🎯 Market Research That Actually Prevents You From Wasting 6 Months Key Insights from My Interview with Paulo Costa This wasn’t academic market research. This was builder-grade, reality-tested advice for anyone creating software, SaaS, or AI tools. Here are the biggest takeaways 👇 1️⃣ Market Research Exists to Kill Bad Ideas Early Market research isn’t about proving your idea is good. It’s about discovering: - If people actually need what you’re building - If competitors already solve the problem better than you can - If the business is sustainable and scalable, not just “cool” A good idea that can’t scale or can’t be priced profitably is still a bad business. 2️⃣ Start With the Problem — Not Innovation Trying to be “first” or “revolutionary” is dangerous. Instead, ask: - What problem exists right now? - Who is already solving it? - Where are they falling short? If no one has ever built something like your idea, that’s a warning sign, not a flex. 3️⃣ Competition Is a Signal, Not a Threat A crowded market usually means: - People are already paying for solutions - Demand is proven - You just need better positioning, not reinvention Your job is not to invent something new —Your job is to solve a real problem better, faster, or more clearly. 4️⃣ Don’t “Hallucinate” Solutions for Markets You Don’t Understand You cannot successfully build software for: - Law firms - Medical practices - Supermarkets - Construction companies …if you don’t understand how they actually operate. The best founders: - Have lived the problem - Or sit directly with people who do - And map real workflows before building anything Technology exists to optimize processes, not replace understanding. 5️⃣ Market Research = Conversations, Not Spreadsheets The most valuable research doesn’t come from: - Reports - Percentages - Industry PDFs It comes from: - Talking to real people - Watching how they work - Asking what breaks, not what they want

On Tuesday 13th 9am Chicago/Central Time. I'm hosting Paulo Costa who is community owner of Plan Your Tech. Paulo is going to lead a masterclass on Market Research, the importance of it and how to do it. The target audience is any entrepreneur looking sell a product or service. Come one, come all! meet.google.com/gcf-cncm-szi