Business Testing: How to Know if Your Business Idea is Viable Before You Quit Your Job

One good test I've found in my line of work is finding out approximately where that magical 3/4 drunk threshold lies, how many beers to achieve it. Because up 'till then you only become more invincible but once you breech that threshold, you are rendered useless.

This is an interesting post and an important insight for those of us getting ready to launch some sites. But I must say that it's lacking the specifics that would really help a beginner like me actually know how to test the business. You mention Google, for example, but what do we specifically need to do to test the business? I am a beginner who is hell bent on creating the independent work life I want and I know I will get there, but I'm held back a lack of concrete advice to follow. Can you fill in the gaps on this one?

This video was pretty unprofessional. It's disorganized and full of ums. It told me nothing except that tests are available.

I couldn't even watch the whole thing. It was pretty painful.
I'll just guess that I already know what he's gonna say since I read the book he's probably quoting.

I'd be interested to know when you suddenly found an idea that you realised could make you a full time income quickly, and how you tested that idea.

Clay -
Right on bother! I wish I could say that I was immune to this *very* common mistake, but I haven't been! I tried no less than THREE internet launches that were absolute dismal failures. Me and my partners spent months developing prototypes and working on releases and in the end.... crickets! It seems so fundamental to me now that you FIRST develop very small, economical tests and only proceed when things look good. Minimal investment here is the key!

Hi Clay,


I like what you have to say, but I´m not big fan of the way you say it. I think your sweet ideas would be much better communicated if you were to write them down... I´ve read some of your other posts and think that you are good writer. Maybe I´ve just picked the wrong video, but in this one there´s just too many ´so...´ and ´hmmm...´ and repetitions... Also, you should make sure that the camera is not facing the light source directly.



IMO, writing down stuff allows readers to concentrate and reflect on the point that you have made when they want, for as how long they want... also it is much more efficient way of gathering the main points from the post , and it helps when referring back to those ideas.



True, this just might be one´s opinion, but see what other readers think...



Keep up the good work...!



Ps: sure, talking is easier then writing.

Pps: are you like my uncle, one of those very rare souls with the hart on the right side of the rib-cage :?

Hi Clay,


I like what you have to say, but I´m not big fan of the way you say it. I think your sweet ideas would be much better communicated if you were to write them down... I´ve read some of your other posts and think that you are good writer. Maybe I´ve just picked the wrong video, but in this one there´s just too many ´so...´ and ´hmmm...´ and repetitions... Also, you should make sure that the camera is not facing the light source directly.



IMO, writing down stuff allows readers to concentrate and reflect on the point that you have made when they want, for as how long they want... also it is much more efficient way of gathering the main points from the post , and it helps when referring back to those ideas.



True, this just might be one´s opinion, but see what other readers think...



Keep up the good work...!



Ps: sure, talking is easier then writing.

Pps: are you like my uncle, one of those very rare souls with the hart on the right side of the rib-cage :?

Your blog is the most inspiring blog I've read (and watched) in a long time. I am so excited to hear more about how you've become successful and how your values play into that. I am in graduate school for professional counseling and work with kids with disabilities from mild to moderate. I feel very passionate about it and would be interested in learning more about starting something with counseling through the internet. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

Can't wait to get some details on product testing. Thanks for this! Something else I've having trouble wading through is product ideas...I understand that in general you should focus on niche market with information products, but I guess I'm still fuzzy on how to find the right information...but then that's where testing will come in! Anyways, thanks again Clay.

Great. This is the fundamental concern that we all have when starting out. Some of us are crazy enough to go for it without knowing, and some of us never quite go for it. I think knowing is a far better way to go though. :) Thanks.

Awesome.... I'll look forward to hearing your feedback on it when it comes out. Thanks for stoping by, David.

heh... me too. I wish I had known this stuff before I took the leap. It would have saved me a lot of stress :-).

Hi Clay,


Thanks for this. Knowing that your business will work can help to take away a lot of the fear associated with quitting your job.



I'd be interested to know when you suddenly found an idea that you realised could make you a full time income quickly, and how you tested that idea.



I'm looking forward to your future posts on what to test and how to test.



David