As Sexxxy stated above when you are writing your sell sheet you want to be as positive as possible. I am not saying to lie. I am saying to promote your product in a positive manner showing you have confidence in your product.

Consider these statements:

1 A. My product should save the user about 30 minutes labor every time the product is used.

2 A. My product will save the user 30 minutes labor every time it’s used.

Second example:

1 B. I think my product might perform better than most of the other competitors.

2 B. Tests have proven my product out performs any competitors products currently on the market.

Which two of these statements makes you sound more confident in your product? Write your pitch and then leave it alone for a while. Come back to it and then read it to see if it sounds positive or sort of wishy washy ( wishy washy is a technical term) LOL.

http://www.rogerbrown,net

Thanks, Beast! I may have to tweak some wording on a few submissions now…

So Roger asked me to tell you what progress has happened so far…

To put it as simply as possible my pitch needs to be more to the point and without any negative points in the “sell sheet” It should be a couple paragraphs long and you should always mention with certainty, for example, replace may, can, should, with will, does, must. Never mention any legal mumbo jumbo or legal documents like NDA’s in the sell sheet, that puts people off.

Thanks Roger.

Sexxxy, you need to make sure you are using terms that the industry uses in its right context otherwise there can be confusion and misunderstandings on both parties part. Most companies refer to NDAs as agreements and the term contract for licensing or long term business deals.

You stated: " Though I didnt completely meet their guide lines by not disclosing the actual product I am hoping that they will see the immense world wide potential of this accessory. I did describe it and the benefits to their company. If they dont accept it I simply will submit it again with full disclosure (that is if I get desperate enough). "

In the future I would not use this tactic. You want to make your first impression a good one. By not following the rules and sayiing you will just resend it later you are assuming that they will dismiss your first attempt and welcome you with open arms the next time around. As you stated they get a huge amount of submissions so losing yours would not be a big hit for them.

I received your email and attachment and have responded to it. I hope the suggestions I made to your email help.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Roger,

Sorry I do seem confusing, im not a great story teller.

1st, The contract they are sending me is to acknoledge that any submisssion I send them isnt in confidence. I say contract because they require that i sign it.

2nd, The 2 large companies state they dont accept any submission in confidence, meaning its a public disclosure. I wrote the ppa’s myself and though I am certain I cant think of anything else to write in it, thats not to say I wrote it completely correctly or that a professional industrial designer couldnt work a way around it. Thats why I tried smaller companies in hopes they would do the NDA like you recommend. We would have the option to use my PPA or simply write a new professionally done patent for the product.

3rd, Though I didnt completely meet their guide lines by not disclosing the actual product I am hoping that they will see the immense world wide potential of this accessory. I did describe it and the benefits to their company. If they dont accept it I simply will submit it again with full disclosure (that is if I get desperate enough). The second reason not to disclose the idea to them is that as soon as I disclose the product to them I will not be able to get an international patent.

I do not submit my idea to most companies only the 2 that replied had a general description of what I am talking about. I simply ask

“Hello,

My name is ________ and I have a product idea that I feel would work well with your existing product line, does your company accept 3rd party product ideas?

Sincerely,
"

I simply ask what their policy is, I emailed 40 companies with that question only got 2 replies.

None of whom replied in a professional manor, one even replied with “whacha got?”

Before that I tried calling them, I was unable to even talk to an actual person just directory and answering machines, accept for Scorche. I asked the sales person if they accept 3rd party product ideas and they transferred me around the office until I simply gave up. They didnt even tell me they were transferring me or the name of the person who I was being transferred to! I dont believe the problem is that im screwing up my relationship with these companies I am having trouble simply contacting anyone there. I DO agree with you Roger that I may have messed up the first contact I made in regards to the bathroom product, its a learning experience to me. Its weird because I am a business owner and I personally dont mind if someone calls me up with a new product as long as they understand how I as a business owner works. I did get a call from an inventor who had a solar powered light for my products, i thought it was a good idea but he wanted $80 each. If it was $10 id buy a few but do you know how many flash lights you can buy for $80? He didnt realize that it isnt a benefit to me to pay that much for that light.

I believe cellphone accessory companies must be bombarded with so many product ideas they simply gave up long ago. Thats why I even have 40 companies to email because when they get rejected they simply start their own!!! Also if they reply to my request they may get spam mail.

