Many inventors that fall by the wayside have great ideas but they fail to gain the trust of the people they need to help them. One major factor in why they lose that trust is that they don’t show they have enough business savvy for others to trust them to deliver. This is not because the inventor’s intentions are bad, but because they don’t show they have the experience to understand the task in front of them or to execute the tasks once they understand what to do. But that doesn’t mean inventors are doomed, it just means that they need to take a little bit of time to bring themselves up to speed on the market and the process of introducing a product so they look like a winner. You will make a much better presentation if you follow these steps before going out to talk to people in the market.

Important Tip: Don’t ever say that you have a “can’t miss” idea, a “blockbuster” idea, or that you have a product that is sure to be taken by Wal-Mart. Instead just say that you have an interesting idea that you believe has market potential. Telling people you have a “can’t miss” idea will only convince new product experts that you are a rookie with no idea of what you’re doing.

Step 1: Do a professional information sheet on your product

Include these items and a picture of your prototype or a drawing if possible.

1. Brief product description.
2. Why you developed the idea.
3. Target customer: be specific about the target customer, don’t say everyone. For example if you have a kitchen item, you might be tempted to say everyone, but that is not nearly as effective as stating people who buy three to five new kitchen utensils per year, and buy new pots every five years. People want to know that you have narrowed your market.
4. Main product benefits.
5. The products people are buying now to achieve the same purpose your product fills. (It is extremely helpful to have brochures, or print outs from web pages.) Be sure to check out an industry directory for products and not just rely on your local stores. You can typically find a product directory at trade magazine web sites.
6. Target price.
7. Sales outlets, where the products will be sold.
8. Distribution outlets, what type of distributors or manufacturers representatives can be used to sell the product.
9.  

If you don’t know this information you can get help with your specific product from SCORE, which are retired business executives who offer free help. Find your local contact at http://www.score.org . Another good source is your local Small Business Development Center which you can locate at http://www.sba.gov. Both of these organizations can help you define your distribution channel and also the sales outlets where you will sell your product.

You should put all this information on no more than two pages of paper. Then whenever you talk about your interesting idea you can show someone that you have in fact done your homework. The brochures about other products can be attachments.

Step 2: Show why you are knowledgeable about your product idea

People always will take more interest in your idea if there is a reason that you have specialized knowledge about the product area that will convince people you might have a unique innovative product. People will take notice if an operating room nurse creates an idea for removing the fluids that are used to cleanse body cavities during surgery. That’s because the person really understands the needs of the users. They will also take notice if the inventor is an avowed hobbyist, with tremendous passion for his or her hobby. Another are where people take notice is if you are in the distribution channel for the product. People will listen to a mom who is also a baby products manufacturing representative who has a new baby product.

You can still adjust if you don’t have a background that suggests you really understand your product. You just need to get the support of someone who does have the background. For example a mom with a baby product just needs to find a baby store owner or a baby product’s manufactures’ representative to support the product. You can even give the person a 5% stake in the product so you can call them a partner. How do you find people who can support your product? First, you can network with the people you know. Ask your family and friends if they know anyone who works for a baby stores, a baby products manufacturer, or is a baby products representative.

If networking doesn’t work, locate the industry’s trade magazine, which you can typically do with an Internet search for trade magazine. A search for Hardware Trade Magazines” will turn up several industry trade magazines. Those magazines will list the names of industry trade shows, which you can attend to meet new contacts. You can also request literature from companies advertising, or posting new product announcements in the trade magazines.  Typically the literature comes with the name of the local sales person. Then all you have to do is call people up and tell the sales person you are looking for an advisor on your new product. Tell them you are willing to give an advisor 5% ownership in your idea and ask them if you can take them to lunch to discuss your idea.

Step 3: Pick a distribution channel you can penetrate and have a plan to do so

You just can’t tell people you are going to sell your product at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart rarely buys from a small one product company, especially one without commercial success. You need to instead focus on a distribution channel you can penetrate and have a specific plan to do that. You almost always are better off starting with a specialized distribution outlet. If you have a baby item, start at specialized baby stores. With a kitchen item, start selling at small kitchen stores to build up success that will help you get into bigger stores. If you have a faux painting sponge that does specialized prints, you might start selling first to painters, then to paint stores, and then finally to Home Depot.

Once you choose a distribution channel you  need a plan on how you are going to sell to that channel, through distributors, manufacturers representatives, or direct sales to some small regional chains. To learn more about your distribution outlets read industry trade magazines that will talk often about distribution, or use the contacts you’ve met networking or by attending small shows trade in your areas. You can also get help from the SCORE or SBDC organizations mentioned earlier in the article.

Step 4: Create a Target Customer Profile Chart

One of the final steps that shows you’ve done your homework is to create a customer profile chart that details the market opportunity that is available for your product.

Target Market Profile – Faux Painting Supplies

Market Segment	Needs	How Needs Are Met	Products Purchased
High end wallpaper and paint contractors	Patterned Look	Use sea sponges and then make their own designs from the sponges	Sea sponges
Midrange paint contractors	Patterned and standard look	Use sea sponges for standard looks, unable to do complex patterns.	Sea sponges
New users wanting a sponge look	Standard sponge look with simple pattern	Sea sponges	Sea sponges
New users wanting pattern wallpaper-type look	Advanced patterns	Products not available	None available

This chart shows there is a market opening of advanced pattern sponges that can be used for new users wanting complex patterns that produce a wall paper type look. You can also make a case that an advanced pattern sponge would sell to the mid to small-size painting contractors who are unable to create their own advanced patterns.

Step 5: Have a great name, slogan and packaging concept

People in the new product business consider a great name, slogan and packaging just as important as having a great product. Sometimes it is more important. But be sure to do a trademark search for the name you want to use. Many times inventors use names that are already associated with products in the industry and making that mistake will hurt your image.

Slogans and a drawing of what your package will look like also show two important facts to the people you talk to. First, it shows that you have worked hard on your invention and are preparing realistically to bring your product to market. This is a big advance over many inventors who quickly sketch up a drawing and then expect to make millions. Second, it shows you are concerned about selling your product and that you know that sales is the toughest part of introducing any new product. Again this shows you are aware of the work that lies before you, and that you have enough business savvy to possibly launch your product

Many inventors fail with great ideas because they don’t do their homework, which makes them look unprofessional. If you look unprofessional, people won’t even give your idea a serious look. Do your homework so your idea has a chance to succeed. If you believe in your idea, don’t just expect instant wealth, but instead make a commitment to do the work to turn yourself and your product into a winner.