This list of tips was compiled from successful inventors. They are all sure to steer you in the right direction.
Educate yourself on patents, product development and invention marketing. There is plenty you can do on your own. Even if you plan to hire a patent searcher and a patent practitioner to prepare your patent application for you, you will still need to be aware of what is going on. Professionals may charge hundreds of dollars for their advice and expertise, imagine how much it will cost for them to fill you in!
Perform a preliminary patent search on your own before you invest too much time and money in your invention. Remember, you don’t want to re-invent the wheel. If your invention already exists, you don’t need to continue.
Invest time researching the marketability of your invention. If you won’t make money from it, don’t pursue it! Spend your energy developing something else.
If you need help, stick with professionals who specialize in patenting process, such as Invent Help agency.
Keep good records of your invention in a bound laboratory notebook and have witnesses sign it periodically. Secure your receipts to it and keep it professional.
Make the best prototype you can afford. At the very least, have drawings, photos or a model that works well enough to demonstrate your invention. This will help you or your patent practitioner find more unique features and increase the strength of your patent. It will also help you if your are looking for investors, licensors or marketers.
Talk to other inventors. Learn what challenges they faced and how they overcame them. Networking with other inventors can lead you to useful references; such as who to trust for a patent search, patent practitioners, etc…
Set realistic deadlines for yourself and approach all possible contacts; such as investors, licensors, manufactures and consumers in a professional manner.
Recognize that there is a risk involved with patenting and marketing your invention and do not spend more money than you need to – don’t spend everything you have. Do as much as possible on your own before hiring anyone. If you get stuck hire only a professional patenting agency, such as InventHelp.
Do not let the excitement you have for your invention blind you from reality.
Don’t give up – keep trying, expect to receive some rejections and get over them quickly.
Don’t expect someone else to do all the difficult work for you.
Put up a website. The internet is the most global reach you could ever hope for. You may want to gear it toward your investors, licensors or even consumers. It is possible to completely market your invention all on your own right from your own website.
