Turning your Invention into a Product

The process to turn your invention into a product sold in the retail market is relatively easy if you follow some basic rules:

1. Refine your invention:
give great thought to who may buy and use your product. Is your invention at its most simple, easy to use, easily understood by the general public and easy to manufacture?

2. Make a Prototype:
Once you have finalized your invention, its now time to make a prototype that clearly illustrates the purpose and need for such a product. Therefore your prototype must work as it would if it was a product. Your prototype doesn't have to be perfect, just be able to work. This prototype will be used to show potential distributors / investors / manufacturers or marketers and media. Before showing or discussing your prototype or idea with anyone, have them sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Your can download a generic version from my website on the bottom of the "Products Page" at: http://www.titetie.com.au

3. Create a CAD File:
Once you are happy with your prototype and have had good feedback from people, you need to create a 3D CAD file of your invention. This CAD file will be used to get accurate quotes from manufacturers. Check your local tech schools for a freelance CAD designer, some students are very good and more than happy to work on a real project, and most importantly cheap.

4. Get a Quote:
Now that you have your prototype, Non-Disclosure Agreement and matching CAD file you can approach manufacturers throughout the world and start getting quotes to manufacture. I use a website called http://www.alibaba.com . There you can search for manufacturers who best suit your invention. Most manufacturers in China also offer packaging of your product, so be sure you know what type of packaging you want. Tip: search for manufacturers who currently make products like your invention. They will understand your idea better and may be able to assist you with finding distributors throughout the world. They may also be interested in licensing your invention from you. Its very important you get them to sign your Non-Disclosure Agreement first. Tip: The "End Price" of your product should be 5 times "Your Price". Your price is the manufacturer's price plus your cut. This 5 times rule is what most distributors use when buying a product. If when multiplied by 5, your product is too expensive in its market, you will find it hard to sell your product. Everyone needs to make money, and the more money they make, the more likely they will be interested in your product.

5. Get a Patent:
By now you should have a pretty good idea about the market your product will sell in, and have good understanding of the demand for your product. Only when you are sure there is a demand for your product, get a patent. The patent process can initially cost $3,500 and you do not want to proceed if there's no demand for your product nor if your product is priced out of the market. Apply for a provisional patent first. This covers you throughout the world and allows you to discuss your product openly. But hurry because you only have 1 year before the provisional patent expires. Use that year to find distributors in as many countries as possible. Tip: start looking in the US and Europe first.

6. Expose your Product:
Now that your product has found a market and is protected, go out and expose it to the world as quickly as possible and to as many people as possible. This is the hardest step and can be the most expensive. Here are some ways to go about it:
- build a website with videos demonstrating the product, also add those videos to YouTube and link back to your website
- upload you videos to other YouTude like site, and discuss your product in forums
- get some magnetic signs for you car, tshirts and caps and give them to friends in the industry and possible customers
- demonstrate your product at trade shows, markets and field days
- write a media release and contact your local newspaper, and related magazines
- enter invention trade shows, competitions and TV shows like the New Inventors Tip: do this first, inventors shows could loose interest in your product if they think too many people already know about it.
- create a one page flyer that quickly sums up your product
- run ads on regional TV like WIN TV. WINTV is very affordable and can get your product out there quickly plus generate sales. Tip: be prepared to leave stock at stores on consignment.

Anything you can do to draw attention to your product is worth doing, as they say any publicity is good publicity. Tip: Once you start exposing your product, be ready to supply. There's no point in creating a demand if you cannot supply it straight away.

If anyone else has advice or would like to add to this Blog. please feel free to add some

Packing your Product

One thing to consider when thinking about packaging your product, is how will the product sit on the shelf in the store. Will it be clip-stripped, hung on a peg, or cut-case. Most big-box stores these days like to cut-case and present the product to the customer in its own display box or inner box. So your packaging design needs to work well with your display box. To do this simply add your product logo or an image of the product to the front of the display box. In back and white is OK.

Another thing to consider is the shipper carton or outer box. The shipper carton plays an important role, it protects your product during shipping so your product arrives at the store looking shinny and new. One way to test your shipper carton is to drop it onto concrete from the back of a truck. If you product inside survives its good enough. Your manufacturer is the best person to advise on the size and type of cardboard for both the display and shipper boxes.

See below a video I made illustrating the display and shipper boxes for the TiteTie:

New forum for New Inventors

Welcome to everyone who wants to talk inventions and products.

This is forum is portal for inventors, want-to-be inventors, product scouts, manufacturers, product developers and distributors to open the channels of communication and connect with each other.

So feel free to post your ideas, ask questions, promote your new product/service, discuss other products and leave your contact details, web address and email address.

Its time to talk, share knowledge, network and turn your ideas into products.