Traction Audit Worksheet

Traction Audit Worksheet — TheBigIdea
Activity · Traction Audit

What Evidence Does Your Business Already Have?

Before you can tell your traction story to investors, you need to take inventory of what you actually have. Most founders underestimate their own traction because they're waiting for revenue before they start tracking. This worksheet walks you through every category of evidence that counts — not just dollars. Complete it honestly. The gaps you find are as useful as the wins.

When to use this: Before drafting your campaign overview, before meeting with a securities attorney, and any time you need a clear-eyed view of where your business actually stands.

▸ Work through each section top to bottom. Mark your status, fill in what you have, and note what's missing.

▸ When you're done, scroll to the Summary section — then email yourself the results or download a copy.

▸ Nothing here is stored or sent unless you choose to email it.

Completion 0 of 6 sections
01
Revenue
The clearest and most compelling form of traction
Revenue status
Worked example

"$3,200 in revenue last month from 4 paying customers. MRR is growing — $800 in month 1, $1,400 in month 2, $3,200 in month 3."

What direction is it moving, and why?
This must be a reason, not an excuse. "We're completing beta" is a reason. "We haven't found customers" is a problem.
02
Customers & Users
Paying customers, active users, waitlists, subscribers
Customer / user status
03
Signed Commitments
Letters of intent, pre-orders, pilot contracts, MOUs
Commitment status
Worked example

"2 signed LOIs from regional distributors totaling $48,000 in projected first-year orders. Neither is revenue yet, but both are named companies I can reference."

04
Pilots & Proof of Concept
Paid pilots, beta programs, active tests with real customers
Pilot / beta status
05
Partnerships & External Validation
Strategic partners, advisors, press, awards, industry recognition
06
Story Gaps & Next Steps
Where you need more before you can tell a complete story
If you could only show investors one number, what would it be — and do you have it today?

Your Traction Summary

Fill this out last. It becomes the basis for your investor-facing traction narrative.

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