How to Find and Talk to Potential Customers Before Launching
- samueljpart
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
One of the biggest mistakes I see founders make is building in isolation—spending months (or even years) perfecting a product or service without actually talking to the people they want to sell to. The harsh reality? Just because you think your idea is great doesn’t mean other people will pay for it.
Finding and talking to potential customers before launching is the best way to avoid wasted time and money. Here’s how to do it effectively:
1. Identify Who Your Customer Actually Is
First things first—who are you trying to sell to? If your answer is "everyone," you're already in trouble.
Start by narrowing it down:
Are you targeting individuals or businesses?
What are their problems, needs, and buying habits?
Where do they currently spend their time and money?
💡 The key here isn’t just knowing your ideal customer—it’s identifying the different types of customers who might buy from you.
Instead of seeing your audience as one big group, start segmenting them by key attributes:
Demographics – Age, profession, income level.
Buying behavior – Do they buy based on price, quality, reputation?
Pain points – Are they driven by convenience, affordability, exclusivity?
Location – Are they local, national, or global?
👉 Why this matters: You might find that one segment is more engaged than the others—helping you refine your focus and messaging.
2. Find Where They Already Hang Out
Once you’ve identified your potential customers, the next step is finding them.
Where to look:
Online communities & forums (Reddit, Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups).
Industry-specific platforms (e.g., Etsy for handmade products, Product Hunt for tech startups).
Competitor comment sections & reviews (What are their customers saying?).
Networking events & trade shows.
Local meetups & co-working spaces.
💡 Tip: Instead of creating your own community from scratch, insert yourself into spaces where your customers already exist. Listen first, engage second.
3. Capture and Organize Feedback Properly
Speaking to customers is only half the job—what you do with their feedback is just as important. Most people casually collect feedback, but if you don’t structure it, you’ll forget what you learned and waste valuable insights.
Set up a simple feedback table (even just a spreadsheet) with these columns:
Customer Segment | Pain Point | Current Solution | Feedback on My Idea | Follow-Up Needed? |
Freelancers | Can’t find affordable project management software | Using Excel & Google Docs | “I’d try it if it’s cheap” | Yes, send them a demo |
Small agencies | Need better workflow automation | Using expensive SaaS tools | “I’d switch if it saves time” | No, already committed |
By grouping feedback like this, patterns will start to emerge, helping you refine your idea and identify who is actually worth pursuing.
💡 The real edge? Always leave the door open for future conversations. If someone isn’t ready to buy now, keep them in your network, update them, and circle back later.
4. Run Small-Scale Tests to See If They’ll Take Action
Words are nice, but actions matter more. If people say they like your idea, see if they’ll actually commit to it. Ways to test early demand:
Set up a landing page with a “Join the Waitlist” or “Pre-Order” button.
Offer a beta version at a discounted rate to test customer interest.
Run a simple ad campaign to see how many people click through.
Post about your idea on LinkedIn/Twitter and track engagement.
💡 Tip: If no one signs up, it’s a sign you need to refine the offer before launching.
5. Use What You Learn to Refine Your Idea
What to ask yourself after these conversations:
Did people seem genuinely interested or just being polite?
What unexpected insights came up? (Did they mention a problem you hadn’t thought of?)
Do I need to adjust my messaging, pricing, or product features?
💡 Tip: Keep track of these insights in your feedback table. The feedback you get here is gold dust for marketing, sales, and product development later.
The Takeaway: Start Talking Now, Not Later
If you wait until after launching to talk to customers, you risk wasting time and money on something they don’t want.
🚀 Instead, test the waters now:
✅ Identify your ideal customers.
✅ Find where they already hang out.
✅ Have real conversations without pitching.
✅ Track how many people take real action.
✅ Use that feedback to refine your offer.
How I Can Help
If you’re stuck wondering where to find customers or how to approach them, I can help you:
✔️ Define your audience properly so you're talking to the right people.
✔️ Build a structured feedback system so you can track real insights.
✔️ Figure out how to position your product so people actually care.
🚀 Book a free 30-min call, and let’s figure it out together.
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