As per my research this is a huge market to get into, almost everyone has a cell phone, even apps for cell phones can generate serious income. The Iphone 4 sold 1.6 million copies in 4 days! Google is activating 100,000 new android accounts daily, if my dreams came true and I was able to capture just 1% of that share, and my estimated $0.25 royalty per item sold equates to 1000×0.25= $250 daily assuming that I were only to allow sales my accessory to all new android phones (not existing ones), thats $7500 a month. I know that doesnt seem like much but thats alot more then most people make in a month thats a low end scenario.

About the luggage idea, there is already 4 companies that sell a product that does one of my features. 1 of those 4 companies made $5 million in 2007. Their idea is vastly inferior to mine but they have great marketing. They sell their piece of luggage for $200 for the carry on version. They proved they could sell it for that price and get away with it, my idea only adds an estimated $20 to the cost of a carry on luggage. I just wonder if the general audience would feel this product is useful considering that most people dont use their luggage that often.

Sexxxy, your post is very confusing. You state “continuing the story, so I am going to get a contract from a 3rd company now for my bathroom product, they state that the product has to be patented or patent pending. They will not take a product in confidence, they may share the design with their manufacturer or designers. This concerns me because I have not made a public disclosure of the product, when I tell these people what the idea is then I have for certain 1 year to file.”

You say you are going to get a contract from them and at the same time say that it has to be patented or patent pending and haven’t told them what it is yet. So, how can you have a contract with them?

Then you state this about your cell phone idea " Only 2 ever replied back with a question or 2, Both of them got positive answers to their concerns and havent replied since. There are 2 large cellphone accessories companies with open invention submissions, I have sent them both my idea."

It’s great you sent them a positive answer, but that doesn’t mean it is an answer that will change their mind. Why didn’t you send the idea to the two big companies first?

Your 3rd idea you said " isnt as easy to market because it would cost more then normal luggage" You just pointed out a major hurdle you need to address beofre you send the idea out. Unless your idea warrants the extra expense and the consumer would be willing to pay that extra expense for your features no company will take on a product that you say will cost the consumer more and doesn’t have a chance of giving them a return on their investment.

I really feel that you need to stop, take a break and really look at your approach to sending out submissions. You are ruining your chances if you are doing as you state here
“joking about the 2 days part I didnt really expect them to reply so fast, I actually dont expect them to reply at all because they clearly state they want drawings, description of the actual product. I just gave them the a general non descriptive description of what my product solves.”

You say you don’t expect them to reply because you know you did not send them what they require. Then why send it out at all. When you submit ideas/products to companies you are building a relaltionship with them for the present and the future. If you do not show you are professional enough to follow rules, why should they let you play?

I am not trying to beat up on you. I want to see everyone here succeed in their ventures. It just appears you are doing more to hurt your chances than help. Really stop and take look at how you are approaching this and ask is it working for you?

Send me one of your letters you have sent out to the cell phone company and let me see how you are approaching them.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Roger,

This is a different idea, ive submitted the idea a month ago. The other idea is just a baby compared to this one. I was joking about the 2 days part I didnt really expect them to reply so fast, I actually dont expect them to reply at all because they clearly state they want drawings, description of the actual product. I just gave them the a general non descriptive description of what my product solves.

…continuing the story, so I am going to get a contract from a 3rd company now for my bathroom product, they state that the product has to be patented or patent pending. They will not take a product in confidence, they may share the design with their manufacturer or designers. This concerns me because I have not made a public disclosure of the product, when I tell these people what the idea is then I have for certain 1 year to file. I also loose any international rights to the product. But since my product isnt used wide spread throughout the world this isnt too big of a deal to me on that issue. I am still going to give the first company some time, the person ive been emailing was on vacation until a day ago. Perhaps he is busy? I have never talked to this person on the phone but I feel I should call him and ask if they have rejected the idea. Do you guys think thats a good idea?

On my second invention in cellphone accessories, Ive hit a brick wall. I have contacted virtually every cellphone accessories manufacture that made one or more items that my device would replace. Only 2 ever replied back with a question or 2, Both of them got positive answers to their concerns and havent replied since. There are 2 large cellphone accessories companies with open invention submissions, I have sent them both my idea.

