Inventing 101: Get Started With Your Invention

by Mike Marks

The key is to invest time and money carefully

How do you know if your invention will be a commercial success?

An invention idea is great if:
It solves a problem that people want solved (including problems people did not know they had) and everyone involved in designing, manufacturing, and marketing the product can make better than normal profits.

That's it! If an inventor has a product idea that people want to buy and a way to make and sell it at a healthy profit, then they've won half the battle. Ideally the target market should be a group that is easy to define and reach. This could mean a specific trade group such as dentists or it could mean the broad consumer market – if the product is appropriate for everyone. Click on the links below to learn more about the process of identifying the potential for success and how to take the first steps to realize that success (while keeping as much money as possible in your wallet).

Here are the steps to getting started:

Step 1: A Great Invention Idea

Step 2: Guard Your Wallet

Step 3A: Protect Your Invention – First Stage

Step 3B: Protect Your Invention - Second Stage

Step 3C: Understand Patent Protection

Step 4: Presenting Your Invention

Step 5. Confirm the Invention

Step 6. Make an Invention Prototype

Appendix

Provisional Patent (USPTO info)

More About Confidentiality Agreements

Example Confidentiality Agreement – 1st stage

Example Confidentiality Agreement – 2nd stage

Example Mutual Confidentiality Agreement

Learn about Invention Licensing in Inventing 102