As a founder, it’s important to test if people are willing to pay for what you offer—even if your final product isn’t ready yet. One of the best ways to do this is by offering something small or incremental for sale early on. This could be a simplified version of your product, a service, or even a downloadable resource.
Do you want to learn how to create early-stage startup sales opportunities in your go-to-market strategy? Schedule a Discovery Call Today!
Why You Should Offer Something Early in Your Startup
Early-stage startup sales help you understand if customers find value in what you’re offering. It’s not about having a perfect product—it’s about testing whether people will pay for something. Here’s why you should give it a try:
1. Validates Your Value Proposition
Even if your final product isn’t complete, offering something for sale lets you test whether people are willing to exchange money for your solution. It could be a small service, an MVP for startups, or even a downloadable playbook that ties into your main offering. If someone is willing to pay for it, it validates that your idea has real-world value.
2. Provides Early Feedback
When you offer a product or service early, you also open the door to valuable feedback. Customers can tell you what they like, what they need more of, and what’s missing. This feedback can help you improve your final product or even pivot if needed.
3. Tests the Market
Selling something, even at a low price, allows you to test product demand early before fully launching. You can gauge interest, experiment with pricing, and see if there’s enough demand. This helps you avoid the costly mistake of building something nobody wants.
Read More: 5 Steps to Zero-in on Your Ideal Customer Segment
What You Can Offer
You don’t need a polished final product to start selling. Here are a few simple ways to offer something early in your startup:
- An MVP for Startups: A minimum viable product that solves one part of the customer’s problem.
- A Playbook or Guide: A downloadable PDF that provides value and aligns with your expertise.
- A Service: Offer a service that ties into your larger product. This could be consulting, training, or a mini version of the solution you’re working on.
The key is to get something out there to test if your audience is willing to pay for what you offer.
Start Selling to Test Product Demand Early
Offering something for sale early on helps you validate your idea, collect feedback, and understand your market better. Don’t wait for your final product—start with something small, get it into your customers’ hands, and see if they find enough value to pay for it. This way, you’ll know you’re on the right track before investing more time and resources into your full launch.
Additional Resources
→ My Lead Generation Reading List
$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi
$100M Leads by Alex Hormozi
Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson
The Art and Business of Writing by Nicolas Cole
Founder Brand by Dave Gerhardt
Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross & Marylou Tyler
The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon & Brent Adamson
→ My Sales & Marketing Stack
Notion (Productivity)
