Want To Create A Product?
So you have a great idea for a product you want to create, but where do you start? What are you going to do first? I have been there before and I want to help make your journey a little easier with my experience in creating and designing my first product.
Put Your Ideas On Paper… Sketch It All Out
I will try to keep this relatively short and get to the point. First thing you should do is draw your idea out. Make a rough draft of what your product will look like, then write a description on how it will work. We are not concerned with explaining the benefits or the problem solving solutions our product offers… that’s a part of marketing.
Once you’re comfortable with what you have you can start searching for a graphic artist or manufacturer who can turn that paper dream into your physical product. Wait! Before you do that, I recommend you get yourself PROTECTED!
What Type Of Patent Should I Obtain?
About 12 years ago or so the government created what is called a provisional patent. It was created for the small guys like myself and anyone else who invents a product but doesn’t have the means to obtain an expensive patent. Do your research on provisional patents and find an attorney who can mail you a package. It’s very inexpensive as compared to the 20 year utility patent. A provisional patent usually protects you for up to one year and the cost runs you about $150 – $200 (at least that’s what I was charged a few years ago). So, for $150 you can now go out and talk to people about your idea without having to worry about someone infringing on your smarts.
The provisional patent comes with a written and instructional video that takes you step by step on properly filling it out. It honestly takes only a few hours to get it done. Your drawing is one step that may take you some time, but everything else is pretty straight forward and simple. In a few days (mailing it out) you can be on our way. After the year is up and the provisional is about to expire, then it’s up to you whether or not you want to pursue the utility patent which lasts for twenty years. That ran me about $3500, I wouldn’t pay $5000 – $10,000 some attorneys charge, don’t get ripped off; do your homework and research patent attorneys.
It is very important that you really get a patent attorney who knows how to write a solid patent. I don’t know exactly how to explain it because I’m not a patent attorney, but I know a well written patent is one that really has certain key elements to it that makes your idea really unique and untouchable. A well written patent can really make your idea protected in so many ways and that is what manufactures look for when searching for a product to license. The product is important of course, but a solid patent will ensure the manufacturer that any legal procedures will not hound them in the future.
Got My Provisional Patent…Now What?
So now you’re protected for one year. Go out and find a graphic artist for logo’s, box art, or whatever you need. Go online and search for manufacturers to build your product, or go to your public library and go through the Thomas register and search that way. I would try to stay domestic for your first production and if things go well, you may want to outsource to China or other countries to bring your costs down. Once you start getting things in order you will really start to feel the excitement.
Now you are patent protected and you had your graphic artist do your artwork. You either have your prototype or your product manufactured. Well now it’s all about marketing and this newsletter you are reading can really help you in that department. There is too much for me to explain here and I’m not a marketing expert like our other writers. I can give you some advice on trade shows. That is…. avoid them at all costs.
They are so expensive and the only ones that really sell and make money are the companies that sell you the $1500 booths. If you go, the best thing to do is network. Hand out business cards and brochures, talk with buyers and manufacturers. Do not spend $1500-$2500 on a booth unless you are already a big success. They hype up the shows telling you 1000’s of big buyers from all over the world will be there; half the time they don’t show up and if they do they come for a day and may never even see your booth. Seriously don’t waste your time and money. Going to socialize and network could be a very good idea, and you don’t need a booth to do that.
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By Rich Chille
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This article first appeared in the September 2008 issue of the MarketingDotCom newsletter. You can get a free copy of the latest issue for the price of shipping at http://the7figuresecrets.com