So you are an inventor with a new invention, what next?
Inventors usually have a questions like: Should I get a prototype? Do I need to have a patent to protect the idea? Who can I speak about it to? Is it a good idea? Can I make money from it? Who can I trust? Is there some great blueprint I can use to follow? Is it possible to get a manufacturer to make the product for me and pay me a royalty?
Many inventors come to me with their ideas but don’t know what to do about it. I tell them that I do not want to encourage them or discourage them however ideas don’t usually sell themselves. It takes many things to sell the idea. In order to take a product from the idea stage to the store it is necessary to learn what it will take to manufacture, market and distribute the product.
There’s a good checklist described as the ABCs of inventing in Inventors Digest . I think this list is a good starting point and should be thought of as the “Inventors 10 Commandments”:
1) Stay away from invention marketing companies that advertise on radio and late night TV.
2) Keep good records about your idea…some day they may be the back up you need to prove YOUR idea is YOURS! (Lab notebook)
3) Do your own patent search online at the USPTO or at a Patent Depository Library.
4) Build a model.
5) Have your invention evaluated by a non-biased professional (even if your Mom’s in the business, go to someone else!).The nonprofit United Inventors Association offers an excellent invention evaluation.
6) Read all you can about new product development. Go to your local book store or library . . . others have gone before you. Don’t reinvent the wheel.
7) Network with other inventors. Join a local inventors’ organization.
Who can I trust? What do I do next? How do I find the help I need?
8) If your patent search looked promising (see #3), make an appointment with a patent attorney, patent agent or professional patent searcher. Show him the results of your search and follow the advice.
9) Do what you do well and hire pros to do the rest.
10) Don’t fall in love with your invention, but if you’re sure you’ve got a winner (see #5), hang in there!
These are all great points and should be taken into consideration. One thing inventors should understand is that it’s a long way to Tipperary. Anything that is worth it may take a lot of blood, sweat and tears to be a success. The ancient Chinese Confucius said, “A journey of a thousand miles starts from the very first step.”
Remember the inventor’s first step is coming up with the idea. There are many more steps that need to be completed in order to bring a product to market.
