That’s excellent that you have an idea for a side job! But before you spend weeks making a website, designing a logo, or printing business cards, let’s talk about the most critical step: validation.
Validation is the act of showing that people will really buy what you’re selling. It’s how you don’t waste time and money on a concept that just works in your head.
The good news is that you don’t need a lot of money to prove your idea. You can actually perform a test for $10 or less to see if your side business has real potential.
Chris Guillebeau’s book The $100 Startup and Side Hustle is all about this minimalist validation method. It’s not about making plans that last forever; it’s about testing things quickly, learning rapidly, and getting better as you go.
Let’s go over a simple, low-risk way to test your idea so you can start making money instead of simply thinking about it.
Why Validation Is More Important Than Planning
Most people fail in business not because their idea was awful, but because they didn’t test it well. They thought people would pay, but they never checked.
Validation keeps you from:
- Buying something that no one wants
- Making something based on what you think
- Feeling down after launching to stillness
Chris Guillebeau explains it best: “You don’t need more time, money, or a better idea. You have to make sure that someone is willing to pay.”
Step 1: Figure Out What Your Offer Is All About
Before you test anything, be sure you know what you’re offering and who it’s for.
Think about this:
- What issue does this fix?
- Who would get the most out of this?
- What am I giving as the result or outcome?
For example:
“I help small business owners in my area make simple, clean graphics for social media so they can stay active online without spending hours on Canva.”
That’s obvious. It’s not just “designing graphics.” It’s a fix for a certain group of folks.
When validating, being clear leads to greater results.
Step 2: Make a Quick Test That Costs Less Than $10
It’s time to test now. This is how to accomplish it quickly and easily.
Option 1: Make a Simple Offer Image or Post ($0–$5)
You can use Canva (the free version is fine) to make a clean, professional post about your offer. Next:
- Put it on your own social media
- Put it in Reddit forums or local Facebook groups
- Send it to 3–5 others who could be interested via DM
Include:
- Who you help
- What you do
- What will happen as a result
- A beginning price or a free trial (optional)
Price: $0
Option 2: Print a Few Flyers in Your Area for About $5
If your job is local, like pet sitting, tutoring, organizing, etc., print 10–15 flyers and put them up:
- At cafés
- At laundromats
- On bulletin boards throughout the community
- At the library near you
You can do this for less than $5 at your home printer, FedEx Office, or Staples.
Price: $5 or less
Option 3: Pay $5 to $10 to Run a Micro Ad on Facebook or Instagram
This is optional, although it is very powerful. Make a basic ad that will reach individuals in your area or expertise. For two days, set a budget of $5 a day.
You’ll be able to talk to hundreds of people and see whether they’re interested.
Important: Add a call to action like “DM me for more information” or “The first three get a special price.”
Price: $10
Step 3: Measure the Only Thing That Counts: Response
This validation step’s goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s a reaction.
You have one question: Will anyone take you up on this offer?
If they do, you’ve shown the most crucial thing: that someone cares enough to get involved.
If you get even one good response, your concept has legs.
No answer? Don’t freak out. Just say:
- Was the offer clear enough?
- Did I put my post in the appropriate area or go to the right people?
- Is there a simpler way to describe the problem and solution?
Then make changes and try again.
Step 4: Give Them a Small Version and Charge Them If You Can
Once someone bites, provide them value right away.
You can begin by:
- Giving a free trial
- Giving away the first session or product for free or at a discount
- Charging a small, fixed amount to test the procedure
For example:
“I’d love to give you a discount on your first service in exchange for honest feedback and a review.”
You don’t want to get rich off your first sale. It’s to show that your proposal works in the real world, not simply in theory.
Chris suggests starting with a “beta client” in Side Hustle. This is someone who helps you improve your offer while also providing you confidence and, hopefully, a referral.
Step 5: Use What You Learn to Get Better and Grow
After your notion is proven to be true:
- Use real feedback to make your messaging better
- Increase your pricing, even just a little
- Get a review from your first client
- Give the service to more people again
You don’t have to guess anymore from here. You’re going through the process again. Businesses evolve in the real world, not from ideal planning, but from input from customers.
The $100 Startup proves over and over that the way to make money is to do things, not think about them.
What If I Don’t Get a Response?
It occurs, and that’s fine. Here’s what you should do:
- Change the way you position it: Make the issue clearer and the outcome more specific
- Change the platform: Instagram might not be the best place. Try a new group or an offline method
- Make it urgent or offer a bonus, like “First 3 get it for half price”
- To put it simply, you might be giving too much. Limit the range to just one specific result
Keep in mind that not getting a response doesn’t indicate you failed. It means you have saved yourself months of work on something that no one wanted.
That’s a victory.