{Don Debelak’s new book, Turning Your Invention into Cash is now available on Amazon for $3.49. Go to Amazon.com and enter inventions Don Debelak to purchase. From the author of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Bringing Your Product to Market.}

1. Look for a sounding board. Your goal in visiting an inventor’s club is to meet “soul mates, people who had been through what your are going through to bounce ideas off [them].” The spirit of camaraderie is strong in most inventors’ clubs, and that’s what keeps even experienced inventors coming back. To find an inventors’ club near you, visit the United Inventors of America Web site (www.uiausa.com) or Inventors’ Digest magazine online (www.inventorsdigest.com).
2. Make contact. One of the most valuable assets of an inventors’ club is its membership list, and it pays to get to know the people on that list. Members of most clubs include industrial designers, marketers,

1. prototype builders and patent attorneys.
2. Present your ideas to the group for feedback and help. Inventor clubs typically give plenty of opportunities for inventors to throw out questions or problems to the group for input. Some groups hold question-and-answer sessions, while others organize round-table discussions on specific topics, such as marketing, manufacturing, patenting or licensing. Some clubs even let inventors make full presentations to the group and receive feedback.
3. Get a variety of input. Inventors’ clubs tend to attract inventors who work at large corporations as well as those at small businesses. This variety in the membership allows an entrepreneur to gain many different perspectives–whether it’s regarding the resources available
4. to inventors or advice on how ideas are sold to businesses. Inventors from large companies are also typically aware of all the latest technology available to help inventors.

Things To Keep in Mind

1. All industries are different. This is especially true in terms of patent strategy. In some markets, companies won’t even talk to an inventor unless he or she has a patent, while other markets and industries will license and negotiate with inventors even if they lack a patent. It helps to talk to members of your inventors’ club who have experience in your industry.
2. Don’t rely solely on the inventors’ club for contacts. For a better shot at success, you should also find at least one or two contacts outside the club who have recent experience in your particular industry.
3. A second opinion can make all the difference. New inventors frequently expect success to come right away, so when they run into obstacles, many end up giving up far too easily. Before ditching your idea, visit an inventors’ club and explain your situation. You may discover that you’re doing just fine and that all you need is a little more perseverance.
4. Everybody needs help. A successful invention requires someone to create it, design its look and its function, write a patent, make a
5. prototype, design the packaging, create a marketing strategy and eventually manufacture the product. Since few people possess all these skills, inventors don’t always get the results they want when they try to do everything themselves. Now’s a good time to admit that you could benefit from some help.
6. There is always a less expensive way. Inventors often have trouble keeping to a budget, mostly because they don’t know how to cut costs at each step. Inventors’ clubs will teach members how to keep prices down in every phase of a product introduction.
7. down in every phase of a product introduction.
8. Your creativity always needs nurturing. When you join an inventors’ club, you’ll get to see innovations from fellow inventors and hear a group of talented people offer their suggestions on how to solve a vast array of problems. Spending time with other bright minds will surely inspire you to think more creatively.
9. Inventors’ clubs are fun. Really. Most clubs hold contests, feature fascinating guest speakers, have plenty of interesting inventors as members and, most of all, spark great conversations.

To find an inventors club in your area go to https://www.uspto.gov/custom-page/inventor-organizations