A 700-word test post promoted to 1,000 targeted impressions (~$30) can reveal topic demand in 48–72 hours. Watch click-through, time-on-page, and email sign-ups—not likes—to decide.
If you need a fast yes/no on an idea, here’s a compact process: design a minimal, credible post, buy or borrow traffic, and use clear thresholds to greenlight, pivot, or kill.
Design A Fast Test
Scope: 500–900 words, one problem, one CTA (newsletter or waitlist). Choose a primary query with 1–5k monthly volume; write to answer it in under five minutes of reading.
Variants: test two headlines and one image; keep image <100 KB. Publish Tue–Thu, 9–3 local. Seed traffic via $30 paid (interest/lookalike) or 2 partner mentions (~500 opens).
Measure Signal, Not Vanity
Decision metrics: CTR ≥ 2.5% (paid/social), median read time ≥ 60s, 60%+ scroll depth, email signup rate ≥ 1–3%. Record cost per engaged read: target ≤ $0.50.
Constraints: organic search is laggy (days–weeks), so don’t wait for it. Small lists? Accept wider confidence intervals; run until 300–500 sessions before judging.
Decide With Simple Rules
Go: hit ≥3 of 4 metrics above and cost per engaged read ≤ target. Scale with a 1,500–2,000-word version and internal links.
Pivot: two metrics missed—revise angle or audience and retest once. Kill: three misses after 500+ sessions or CPC > $2 for two days; archive and move on.
Conclusion
Ship one test post per idea, log metrics in a simple sheet, and make a decision within 72 hours; momentum beats perfect certainty.