Business idea · E-commerce
Pre-Selling Products
Pre-Selling Products is a strategy where entrepreneurs gauge interest and gather funds by asking customers to pay for products or services before they are developed. It was pitched on The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper, in the episode "690: 9 Ways to Get Money to Start Your Side Hustle" (aired August 11, 2025).
At a glance
| Podcast | The Side Hustle Show |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Nick Loper |
| Episode | 690: 9 Ways to Get Money to Start Your Side Hustle |
| Aired | August 11, 2025 |
| Category | E-commerce |
| Real companies on the episode | SwitchPod, Tertuga Direct to Consumer Backpack, Kat Block's Photo Booth Business, Anthony's Vending Machines |
The problem it solves
This method helps validate business ideas and secures initial funding without upfront costs for the entrepreneur.
How it makes money
Collecting advance payments for products or services, often at a discounted rate, to fund production.
Skills you need
Marketing, customer engagement, project management, and sales skills.
The market, and why this works now
Kickstarter provides a platform for pre-selling products by allowing entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and receive funding directly from potential customers. A concrete first-revenue move could involve promoting a campaign on a niche subreddit like r/Entrepreneur, where users are actively seeking innovative products and are willing to support new ventures. However, entrepreneurs should consider the risk of high customer acquisition costs, especially if the marketing strategy relies heavily on paid advertising to drive traffic to the campaign.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- SwitchPod
A tripod designed for video creators, featuring a foldable design for easy transport.
- Tertuga Direct to Consumer Backpack
A brand that produces and sells backpacks designed for travelers.
- Kat Block's Photo Booth Business
A photo booth company that Kat Block built into one of the largest in Canada.
- Anthony's Vending Machines
A vending machine business that utilizes various types of machines, including traditional vending machines and micro markets, to generate revenue.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper
Episode: 690: 9 Ways to Get Money to Start Your Side Hustle
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.