Looks legit to me. It’s always good to be cautious, but don’t be so scared as not to give your idea a chance.

“Being Demonstrable” sounds like a no-brainer until you explore a little further and imagine trying to do an infomercial around an adhesive bandage (Band-Aid). I believe the ASOTV marketers seem to be more interested in products that can, in addition to Kelce’s list, be demonstrated in an interesting and stimulating fashion. A Band-Aid is one example of a product which would probably never be any more interesting than mashed potatos even on a big name celeb. so it would score low on their scale and then there is the category of products that by themselves are not interesting e.g. an eight foot rope with a handle on each end but, can be made very interesting by way of a “jumprope” demonstration giving it a higher score.
Also the “expandable factor” or “repetitive sales factor” (for lack of the right term). Think printers. They are practically giving them away but the custom print cartridges you have to purchase from the printer manufacturer is where they have you locked into future profits.
I’m no expert either but these terms have come up in my journey.

Ralph,

Check out the topic: Is EdisonNation best for widgets?

Your comments regarding mass appeal are also valuable for narrowing a set of ideas into good submission candidates.

Here is a quick checklist that I use for my own prioritization:
1. Appeal to the typical consumer in a large market segment that has disposable income
(perhaps weight market segment size by amount of disposable income per person in that segment)
Can be achieved by either
1.a. Emotional appeal (even if no real utility – think “pet rocks”); OR
1.b. Rapidly understood utility
Can be achieved by either
1.b.1 Solves a problem that is widely perceived to be a problem; OR
1.b.2.a Market can be easily and rapidly convinced they have a problem; AND
1.b.2.b The product is a readily-seen solution to the problem people didn’t realize they had until just a minute ago.

2. a notable cost/benefit advantage exists over other solutions for at least one of the manufacturer and the consumer.
Compared to existing competitive products
2.a. Manufacturer benefit is reduced cost to produce (easier mfg, longer lasting, lower cost)
2.b. Consumer sees more features at the same cost; or same features at a lower cost; or maybe even fewer features but at a drastically reduced cost.

3. Advantages 1 and 2 above can be comunicated rapidly and convincingly.

4. IP issues. See the other post about the products being “single patent products” in which a manufacturer can obtain all the necessary rights from a single source.

This final item is often overlooked. Perhaps you can get a patent on your idea. But that doesn’t mean a manufacturer can build your idea without subjecting itself to patent assertions by other patent holders who have older patents.

For example, consider an improvement to a bagel toaster, and suppose that you have an issued patent in the idea. But in order to build the improved toaster, someone stills need to build what really does amount to some version of a toaster. If the underlying toaster design is patented by someone else, then whoever wants to build your improved toaster will have to pay you royalties, plus all of the other patent holders in the area, too. That may become prohibitively expensive.

So, for that reason, I believe EN favors products that are sufficiently simple (even if exceptionally clever)that it is unlikely there will be any need to obtain patent licenses on underlying patents. There is an exception when the manufacturer already has a patent portfolio, and thus either already owns the underlying rights, or has obtained the necessary rights in a cross licensing deal with its competitors.

Those are my thoughts, but then I’ve never made it past G7. So, I won’t claim to be an expert. Maybe someone else can chime in with some factors that I forgot.

Yes.

Question for Ralf:

When you said “I’ve learned it doesn’t really matter if the idea exists or not, it’s how to package and market it differently. It also doesn’t seem to matter if the idea really works or not so long as it sort of almost does the job.”; you were primarily speaking about products for ASOTV? Is that correct?

No app for dat…it is an inherent twitch ….I think……..

I meant the wit

It is called a calculator Kevin…..there are dozens of apps of them…

After I looked back @ what I posted, I saw that it ain’t so clear.

Your 1 g7 will cost you another $75 to resubmit 3 times, for a total of $100.
Insiders would pay $20 (total) to submit it 4 times, and get 8 months of Insider-hood (8*9.25) = $74….and still be $6 ahead. (outsider $100. insider $20 + $74=$94.)

And you are right, with all the new searches, it’s hard for even someone of few ideas to not see this math. So an additional idea submitted 4 times by non-insider brings their 8 month bill to $200. The Insider’s?….$114.

One more idea submitted 4 times?…Outsider …another $100, for a total in 8 months of $300. Insider $134. That’s all for 3 ideas, which I would guess is a person of few ideas’ production.

EDIT
Ok, Penster has better wit and more current math…haha…and I have bad timing…Penster is there an App for that? :-)

Ralf…….2 non-insider submissions to innovation – 2x$100 = $200 Insider 2×35 = $70 + free opt ins etc. more$$$$ saved.

Cost……per day 30 cents….covered by savings

Of course you have to consider your traffic encounters and relative expense-tickets…….LOL

Goodol I’m still ahead in the long run but if they keep loading on searches I’ll have to join the insiders. Plus you didn’t factor in that none were resubmissions so you still have to pay $20 a shot.

Other companies promise to take your invention before retailers and manufacturers for exorbitant rates and it usually never happens the way they promise. Remember that Scott Dromms really and truly does go into a den of lions each and every time he presents our inventions to executives at top-notch companies and he does it many times on their own turf and he addresses technological issues in their own R&D or operational field of expertise. That’s a very, very difficult thing to do! It’s probably like a Shark Tank or Dragon’s Den on steroids! Try to get any other invention development company to deliver the goods like EN does for the very reasonable price they ask from members.

Ralf, 3 more submissions of your g7…$75. (3*$25). Insider-hood … 8 MONTHS * $9.25 = $74. Applying this math to even “being a person of few ideas”…priceless.

