1. Narrow the customer and trigger
A segment such as “small businesses” is not yet testable. Define the role, current event, cost of delay, buying participants and a legitimate way to reach them.
2. Study the current alternative
- What tool, service or manual process do they use now?
- What does that alternative cost in money, time or risk?
- What event would make them switch?
- What happens if they do nothing?
3. Define the minimum purchasable outcome
Do not begin with a feature list. State the customer, visible result, delivery period, included work, exclusions and acceptance condition. A buyer must be able to judge the offer before the full product exists.
4. Present a real price and next step
- Use a one-page offer with a result, scope and price.
- Ask qualified prospects for a call, deposit or payment.
- Do not replace a real choice with “What would you pay?”
- Record where rejection or delay occurs.
5. Deliver manually before automating
Manual delivery assisted by AI exposes missing inputs, difficult steps and the parts customers actually value. Automation becomes useful only after the buying and delivery pattern repeats.
Minimum evidence for entering MVP development
- The same purchase trigger appears across several qualified prospects.
- At least one costly action occurs; payment is stronger evidence.
- The promised result can be delivered and used.
- Critical legal, data and technical risks have a viable path.
- Automation has a clear economic advantage over manual delivery.