The biggest mistake founders make is asking: "Do you think this is a good idea?" This is a "bad question" because the person across from you will lie to spare your feelings.
The 3 Rules of The Mom Test
| Rule | The Action | The Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Talk about their life | Ask about their specific past actions. | Eliminate your own bias. |
| 2. Avoid the future | Never ask "Would you ever...?" | Stop people from lying about intent. |
| 3. Talk less, listen more | Stop pitching. Start asking. | Find the root cause of the pain. |
🛑 Comparison: Good vs. Bad Questions
| Bad Question (The Lie) | Good Question (The Truth) |
|---|---|
| "Do you think this is useful?" | "When was the last time you did [Action]?" |
| "Would you pay for this?" | "How much did you spend to fix this last time?" |
| "What features do you want?" | "Walk me through how you solve this now." |
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