To seek a tiger unveil her den. To find the trout search for the right river. When trying to eye the mountain goat discover the mountains.
extensive research and understanding of your prospective customer is critical to product development
Before building anything. Before sequestering yourself in a room perfecting your venture first go to who you are planning to sell it to and talk to them. Ask questions and then watch them in their real habitat to determine the pains you’re trying to solve. Extensive research and understanding of your prospective customer is critical to product development.
Surveys should be avoided. Interview questions used only as a last resort. In person observations unveil insights not normally achievable with the former two.
Do interviews
Do not reveal your great solution. Early interviewing to determine where the tiger den is depends mostly upon leaving an open mind with little attachment.
When doing interviews ignore ‘would you’ questions as most people would say yes to a question that is a ‘would or will’ you format.
“Would you like ice cream?” “yes.” “Would you like to pay $5 for it?”ooo….right. You either pay for ice cream or you don’t.
Mind your questions
Better than the ‘would and will’ questions are some of the following.
When is the last time you did x?
Tell me a time when x was frustrating?
How did you overcome it?
Watch the Den
The best result is watching them in their natural habitat as stated previously. You can note take every little detail. You do not have to worry about faulty memories or asking a specific question. Being able to observe your prospects in their natural setting will reveal insights no survey could tease up.