📝 How to Gather Valuable Feedback on Your Product...

3 strategies to ensure valuable user feedback and validate your idea are outlined in "The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick. The method emphasizes understanding the impact of your product on users' lives, focusing on past behavior rather than future intentions, and prioritizing listening over speaking during feedback sessions.

‍The Mom Test

Ever had an idea, or even a first draft of a product, and felt stumped about how to improve it?

You're eager for feedback, but all you get are vague thumbs-ups and optimistic "I'd definitely buy this!" comments. Yet the glaring reality of sluggish sales tells a different tale. Well, it's time for a face-off with what Rob Fitzpatrick refers to as "The Mom Test".

“The Mom Test” is based on the premise that even your own mother, when asked for her opinion on your product, is more likely to sugarcoat the truth to protect your feelings than give you hard-hitting, valuable feedback. And let's face it – it's not just moms.

Heck, we sometimes get glowing reviews from folks who, as per our data, have never actually read our newsletter (ouch!). Are we mad? Not a bit. That's just the way of the world, and understanding this is key to zeroing in on feedback that actually matters.

Here's the Fitzpatrick guide to cutting through the feedback noise:

1. Focus on their life, not your idea: Instead of asking what they think, like or feel about your product, ask how the product has impacted their life. Do they actually use it? How, when and how often? The truth might hurt a bit, but it will help shed light on whether your idea genuinely addresses an issue they face.
2. Query past specifics, not future possibilities: People can be notoriously overenthusiastic about their future actions, possibly playing up to your expectations. So don’t ask how they are planning to use your product, drill down on how they have already used it. Again, reality might sting, but it’s more trustworthy feedback.
3. Less talk, more listen: Let them do the talking. Every second you spend talking is a moment lost for learning. Remember the two-ears-one-mouth rule: listen twice as much as you talk.

Bonus tip: Seek out seasoned founders. They're often much more attuned to the value of honest, albeit uncomfortable, feedback, and are generally more willing to serve you the "tough love" medicine you need to make real progress.

With this fresh perspective, let's get real: We've been running this Builder’s Corner segment for several weeks now. So, hit that reply button and tell us, how it’s made a difference to your startup or work setup…

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