;-)

It’s a fair question Jimmy that can be applied to any invention process from the patent office to the dangers of going it alone. As Fairin said, there are more ideas than products so if your amazingly great ideas aren’t produced, it’s easy to feel ripped off. I trust EN and I feel by sticking with it, I’m becoming a better inventor, self questioning and more aware of where i can improve. I’m not on a stop loss schedule but I should be on a stop impulsively submitting the first thing that comes into my mind schedule.

The question is not whether EN makes most of its money from submissions or not, it’s how much EN charges for those submissions compared to other venues into the invention process and whether success stories exist. The answer is clear.

However, if EN was completely geared to licencing success, I don’t understand why they don’t keep a file of truly great ideas that may not make it in one search but would in another. I guess, as I’m writing this, I’m seeing the Insider program is their way of doing this. For an extra monthly fee you just resubmit to as many searches as you like. If you’re a person of few ideas, it may be more cost effective to pay the full submission fee as needed. So being an insider is somewhat of a status symbol which I have not yet attained.

P.S. As more of the success stories come to light, it becomes clearer of what EN is looking for. I’ve learned it doesn’t really matter if the idea exists or not, it’s how to package and market it differently. It also doesn’t seem to matter if the idea really works or not so long as it sort of almost does the job. I’ve also learned not to invent things I like and use but try to imagine what others would think is neat. My first G7 was the beginning of this new strategy and I’ll see if it works for my next 3 submissions.

Common sense would say there are always more ideas than products….

Hi Jimmy & Sandy,

I don’t know if there is anything can say that might convince you if you’re a true skeptic. I will say that I personally watched the forums for six months and did my due diligence and even submitted a bogus invention to see the process in action. After all that and disappointed with other venues and broken promises I joined and submitted in a big way. I even gave myself a stop-loss of 6 months and $300.

This thing is real. Now it has been nearly a year and people throughout this family are finding success. Really, there is nothing out there that will teach the inventor the process of inventorship better than these forums and this company. Stick around and watch the forums. EN staff comments all the time and they involve us in road trips. They truly want our products to succeed.

Like I said, nothing I can say will convince you of anything if you are a true skeptic. If I were you though, I would set a plan with an exit strategy and a stop loss. Give it a shot with confidence and if it doesn’t work for you, at least you have a plan.

Welcome to EN

Stay THIRSTY, stay GREEN,
CHAPPY!

I am also new here and a little skeptical. My question is: does Edison Nation make most of it’s money from submission fees or by getting commisions by being a product agent?

It’s an easy scam (if it is), by preying on inventors’ prayers.

I’m glad you asked the question, Corey. I am new here too and have submitted several ideas to another company in the past and have always gotten the “sorry, but no thanks,” type of response. I have always been one who has ideas, but I have very little knowledge about how to develop and/or bring any of them to market. I’m excited to have an opportunity to submit ideas and who knows—maybe one of these days one of my ideas will take flight! :-D

The proof is in the products. This train is just getting started.

Thanks for the post. John didn’t scare me off. Asking the question is like a mathematical proof. I already know 2+2=4 but my high school calculus teacher always made me prove that. I figured asking that question and seeing what type of replies I get is a good place to start. My use of the word “scam” is probably a little harsh. I started one thing on another similar site, we’ll just call it “corky” so i don’t give away the company name. It’s a reputable company but what they don’t say is it is designed for certain type of niche products and if you don’t fit that niche they won’t accept it. But they won’t tell you beforehand. So there is ok ways to go, scam ways to go, and good ways to go depending on the product. Not that I regret it in any way but it would of saved me time and $10 if I would have done a little more research. Good thing I didn’t use a very good idea for my “test run.”

I’m glad to hear all your success stories. Hopefully I can be giving that advice after I’ve had some success someday down the road. I’m looking forward to letting the games begin! Thanks for the input and hope to get to know you all better.

Corey
The site is legit. Several folks have had “extreme” success here…. This is not to say that it is a lay-up to get your invention picked by a company and you will become an over-night millionaire. The site (and Company) are legit, they actually do what they say they do (& Frankly very well), but the searches are VERY competitive. Only the very BEST ideas make it through the gauntlet of level review & scrutiny, not to mention a lot of other very creative inventors are submitting their ideas as well…

So in a nutshell, yes the site (EN & sister Companies) are legit, the EN staff is great at what they do & have the successes to prove it, the searches are VERY competitive and only the best ideas make it through, the inventors in this community & forums are intensely creative, genuine, and supportive.

Wishing you ALL the Best and MUCH Success here!
STAY GREEN!!!

Corey,
It’s Real and NOT a scam…

I believe John unintentionally scared Corey away from EN along with half of the current membership! What John said is like saying a tiger has long claws and sharp teeth to eat you, but you decide if the tiger is mean or not before you choose to get inside a cage with it!

Hi Corey, I’m a real person with a real job and family. When I found out about EN, I entered a few ideas for fun. One of them was chosen for an ASOTV search. EN and the sponsor named it ‘Eggies’ and it’s now on store shelves everywhere. My $25 dollar submission fee for that is all I will ever have to pay. EN is real allright! Surreal, if ya ask me!!! :-) Have fun, and good luck! There are some GREAT people on these forums. They are always willing to help!

Corey:
Let me give you some helpful pointers:

Of course you know “this site” is a front to a company. If you need proof of that, just look up at the URL. It ends with ‘dot com’.
The company name is: Edison Nation, LLC ; with a little more research you will quickly determine that Edison Nation, LLC has contextual links to another company : Everyday Edisons, LLC. Everyday Edisons, LLC produce a television show named : Everyday Edisons. You may have seen this on PBS or even HULU.

Armed with this information, you must now do your own due diligence into these companies; to determine if you will participate in the activities of “this site”.

The conditions you mentioned are the ones I’d suggest.