The $99 Clarity Test

Before you spend weeks building a course or offer, there’s one question that matters: “Would anyone actually pay for this?”

The $99 Test is a quick way to find out. Instead of guessing, you ask people directly if they’d pay $99 (or a similar amount) for the result you’re promising. If they say yes, you have proof the idea is worth pursuing.

What You’re Really Testing

The $99 Test shows you if your idea passes the 3-E Test:

• Experience → Does it solve a real problem people recognize from their own life?

• Excitement → Does it feel urgent or desirable enough that they’d commit now?

• Easy to Research → Can you explain it so simply that someone gets the outcome in seconds?

If someone says, “Yes, I’d pay for that,” you’re not just validating the idea, you’re validating your message.

How to Run the $99 Test

1. Write the Outcome, Not the Format

People don’t care if it’s a course, a PDF, or a workshop. They care about the fix.

Example:

“I’m working on something to help freelancers land their first paying client in 30 days without cold pitching. If it were $99, would that interest you?”

Clear. Direct. Outcome-driven.

2. Ask a Handful of People

Reach out to 3–5 people in your audience, DMs, or email list. Keep it personal, not broadcast.

3. Watch for Signals

• If they reply “Yes, I’d pay for that” → Your idea has traction.

• If they hesitate or ask questions → That’s feedback on what to clarify.

• If nobody bites → Better to know now than after building.

The point isn’t to collect money. It’s to collect signals.

Why $99?

It’s high enough to force a real decision but low enough to be accessible. You can adjust the number ($49, $149), but the test works because it requires someone to picture actually paying, not just saying “that sounds cool.”

What to Do Next

• If people say yes → Move forward. Build the smallest version (pilot, workshop, or mini-course).

• If people hesitate → Refine the message, narrow the problem, or adjust the outcome.

• If nobody bites → Drop it and test a new angle.

You’re not wasting time, you’re saving it.

Bottom Line

The $99 Test isn’t about collecting money right away. It’s about collecting proof.

If someone tells you they’d pay, that’s a green light to keep building. If they don’t, that’s a sign to adjust before you sink weeks into something the market won’t buy.

One yes is worth more than a hundred likes. That’s all the signal you need.