Research
Good research can save you a great deal of time, money and frustration. The more good quality research that is done in the beginning, the greater chance of getting your idea developed, patented and sold. This brings up the obvious question, “What should I research and where should I start researching for my idea and patent?”
Does it Already Exist?
- Search on at least 2 search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo) to see if you can find anything close to your invention.
- Search on retail sites such as Amazon, eBay and big box retail stores. (On a side note, if you find anything close on these sites, read the negative reviews closely. You may find ways to improve your own invention based on what actual customers have to say.)
- Only AFTER you don’t find your invention with the previous searches, look for anything that has a patent that would be close to your invention.
- How practical is it to manufacture and market?
Where Can it be Sold?
- Licensing
- Find manufactures and/or distributors that already are in the industry.
- Make a list of the manufactures/distributors.
- Are they friendly to taking individual’s submissions?
- Direct Response TV (DRTV or As Seen on TV)
- Is your invention a good fit for TV marketing?
- Is the DRTV Company reputable?
- Do they take products like your invention?
- What success stories do they have?
- How do they treat the people who submit their ideas?
- What do they charge, if anything?
- The first red flag is if the company charges anything up-front (a very small submission fee is fine but an investment in the process is highly questionable).
- Typical royalties range from 2 to 6 percent of wholesale.
If possible, make it a point to attend industry trade shows like The Response Expo and/or the Consumer Electronics Trade Show, etc.
Start to Finish Inventions Corp can help you every step of the way to develop your idea or invention including prototyping, securing your patent, manufacturing, and marketing. We can do any parts or all of it—it is YOUR idea so YOU are in control!