I have a long track record of coming up with ideas and building killer websites and I have a much smaller track record of building successful businesses. I'm attempting to take a small baby step with this idea.
The problem: there is a large amount of underutilized pro audio equipment that is expensive and durable.
Since this is a peer-to-peer market, I think it makes sense to consider the problem that is faced by each side of the proposed market:
Owners problem: Have expensive equipment that mostly goes unused.
Renters problem: Want to use top notch gear but do not have the capital (or desire) to purchase.
First test: I created a landing page (https://geartopeer.com) with a subscription form for emails. My first test is just to observe the conversion rate simply for asking people to sign up to be notified of the launch. I do not yet have the ability to have separate links, or url params to track things like the type of person, or where they are sourced from. In this first test, I will mostly be direct messaging people in a few of the communities I participate in which is relevant to the topic.
Here's a lengthier description that I've written up about the idea.
GTP is a peer-to-peer market place for musicians, recording studios, and pro audio retailers to temporarily exchange pro audio equipment with one another. This new market place increases the utilization of the previously underutilized assets in the audio recording industry. Equipment can cost tens to even hundreds of thousands of dollars and be used infrequently. Much of the best equipment has been discontinued by manufactures or the original manufacturer is out of business, completely. This landscape is somewhat unique to the recording industry. Most other technology ages into obscurity, only to be of interest as pieces of history. In the world of professional audio recording, vintage equipment is still highly sought after and used daily by the biggest names in the industry. We are making it possible to maximize the use of this wonderful equipment while creating a brand new revenue channel for studios and retailers.
I love the comment by Anguruso. Test the demand by preselling, it's best.
I'll never "validate" ideas with emails. Made a video why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e14MUT5CN0Q&t=104s
I did too. Im going to try the approach he suggested.
I'm not someone in need of audio equipment, but it seems like it could be a good idea. Personally I'm not a fan of this "landing page + sign up" validation technique. I think you'd be better off building an MVP or going for the concierge approach.
Here's how I'd get started on the concierge approach:
Find 10 people in your city with audio equipment who are willing to lend it out. Try get a price out of them like "You can have microphone xyz for $50 a day".
Find one person who will pay to rent any of the equipment in your inventory.
Thanks a lot. That makes a lot of sense. I’ll give that a try. Glad I posted this. :)