You’ve got an idea.
Maybe even a few.
A course, a membership, a group program—it’s been living rent-free in your head for a while now.

But every time you think about actually building it, your brain short-circuits.

What platform should I use?
What if no one buys it?
What if I build the whole thing and then want to change it later?

Totally valid questions. Here’s a permission slip if you need it 👉🏻 You don’t have to build a thing to start validating your idea.

You can absolutely test your offer concept without mapping out every module, setting up the tech, or writing 42 emails.

In fact, the earlier you test it, the better. That way, you can build something that people actually want and you’ll know exactly what to include (and what to skip). And it saves you a ton of time creating something that isn’t going to sell.

Here are three low-effort, low-stress ways to start validating your idea:

 

Talk about it casually

You don’t need a launch plan.
You don’t even need a name.

Just show up and talk about your idea in normal human language:

“Lately I’ve been thinking about creating something that walks through X, Y, and Z. I’d love to know if that’s something you’d find helpful.”

Or

“If I offered a way to [insert transformation]—without needing 1:1 time—would that be something you’d want to know more about?”

Post it on Instagram.
Share it in a story.
Send it in an email.
Ask on Threads.

You’re not necessarily selling it yet, you’re just observing what the people want.

Pay attention to how they respond. Do they reply? Ask follow-up questions? Say “I need this”?

That’s early validation.

 

Try a live test run before building the backend.

This one is especially good if your idea involves teaching or walking people through a process.

Instead of building out a whole course or membership portal, offer a one-time workshop or mini training on just a slice of your idea.

• Host a casual Zoom session
• Share your screen and walk through a concept
• Answer questions in real time
• Record it if you want to repurpose it later

This helps you test your teaching style, your process, and your audience’s response—before committing to a full build.

Bonus: it also gives you built-in feedback you can use to shape your content later.

 

Use a waitlist form (but make it conversational).

Waitlists don’t have to be boring. You can turn one into a mini validation machine.

Instead of a basic “enter your email,” try this:

• Ask people which topic they’re most interested in
• Include a question like, “What would make this feel really helpful for you?”
• Give them a place to say how they’d prefer the format (self-paced, group, short & sweet, etc.)
  

That information is GOLD.

And the people who fill it out? They’re your early buyers. They’re telling you, “I’m into this. Just let me know when it’s ready.”

 

Why This Works

Testing your idea means giving your brain and your audience a chance to breathe before you lock anything in.

You don’t need the whole funnel. You just need a little bit of feedback.

And when you build after that, your tech setup becomes way easier because you’re only creating what people actually need.

 

If you’re feeling stuck in the “I don’t know what I’m building yet” phase

Ok, pause. You’re in an in-between stage and that’s where a lot of the clarity starts to bloom. 

So go ahead.

Mention your idea.
Try a mini workshop.
Put up a fun little form.

See what clicks. The rest can come later.