Physical Before Digital

In the fast-paced digital world, where ideas are born and die in the blink of an eye, validation is crucial for product success. However, there's a tendency to focus solely on the digital, overlooking the potential of a more tangible approach: creating a physical product.

What is it?

The idea is simple: create a physical, analog version of your digital product, whether it's a book, a guide, a report, or any other paper-based format. This physical product serves as a test bed to gauge market interest in the content you offer, gather valuable customer feedback, and refine your offering before investing heavily in its digital version.

Why does it work?

The advantages of this approach are manifold:

• Reduced development costs and time: A physical product is generally cheaper and faster to create than a digital one, allowing you to test your idea with minimal investment.

• Concrete real-world feedback: Engaging with customers through a physical product enables you to collect authentic and actionable feedback, observing how they interact with the content and identifying potential areas for improvement.

• Intrinsic value validation: A physical product allows you to assess whether the content has value independent of its digital form. This shifts focus to the essence of the offering, eliminating the distractions and complexities of the digital.

When is it useful?

This approach is particularly effective for:

• Informative or data-driven products: Practical guides, study manuals, industry reports, client lists, or any other content that focuses on information dissemination.

• Uncertain ideas: If you're unsure of your digital product's success potential, testing with a physical product lets you gauge market interest before investing significant resources.

• Budget optimization: If you have a limited budget, creating a physical product can be a great way to test your idea and gather feedback before committing to full-fledged digital development.

Some tips

• Impeccable quality: Your physical product should be crafted with care and attention to detail, providing a positive user experience and conveying professionalism.

• Targeted promotion: Identify the communication channels most suited to your target audience to promote your physical product and reach the right crowd.

• Active listening: Pay attention to customer feedback, both positive and negative, and use it to improve your physical product and lay the foundation for its digital development.

Creating a physical product to validate your digital product is a strategic approach that offers numerous advantages: it reduces risk, increases the chances of success, and allows for the collection of concrete real-world feedback.