Read on Twitter
In my course @nocodemvp, I work with my personal definition of the term "Minimum Viable Product" (MVP).
Here's an extensive thread explaining all possible MVP formats (code / no-code doesn't matter
- whatever works fastest for YOU)
Here's an extensive thread explaining all possible MVP formats (code / no-code doesn't matter
- whatever works fastest for YOU)
All MVP Experiment formats are variations of what's called a "smoke test" 
This is an experiment that's designed to investigate if a certain value proposition gets any attention from potential customers (preferably in a quantifiable form)
This is an experiment that's designed to investigate if a certain value proposition gets any attention from potential customers (preferably in a quantifiable form)
Landing page "smoke test":
- A website communicating your value prop
- It includes a clear call-to-action for customers to sign up if they are interested to hear more about what you're building (or want to build)
@drewhouston did this combined w/ an explainer video for @Dropbox
- A website communicating your value prop
- It includes a clear call-to-action for customers to sign up if they are interested to hear more about what you're building (or want to build)
@drewhouston did this combined w/ an explainer video for @Dropbox
"Fake door smoke test"
- You make it look like you can already deliver your value prop
- But, when people click a CTA button, they are told you're not ready yet
- Used to gauge interest and/or to learn about willingness to pay of customers
@joelgascoigne did this for @buffer
- You make it look like you can already deliver your value prop
- But, when people click a CTA button, they are told you're not ready yet
- Used to gauge interest and/or to learn about willingness to pay of customers
@joelgascoigne did this for @buffer
"Landing page for pre-order or direct sell" 1/2 
- Landing page for payments
- Can be for something you're going to launch (pre-order), or something you can now deliver (direct sell)
- Used to test the "Viability" of your idea: can I earn enough money to make this a business?
- Landing page for payments
- Can be for something you're going to launch (pre-order), or something you can now deliver (direct sell)
- Used to test the "Viability" of your idea: can I earn enough money to make this a business?
"Landing page for pre-order or direct sell" 2/2
- In early stages, you can always refund when you decide it's not a viable business
- Will probably get you negative comments, but it's the only way you can test this in a "live" environment with real customers
- In early stages, you can always refund when you decide it's not a viable business
- Will probably get you negative comments, but it's the only way you can test this in a "live" environment with real customers
"High bar smoke test" 
- Share value prop + pricing, but you test willingness to pay without customers paying you directly
- When they sign up (agree w/ pricing), you give a "task" to test their motivation (a questionnaire for example)
- Finished task = counted as a customer
- Share value prop + pricing, but you test willingness to pay without customers paying you directly
- When they sign up (agree w/ pricing), you give a "task" to test their motivation (a questionnaire for example)
- Finished task = counted as a customer
"Broken promise smoke test" 1/2 
- Designed to test the virality of your value proposition
- You "seed" a landing page (with or without payments) with with a set amount of people from your customer segment, say 50
- Designed to test the virality of your value proposition
- You "seed" a landing page (with or without payments) with with a set amount of people from your customer segment, say 50
"Broken promise smoke test" 2/2
- You say it's a special offer that you're exclusively sharing with them
- Your goal = to figure out if they tell other people
- If more than 50 people sign up, you know your value proposition was shared outside of your targeted customer group
- You say it's a special offer that you're exclusively sharing with them
- Your goal = to figure out if they tell other people
- If more than 50 people sign up, you know your value proposition was shared outside of your targeted customer group
"Wizard-of-Oz MVP” 1/2 
You simulate the automated delivery of your value proposition to your customer, but behind the scenes you're actually doing everything by hand without your customer knowing it.
@masedenver famously started @Groupon like this
You simulate the automated delivery of your value proposition to your customer, but behind the scenes you're actually doing everything by hand without your customer knowing it.
@masedenver famously started @Groupon like this
"Wizard-of-Oz MVP” 2/2
Even though you're in an early stage with your idea, you can get really close to what you're eventually envisioning (technically) with your big idea.
Most important condition to do this experiment is that you can actually deliver your value proposition
Even though you're in an early stage with your idea, you can get really close to what you're eventually envisioning (technically) with your big idea.
Most important condition to do this experiment is that you can actually deliver your value proposition
"Concierge MVP" 1/2 
Like a WoZ MVP, a Concierge MVP replaces a technical product with humans. But, with a Concierge MVP, customers are aware that you're manually delivering your value prop. This way you can deliver your "product" without building anything too technical.
Like a WoZ MVP, a Concierge MVP replaces a technical product with humans. But, with a Concierge MVP, customers are aware that you're manually delivering your value prop. This way you can deliver your "product" without building anything too technical.
"Concierge MVP" 2/2
Because you're delivering the service manually, you can personally interact with your customers to understand them even more. This gives you a strong foundation when you decide to pursue your idea.
Legend goes @bchesky & @jgebbia started @airbnb this way.
Because you're delivering the service manually, you can personally interact with your customers to understand them even more. This gives you a strong foundation when you decide to pursue your idea.
Legend goes @bchesky & @jgebbia started @airbnb this way.
That's it! 
Want to learn more about the mindset, process and tools you can use to rapidly turn your startup idea into a first product you can test with potential customers?
Check out http://nocodemvp.com and join 400+ others today!
Want to learn more about the mindset, process and tools you can use to rapidly turn your startup idea into a first product you can test with potential customers? Check out http://nocodemvp.com and join 400+ others today!
