Ship early prototype to friends and watch for genuine excitement
Friends and family are often polite about your projects. But when they care about something you built for the first time—asking to use it, showing it to others, bringing it up unprompted—that's a strong signal you're onto something real. This authentic interest from people who know you is different from polite support.
When to use
Before investing months in polish and infrastructure. After building a rough prototype, share it in settings where friends naturally encounter the problem it solves (parties, events, social situations).
Don't do this
Asking friends 'would you use this?' and interpreting polite 'yeah maybe' as validation. Or waiting until product is perfect before getting any user feedback.
1 Founder Who Did This
Gave high school friends access to texting advice script at homecoming. Friends cared about what he was building for the first time in years, showing genuine interest rather than polite support