I've got an idea, but no idea how to execute

[GhostSixFour]

Officially. Write up a business plan. At the very least it forces you to think about things that you maybe didn't think of yet.

There's tons of samples on the web - download one and start completing. Maybe you get half way and realise you haven't thought this through properly yet, or maybe you barely start and think to yourself that it doesn't work as well as it should.

Then, bundle it with Crystal Meth and sell it. The crystal will keep them coming back. The toys will make it legal.

*not a lawyer, so do not construe this as legal advise.

 

[Greig Whitton]

Family are the worst people to ask for opinion.

There is one very important benefit (apart from convenience) to conducting market research with friends and family: if you can't convince the people who know and trust you to buy your product or service, then it's unlikely that you will have much success with complete strangers. So starting with your immediate personal or professional network can be a very sensible first step towards market validation.

 

[saor]

There is one very important benefit (apart from convenience) to conducting market research with friends and family: if you can't convince the people who know

Family don't usually take any convincing / they don't give critical feedback; they're too nice. I don't think their opinion carries any weight at all regarding market validation. Especially at the start - you need people to be honest and critical of the idea, not people you live with to hug you and say 'it's amazing'.

 

[WaxLyrical]

What Greg said.
Create toy and demo it to potential buyers.

Leave patent for last.

 

[Greig Whitton]

Family don't usually take any convincing / they don't give critical feedback; they're too nice.

You're missing my point. Market validation isn't simply asking for feedback. It's discovering whether people will put their money where their mouth is. Obviously your family and friends are going to be supportive. But will they actually fork over their hard-earned cash? If not, there's a good chance complete strangers won't either. So before you go to the trouble and effort of marketing to complete strangers, start with the lowest hanging fruit possible.