Essay

Sell First, or Build First?

Allen Pike Free Intermediate

Pike weighs pre-selling honestly, including when a signed commitment truly validates demand and when it does not fit your product. It helps you decide whether to get money or a firm commitment before building, which is the strongest possible signal past free love. Balanced rather than dogmatic, so you apply it with judgement.

  • A paid commitment before building is the strongest demand signal there is
  • Pre-selling suits some products more than others, know which you are
  • Nothing counts until money or a firm commitment changes hands
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The question it answers

  1. How do I validate demand in India when people love a free product but won't pay for it?

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