Invention Help: 10 Tips for Getting Your Invention to the Market

Getting invention help to get your product to market can be a blessing or a curse. Let’s take an example of the latter: you’ve spent months working on an improved version of a lawnmower, and now it’s time to take it to the next level and sell it.

But, instead of rushing into things, you spend weeks making small improvements while also researching the best ways to get your invention out there. Finally, after much trial and error, you finalize everything and go back home with a prototype.

Now what? With so many companies competing for attention in today’s saturated market, getting your invention to the right buyer can be difficult.

Here are 10 tips that will help you get your invention from concept to retail store shelf. Let's unleash your inner Tesla or Dyson!

Be prepared to invest a lot of time and money

Creating a successful invention takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Inventors often have to put in long hours to develop their ideas and perfect their prototypes. In addition, they typically need to invest a significant amount of money in patent applications, market research, and product development.

As a result, those who are thinking about inventing something new should be prepared to make a significant investment of time and money.

However, the rewards can be well worth the effort, as successful inventions can lead to improved quality of life for consumers and profitable businesses for their creators.

Come up with a working prototype

The invention process can be broken down into a few key steps. The first is to come up with an idea. This can be inspired by a problem you’ve noticed that needs solving, or it could be something you’ve always wanted to see in the world. Once you have your idea, it’s important to do some research to make sure it hasn’t already been invented, and to see what similar products are out there. Once you’re confident your invention is unique, you can start working on a prototype.

A prototype is a physical model of your invention that allows you to test its feasibility and functionality. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it should be close enough to the real thing that you can effectively evaluate your invention. Not sure where to start? There are plenty of resources available on this website.

Hone your product or service offering before launching.

invention is something new or a novel device. Many inventors have a great invention but don't know how to bring the invention to market. Before you launch your invention, it is important to hone your product or service offering. This process of invention commercialization includes developing and perfecting your invention idea, creating a prototype, seeking feedback from potential customers, and making any necessary adjustments to your invention.

To hone your offering, start by doing some research into your target market. Who is most likely to use your invention? What needs does your target market have that your invention can address? Once you have a good understanding of your target market, you can then start to fine-tune your invention to meet their needs. This may involve making adjustments to the design or functionality of your invention, or developing a marketing strategy that resonates with your target audience. By taking the time to hone your invention before launching it, you'll be in a much better position to make a big splash in the marketplace.

Test drive your product or service offering with real users.

When you’re ready to start marketing your product or service, you have to test it with real users. It’s important to understand how to properly test your product, but the most efficient way is with a small group of people. You shouldn’t expect this group to represent all consumers, either.

Instead, you want them to be like-minded in regards to their interests and demographics. For example, if you’ve created an improved version of a lawnmower that can handle mowing on uneven terrain and spikey grass, then your test group should be made up of avid gardeners who are familiar with the problems associated with these issues.

Be honest about your product and its uses

When you're ready to take your invention to the market, it's important to be honest about your product and its potential uses. While it's tempting to try to sell your invention as a cure-all or solution to all sorts of problems, this is not only unrealistic but could also backfire.

First, if your product doesn't live up to the grandiose claims you make for it, you'll likely disappoint customers and damage your reputation.

Second, making false claims about your invention can come back to bite you later on, especially if someone decides to sue you for misrepresentation.

It's much better to be honest and upfront about your invention, setting realistic expectations from the start. This way, you're more likely to win over customers and avoid any legal trouble down the road.

Make sure you’re finding the right customers for your invention.

Too often, inventors get caught up in the excitement of their invention and forget to do their homework on who their target market is. It’s important to remember that not everyone is going to be interested in your product, no matter how great you think it is.

The truth is, when you've created something new, it can be tempting to want to sell it to everyone. But not every customer is a good fit for your product. In fact, trying to sell your invention to the wrong people can be a waste of time and money. So how can you make sure you're finding the right customers?

One way is to think about who your ideal customer is. Who is most likely to use your product and benefit from it? Once you've identified your ideal customer, you can start targeting them specifically with your marketing efforts. This will help you attract the right people and avoid wasting time on those who aren't interested in what you have to offer.

Another way to find the right customers is to ask for feedback. Talk to people who have already bought your product or who are using a similar product. What do they like about it? What could be improved? What other needs do they have that your product could address? Gathering this type of feedback will help you fine-tune your invention and make sure it's appealing to the people who are most likely to use it.

Finding the right customers for your invention is essential to its success. By taking the time to identify your ideal customer and gather feedback from users, you can make sure you're putting your invention in front of the right people and giving it the best chance for success.

Stay up-to-date on the demand for your invention and what it needs to reach the mass market.

It is essential to stay abreast of the demand for your invention, as well as what it needs to reach the mass market. This requires regularly researching the target market for the invention, understanding what their needs and desires are, and keeping up with changes in the market.

Your research should include competitive analysis, as well as pricing and distribution models currently in use. You should also research the cost of production and distribution, as well as any regulatory or safety requirements that may be applicable.

Keeping a finger on the pulse of the market can help you adjust your invention to the changing needs and ensure you remain competitive in the marketplace

Establish yourself as an expert in your field and become media-friendly.

If you are looking to take your invention to the market, it is essential to establish yourself as an expert in your field. This will not only help you gain credibility and trust from potential customers, but it will also help you build a network of connections with the right people.

Ways to do this include connecting with industry-specific influencers through social media, attending relevant conferences and workshops, and creating high-quality content that demonstrates your expertise.

Additionally, it is important to make yourself media-friendly by having a professional headshot, a comprehensive and up-to-date resume, and a compelling elevator pitch that you can use while networking. Finally, make sure you are visible and active on the right platforms — this could include platforms like LinkedIn

Stay positive and build relationships with people who can help you along the way.

Taking your invention to the market can be a long and arduous process. It's important to remain positive throughout the journey, and to build relationships with people who can help you succeed.

Reach out to professionals in the industry, such as attorneys and patent agents, to get reliable advice. You can also network with potential investors, providers of seed money, or grants to fund your project. It's also key to develop relationships with those in the manufacturing sector, distributors, and potential customers.

As you form these relationships, remain open to feedback and constructive criticism. Ultimately, having the right people in your corner can be the difference between success and failure.

Stay flexible and plan for the unexpected

In order to successfully bring your invention to the market, it is important to stay flexible and be prepared for any unexpected obstacles that may arise. No matter how much planning you do, you should always be open to the idea that something may come up that you had not anticipated.