# Validation Approaches Catalog

**Date:** January 9, 2026  
**Status:** ✅ Reference document  
**Version:** 1.0  
**Purpose:** Catalog of validation approaches with pros/cons for Oleg to choose

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## Current State

- **Paying customers:** 0
- **Interviews conducted:** 0
- **API feedback received:** 0
- **Product status:** MVP ready, validation flows partially ready

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## Validation Flows (What User Tests)

| Flow | Status | Description |
|------|--------|-------------|
| **Flow 1: Live URLs** | ✅ Ready | Generate via URL params, no API key needed |
| **Flow 2: Lab UI** | TBD | Web interface for testing generations |
| **Flow 3: API Integration** | ✅ Ready | Full API with key, SDK, documentation |
| **Flow 4: MCP** | ❌ Not built | Claude/Cursor integration |

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## Validation Approaches

### 1. Known Developer (Personal Network)

**What:** Ask developers you already know to try Banatie

**Reliability:** ⭐ (Low)  
**Cost:** $0  
**Time:** 1 day  

**Pros:**
- Fastest possible feedback
- Will actually try it (personal relationship)
- Can ask deep follow-up questions

**Cons:**
- Biased feedback (won't say "this is useless")
- May not be target ICP
- Small sample size
- "Friend favor" dynamic distorts honesty

**Best for:** Technical sanity check, UX bugs, basic flow testing

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### 2. Telegram RU Communities

**What:** Post in Russian-speaking dev communities

**Reliability:** ⭐⭐ (Low-Medium)  
**Cost:** $0  
**Time:** 2-3 days  

**Pros:**
- Native language = deeper conversations
- Some communities are active and engaged
- Can find specific niches (React, AI, etc.)

**Cons:**
- Russian market ≠ global market (different pain points)
- Many communities are dead or low-quality
- May attract tire-kickers, not potential customers
- Language barrier limits global applicability

**Best for:** Initial concept validation, Russian market exploration

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### 3. Daily.dev Personal Post

**What:** Post on daily.dev as Oleg (personal brand, 5.2K rep)

**Reliability:** ⭐⭐ (Medium-Low)  
**Cost:** $0  
**Time:** 3-5 days  

**Pros:**
- Existing audience (5.2K reputation)
- Developer-focused platform
- Can test messaging
- Admin of 1.5K member squad

**Cons:**
- Personal brand risk if product is bad
- One-shot (can't spam product posts)
- Engagement may be passive (likes, not signups)
- Platform algorithm may limit reach

**Best for:** Awareness, traffic spike, testing headlines/positioning

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### 4. Discord AI Tools Communities

**What:** Join Discord servers focused on AI coding tools (Claude, Cursor, etc.)

**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium-High)  
**Cost:** $0  
**Time:** 1-2 weeks  

**Pros:**
- Exact ICP: developers using AI tools
- Real conversations, not just reactions
- Can observe pain points before pitching
- Multiple communities to test
- Global audience

**Cons:**
- Need to build credibility first (can't just pitch)
- Time investment in community participation
- May get banned if too promotional
- Quality varies by community

**Best for:** ICP validation, pain point discovery, warm outreach

**Recommended approach:**
1. Week 1: Join, observe, help others
2. Week 2: Start mentioning Banatie when relevant
3. Week 3+: Direct conversations with interested devs

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### 5. jsjobs.ru Paid Interviews

**What:** Pay for interviews with Russian developers

**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High)  
**Cost:** $50-100 (5-10 interviews × $10 each)  
**Time:** 1 week  

**Pros:**
- Structured interviews with real developers
- Payment ensures commitment
- Can screen for specific profile
- Get deep feedback (30-60 min each)

**Cons:**
- Cost (budget constraint)
- Russian market focus
- May attract interview-seekers, not product users
- Requires interview script preparation

**Best for:** Deep ICP validation, detailed feedback on specific features

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### 6. Henry Warmup (Content Marketing)

**What:** Build Henry persona presence, then soft-pitch Banatie

**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium-High)  
**Cost:** $0  
**Time:** 2-3 weeks minimum  

**Pros:**
- Builds sustainable channel
- Attracts target audience organically
- No "spam" perception
- Can repurpose content across platforms

**Cons:**
- Slow (need multiple posts before credibility)
- Requires consistent content production
- Indirect feedback (traffic, not conversations)
- Henry persona needs maintenance

**Best for:** Long-term channel building, organic discovery

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### 7. SEO Organic Traffic

**What:** Wait for organic search traffic to convert

**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High)  
**Cost:** $0  
**Time:** 1-3 months  

**Pros:**
- Highest quality signal (people searching for solution)
- Sustainable and scalable
- No manual outreach needed
- Validates market demand definitively

**Cons:**
- Slowest approach
- Requires content + SEO investment upfront
- May not get enough volume for statistical significance
- Depends on keyword rankings

**Best for:** End-goal validation, sustainable acquisition

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### 8. Product Hunt Launch

**What:** Launch on Product Hunt

**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐ (High for awareness)  
**Cost:** $0  
**Time:** 1 month+ preparation  

**Pros:**
- High visibility spike
- Developer/tech audience
- Social proof from upvotes
- Press/blogger attention possible

**Cons:**
- One-shot (can't re-launch easily)
- Requires preparation (assets, hunters, timing)
- Vanity metrics (upvotes ≠ customers)
- Post-launch depression (traffic drops)

**Best for:** Awareness milestone, social proof, traffic spike

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## Decision Framework

**Choose based on:**

| Priority | Best approach |
|----------|---------------|
| Speed | #1 Known Developer |
| Quality feedback | #5 jsjobs Paid |
| ICP accuracy | #4 Discord AI Tools |
| Sustainability | #7 SEO Organic |
| One-time boost | #8 Product Hunt |
| Balance | #4 Discord AI Tools |

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## Not Included (Considered but Rejected)

- **Reddit cold posts** — High ban risk, low reliability without reputation
- **Twitter/X outreach** — Requires follower base first
- **LinkedIn cold messages** — Low response rate, wrong audience vibe
- **Email cold outreach** — Spam perception, low conversion
- **Paid ads** — Premature for validation stage

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## Recommended Sequence

**If Oleg wants structured approach:**

1. **Week 1:** #1 Known Developer (sanity check)
2. **Week 2-3:** #4 Discord AI Tools (ICP discovery)
3. **Week 3-4:** #6 Henry Warmup (start content)
4. **Month 2:** #7 SEO Organic (wait for traffic)
5. **Month 3:** #8 Product Hunt (if signals are positive)

**But:** Oleg decides. This is catalog, not prescription.

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**Document owner:** @men  
**Last updated:** January 9, 2026  
**Related docs:**
- [ROADMAP.md](../ROADMAP.md) - Current phase and priorities
- [03-icp-research-questions.md](../research/03-icp-research-questions.md) - ICP definition