How to Test an Idea in 72 Hours for Under $150
Are you worried you don’t have the time, resources, capital or connections to actually start your idea?
Fair enough. Ordering product, building tech or renting bricks and mortar is expensive. Not to mention your time - which is also valuable (and non-renewable).
But what if there was a way to test your idea for 72 hours, $150 and a hige boost of confidence?
The importance of idea Validation
If you’re smart, ambitious, and a little bit of a perfectionist, you’ve probably spent hours (or weeks) planning your next big idea—without showing it to a single real customer. I’ve been there—polishing, tweaking, and perfecting, only to find out I was building for an audience that didn’t exist.
Let’s be honest — the first question anyone with business sense will ask you is:
“Have you validated it yet?”
Not: Is it beautiful?
Not: Do you love it?
Not: Did your friends say it was “a great idea”?
Validation beats vision.
It doesn’t matter how shiny, polished, or passion-fueled your idea is — if no one wants it, it’s not a business. It’s a diary entry with a landing page.
And yet, most people — smart people — waste time and money building before testing.
(Hi - Me! Probably you too.)
🚨 How The Forbes List Validate
A unicorn founder I met once told me how he tested a new idea — years ago — for full-body MRI scans marketed toward private-paying clients interested in longevity.
He didn’t rent a clinic.
He didn’t buy a machine (that costs upwards of $400,000 AUD, by the way).
He didn’t “build the brand.”
He made a landing page.
He described the idea.
He asked for emails from people who wanted to know more.
Thousands registered — in one weekend.
He knew he had something. And then he built.
Should he have bought an MRI machine and then gone looking for customers?
No. And neither should you.
But that’s exactly what most people do when they:
Build the app before knowing if anyone will pay
Write the course before knowing if anyone wants it
Hire designers before asking for a single sale
🧠 Here's the Smarter Way: The 72-Hour Idea Test
Enter the 72-hour validation sprint — inspired by Tom Bilyeu (co-founder of Quest Nutrition and Impact Theory).
It’s not about launching.
It’s about learning.
Fast.
And it’ll save you months of energy, and thousands of dollars.
🧪 The 3-Day Idea Test Framework
Day 1: Create a Simple Offer
Don't build the product — just explain it clearly.
Write your one-line value proposition (e.g. “A Notion template for freelancers to pitch faster.”)
Set up a basic landing page (Carrd, ConvertKit, Gumroad, etc.)
Include a clear CTA (join waitlist, sign up for updates, pre-order)
Cost:
– Carrd: $19/year (or free)
– Domain: $12 (optional)
– Time: 3–4 hours
Day 2: Share It Like You Mean It
Don't just hit "publish" and wait. Get the offer in front of people.
Post to your socials (Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads)
DM 10–20 people in your audience
Share in 1–2 relevant communities
Optional: run a small paid ad ($50 max)
Goal: See if anyone cares enough to click, reply, or sign up.
Day 3: Analyze, Adjust, or Move On
Look for signals — not perfection.
Did people click? Sign up?
What messages worked best?
Did you feel energy building or… crickets?
Then choose:
✅ Go deeper
🔄 Refine and retest
❌ Archive and move on (no shame, it saved you $$)
💡 Tools & Tips for Extra Momentum
Use ChatGPT to write your copy faster
Use Canva or Notion for quick design mockups
Don’t overbrand — clarity over cleverness
Download the 72 hour worksheet
✅ Final Thought: The Proof will give you confidence
You don’t need a beautiful deck, a fancy domain, or a weeks-long pre-launch.
You need validation.
You need someone saying “Yes, I want that.”
And you need it before you spend another hour building.
That’s what the 72-hour test gives you.
Speed. Signal. Sanity.