The One-Night Stand Pretotype

The One-Night Stand pretotype is a technique where you offer a product or service for a limited time to test market demand. The name comes from the performing arts practice of holding a single performance of a show.

The goal is to get a quick read on whether there's a market for your idea, without having to make a long-term commitment.

A classic example of a One-Night Stand pretotype is the story of Virgin Airlines. When Richard Branson's flight was canceled, he chartered a plane and sold tickets to the other stranded passengers. This one-time flight was a successful pretotype that led to the creation of Virgin Airlines.

Another example is the story of Airbnb. The founders started by renting out three air mattresses in their apartment for a single night. This one-night experiment validated their idea and led to the creation of a multi-billion dollar company.

The One-Night Stand pretotype is a great way to test ideas that require a significant investment in infrastructure or inventory. It allows you to get real-world data on your idea with minimal risk.