Niche Scoring Without Methodology (First-Time Founders)

Market sizing methodology is heavy. If that overwhelms you, here is the version stripped to three rules.

Rule 1: List Five Candidates, Not One

The contrast across five is the entire reason scoring works. One candidate is theater.

Rule 2: Score Existing Spend Honestly

It is the most predictive criterion. Customers in a niche with no existing spend mean you are educating a market. Education is hard.

Rule 3: Pick and Move Within Fifteen Minutes

Scoring is a filter, not a destination. Pick the highest. Schedule problem interviews against it this week.

What That Adds Up To

Three rules. Five candidates, honest spend score, fifteen-minute cap. Catches the worst niche picks before commitment. Anything else is decoration.