I have a 3rd idea involving luggage but that one to me isnt as easy to market because it would cost more then normal luggage, the two ideas above save money so its a no brainier to consumers. I may simply submit that idea to Enventy’s instead, see if they feel its worth the extra cost.

Sexxxy, you seem to have a low threshold on time. You seem to want an immediate answer. If you look at your other statement below you make it appear you pressured them into looking at your product or you would pull your business from them. These are not good methods to work with companies and expect to see a positive outcome.

You stated " Its now been 2 full days since I last spoke with them, since they last told me that they liked my space saving idea and wanted to know more about it. I am under the impression that they would tell me if they didnt like it because they already told me that one of my ideas wouldnt fit their product line, which is true!"

and " The one that did eventually see it had to have their arm twisted. I contacted their sales rep that I dealt with and told him that I had an idea I wanted them to see. Basically they knew if they didnt do anything about it id prefer not to be their customer. "

PERSISTENCE, PATIENCE AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Persistence- Dictionary.com defines persistence as “the act or fact of persisting.” I would expand on that definition to add “A controlled steady movement towards a goal”. Many Inventors tend to be overly pushy and demanding wanting answers immediately from the company they are trying to get interested in their product idea. There is a fine line between Persistence and being a Pest. Once that line is crossed your chances of success are lost.

Patience-If you don’t have it, you better start learning it. Inventing is a love/hate relationship. You love your idea and want the world to buy it, but you hate the time it takes to get it to market. No matter how much control you think you have over your project there are always obstacles you can’t control. So, unless you are the sole person doing every aspect of the design, gathering materials, manufacturing, shipping, sales, marketing, product placement and own a chain of stores to sell it, you will be waiting on someone.

Positive Attitude- The final P is Positive Attitude. Without it the first two mean nothing. Your attitude can make or break your success. Whether it is a meeting with potential investors, a presentation of your idea to a company or speaking with a consumer about your product your attitude is key to your success.
You have to have faith in yourself and your idea. If you don’t why should anyone else? You don’t see an infomercial on T.V. saying “We think you might like our product.” Instead they are saying “You will love how it does _________ faster, better, easier.” Why, because they know these are words that are positive and tell the consumer the benefits of their product. They are stating all the positives to get you in that same frame of mind.
Ask yourself why you came up with this idea. Do you truly believe it will accomplish what you say it will? If you can be positive about your product and its benefits are real, not just hype, it will sell.

Remember- “Dreams are accomplished by people who do, not by people who wish”.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Still no word from the company who wanted to see the design, should I give up on them?

The story continues…

Well Ive been rejected by the only company in my industry that even wanted to look at it. They said that there isnt enough suppliers like me using the product to warrant creating a whole new mold for the product. Apparently this product is really only used widely in California. I really dont even need to worry about international patents because it isnt used significantly throughout the world.

I have not heard back from the manufacturer of another industry that seemed to like the idea. I have since created a prototype which worked out surprisingly well, I took some photos and sent it to that company for even further review. I dont want to harass them because I dont want to look desperate for their feedback. I have 2-3 more ideas to fall back on if this one fails. All i know is this, if your a consumer who uses both of these products, this product is for you, if you dont use both then there is no point to it.

Nice quote, Mark. Very inspirational. Thanks.

And you, Sexxxxxy Beast, getting new e-mails and screen names is indeed very easy. Good luck and all the best. Sincerely.

Oh no you miss understand, I didnt go into making this invention, I am in an industry that uses this stuff. I am a supplier!

I just let my business run into the ground because I was getting sued and didnt want to pay for a trial and possibly pay a crook.

My business is/was staying afloat but it was always just going to do just that, its the type of business where I cannot take vacations, have to deal with stupid customers who have a bone to pick with me or simply dont pay up, etc etc. Now the state of CA is cracking down on diesels so now my fleet would need to be completely changed over and I dont know how the heck im supposed to pay for all that BS.

