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Getting Started with an Idea
1 point by sritch on Feb 3, 2012 | hide | past | favorite | 3 comments
There is a mass of things to get started once you have an idea for an app/business/etc. I want to know what people recommend to get started once you have an idea.

Disclaimer: I am not naive or ignorant to the amount of work it takes to implement any sort of idea. I understand that it takes a great deal of work, I don't anticipate doing it all alone, etc. I have read all about it and been part of some startups for a short period.

My issue is sort of the 'analysis paralysis' deal, where there are many paths to take (mockups, customer validation, just code, design, etc) that I don't know which is the most important.

Any suggestions on first steps?



If you're technical: Build the first (scrappy) version yourself and do some initial testing with potential users

If you're not: Do customer development by talking to customers and verifying that there is a need and that they will pay. then, with data in hand, try to get a technical co-founder that shares your vision to help you build it


Is it worth doing visual mockups for my customer development? Or just explaining the idea


well visual mockups help you explain the idea better to customers as they can see the actual thing.. i've known some people to have pre-sold their products through mock-ups.. because it solves a huge problem that the customer is facing




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