Before building a full course, interview five likely learners and test whether they will bring a real project to a pilot session.
Human review checkpoint
No fabricated demand, testimonials or scarcity. If collecting interest for an unfinished product, say so clearly.
Your finished deliverable
A problem hypothesis, a small validation test and a decision rule. Save the source material, your draft, the corrections you made and the next decision. Ask a colleague to explain what the work recommends; if they cannot, simplify it before moving on.
- Evidence and assumptions are clearly separated.
- The output matches the brief and has an accountable owner.
- Facts, links, accessibility and relevant permissions have been checked.
- The next step has a metric or observable acceptance criterion.