If you read carefully I am only describing half of a story… The manufacturer is considering my idea. They have yet to reject it but I am like “are they going to go for it or not” ya know? I am on the knifes edge! The company that is considering this product supplies premium products. Though my product was originally designed to save money in my opinion my idea is right for them because they like a clean simple look and what is simpler then combining two things into one! Its now been 2 full days since I last spoke with them, since they last told me that they liked my space saving idea and wanted to know more about it. I am under the impression that they would tell me if they didnt like it because they already told me that one of my ideas wouldnt fit their product line, which is true!

So i guess im saying doubts are plaguing my brain!

Beast, one other thing. It sounds like you might be over extending yourself if you go into business for yourself, at least financially. This is one large undertaking, even for the simplest of products. Believe me, I got simple stuff and I still complicated it when I went into business.

There is a ton of things that you have to do. Especially the marketing! If you can presale, get 50% to lighten the financial pressure. Depending on the circumstances, you might not make a penny off a small production run. I keep forgetting that you’ve already tried your hand at business. I’m sure you realize many of the challenges you’ll face. Get moral support, you’ll probably be glad you have it.

No idea – but he/she is really good!

I wonder who wrote this speech for Theodore?

It is not the critic who counts – Not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he will fail while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat"

Guys,

There are a few of us that have, I don’t know what to call it, something… to go all into this. For me, it was like I wanted to try for a very long time, then one night when it seemed like I had to make a decision. The decision was to go into business, nothing about being an inventor. Anyone and everyone can be an inventor, heck I put that on my tax return one year, nobody argued with me.

The decision to go into business, shoot if I had known exactly all the challenges would I have still done it… Yep! Of course had I known then what would happen, I still would not have known how it feels emotionally to face those challenges. That in itself, seperates the “men from the boys”, I’m not saying that to give up means you failed, it takes a great deal of courage to get back up after you get your tail knocked off over and over and over.

I do realize the cost of doing business, and my industry is hurting big time, thats what gives me the doubts that I have because these guys arnt selling like they used to and the company im working with recently had a failed launch of a new product. They had an outside engineering firm come up with the design and they didn’t know too much about the industry so they made a very bad product. Though I believe that my product could be a benefit to them they simply may not have the money to invest into it. Its not only the machining, but the patents, and marketing too I would hope they’d do the whole thing.

Now I could get some sales orders but i believe i’d have to show the design to the customers to get those orders. Should I do that?

It would be easier if you had a track record of either sales or orders. The company would probably have to have molds made, buy the plastic or whatever it is made of, and all the other components, go into manufacturing and maybe buy a new machine to make just that product. Maybe they are looking at a $100,000 or more investment on an unproven track record. Would YOU do it? Artwork / graphics, UPC code, regulations clearly adhered to (plastic, lead, latex?) and marketing are not included in that up-front cost – and there is marketing and packaging and warehousing and distribution and bookkeeping, etc. The companies you are approaching may LOOK very successful but you don’t know the inner-workings and their cash-flow situation – maybe they aren’t as BIG or as successful as they appear. And how long before they see a profit? What if they have to pay you a ‘finders fee’ or whatever it is called and then it fails? Just a few thoughts about why a company might not pick up an idea.

As mentioned in another forum, the Sleepy Head Pillowcase got picked up by a catalog. Sounds great when you first read or hear that, right? Well, in order for me to ‘qualify’, I have to have them listed as an additional insured on a million dollar policy which costs $1000. They only want 6 each of two different patterns which meant that I had to order 50 yards of each fabric at $4/yard, plus freight, or a total of $630.88. Each unit takes almost 2 yards and I quoted them $11.25 each wholesale a while ago – before the cost of fleece and freight went up. So out of 50 yards, I will have excess yardage of about 38 yards and if the product doesn’t do well in that catalog, I will be stuck with the yardage unless another opportunity comes along. Its all a wild ride but if this exposure (in the catalog) gives me a track record, it can only help with any future negotiations for licensing or other catalogs.

Hope some of this helps – its called ‘business’ and it doesn’t matter if I am scum of the earth or not – they don’t care as long as they get what their regulations require.

Exactly, its like im the scum of the earth for trying to get them to make a product that could make them more money, its like they are content at making the same ol stuff that everyone else makes. Geez!

Even if its the best thing they have ever seen in there life and would have benefits to no end, it amazeses me that you still have to force it down there throats, this happens a lot, I have had similar, that I just gave up on.