first of roger, you know very well you could write your own book with all your knowledge ; ) i’d buy your book…….but the one i recommend all the time, and only because i am a mom myself, and i surround myself with other mom inventors, is The Mom Inventors Handbook by Tamara Monosoff……but i don’t think this book is limited to just moms…..as i have mentioned in another forum, overall inventing steps and business development are the same whether you invented the world’s newest baby blanket or lawn mower gadget……

I second that Roger … perhaps it’s in the works ?!?

Hi Roger,

The only book on inventing I ever picked up was “The Inventor’s Bible” by Ronald Louis Docie. Though it’s been a while since I read it, I don’t recall getting much out of it. It has topic information broken up into paragraphs or tid-bits under the heading(s) – mostly brief and broad. Information most may know if they’ve been through that particular process. The part I enjoyed most was his “Case Study: An Automobile Accessory”, since it was a real-life example.

The reason I joined this forum, was in hopes of receiving advice from those that have already worked through a process I may find myself stuck in. As you already know, I have benefited from my first post thanks to an experienced inventor such as yourself. The hardest part for me has been how to create a product – How to go from idea to item. That’s why “Everyday Edisons” is a successful concept, it’s a common obstacle.

I think I’d like to read a troubleshooting book/manual. Maybe something with a flowchart/ decision tree for different stages in the process. I would like to have seen a book on just the “Patent, Prototype, Market: Which To Do First?” topic, which is 1.5 pages in the “Inventor’s Bible”.

For most inventors I imagine money is probably the primary issue all around – Like in BulBob’s post “You’ll Need Lots of Money!” Not having money to burn, I’m taking the Zen approach of wearing down the rock slowly with water, or slowly placing drops in the bucket in order to fill it. Without funding all one may have is a drawing and a dream. (Allusion to Lottery Slogan intentional!)

Anyway, after reading “Inventor’s Bible” I became skeptical about “Inventing Books” and haven’t looked into any again. I am intrigued by your book concept though, which addresses the money issue, and hope you get it published. That one I’d like to pick up!

The first book I bought was Stand Alone Inventor by Robert G. Merrick. He tells his story of how he got started, and also examples of others. Lots of helpful, general type info about the process and how the system works (at least in the 70’s-80’s). I thought it was a great book to start with, and I found it really interesting. He invented the Military Pay Calculator, The Crystal-Date Watch Calendar, The Lint Mitt, and the business card Punch.

If anyone knows of good Inventing or related topics in Audio form I am very interested!!!

I thought Patent It Your Self! was a great way to learn about Intelectual Property and and of course filing for some rights at the PTO.

I think the “Inventors Bible” is fantastic. This is the first book I recommend.

It goes into detail about how to approach companies for licensing. There is a great deal of strategy in there.

Thanks for the great feedback. I also enjoy reading Inventor’s Digest because it is always current with what is happening now in the market. The older books are a great resource, but as one person wrote their book was from the eighties. The process is a lot different now than at that time. I have read all the books listed here so far. I just finished Mike Collin’s book " The Million Dollar Idea in Everyone". I enjoyed the book and found a number or resources to use.

now it’s time for…drum-roll please……Roger Brown’s NY Times bestselling and pulitzer prize winner “Inventing: You Can Do It Too!”…..

LOL. Eva you are inspiring and give me to much credit! I have written a book on my methods for getting your invention licensed cheaply, but have yet to find a publisher. I have been very fortunate to get my inventions licensed spending under $100 on each. That is why I am so thrilled about the work Everyday Edison’s and Edison Nation has been doing. They really have the Inventor’s best interest in mind. That can not be said for the majority of so called Inventor marketing companies most Inventors meet.

Has anyone read “Better Be Running”. I saw the add in Inventors Digest.

roger, EN are working on “commercializing” my cinch-eaze right now…..i nervously wait…..with little information…however, it is promising….i am hoping to be one of EN’s success stories so i can prove to other inventors, yes EN has their best interests in mind…..i think the success with my journey is having done marketing research with people i don’t know….i keep getting email after email after about how people want to buy my product…..with the agreement i signed with EN, i am not allowed to “sell” my product anymore….i spoke with someone yesterday wanting cinch-eaze waistbands that she offered to make “a donation” to my cause just so she could get my product…and i politely declined because i am now under contract….another email from another woman says she’s “desperate” for my product…

Eva, It sounds like you did your homework on your product before moving ahead. That is something I wish every Inventor would do. A large number of Inventors have an idea and never check to see if it is marketable or worth going forward before they start throwing money at it.
Sounds like all your hard work will pay off. I wish you the best.

You’re talking about me Roger! How do you do market research? The item I’m trying to compete with can be made by any small manufacturer, and they usually just come with a bar code sku, no mention of mfr. (Apart from “Made in China”) It’s available in supermarkets small grocery stores, online, Kmart, Bed bath & Beyond, etc… from a host of diff’t mfrs. How do you research sales of an item that has such widespread mfrs., distributors, & retail avenues? Even if you do research the “prior art” that’s no indication your “new & improved” version possesses the same sales potential, so maybe estimate a certain lower percentage of that?

ralf, you have to put your blinders on and go forward if you believe in your “improved” product….you need to get people you do not know, to evaluate your product…and if you don’t have a physical example for them to try out, then start with surveys…….then you will have unbiased opinions, even if they don’t say nice things, then you find out what they don’t like and make improvements…..

Thanks Eva. My problem is that I DO BELIEVE in my product, as most inventors. But I am also a realist and like to think through potential drawbacks such as that someone would rather spend $5 on the traditional item rather than $25 on my larger capacity all-in-one product. Nonetheless that doesn’t deter me until it’s confirmed. I’d be laughed at and looked at funny if I went into restaurants and asked their opinion. I tried it only twice before, since I figured restaurants should have a system for high volume preparation of the food item my device is for, but they didn’t! I didn’t reveal my idea at the time because it was in the early stages and I didn’t want to give it away. I’ve always thought it’s best to approach people with the actual item and then ask “Whaddayathink?”… but I’m stuck in the fabrication process

I agree with Eva. Plus, you can do some research through Thomas register and contact some of the manufacturers and see if they will talk with you and if they have any interest in a different/better version which could increase their sales.

I won’t post anymore on myself in this thread, since I don’t want to change the Topic. I’ll keep your suggestion in my notes Roger. Thanks as always!

Hi Roger,

This isn’t about a book but a free do-it-yourself-patent course on YouTube. It was a 3 hour course on nine 20 min CDs. I own 2 write your own patent software CDs but I got a lot more out of this free provisional patent course on YouTube. This is especially helpful in understanding how to write claims. The instructor Andrew Knight doesn’t go into great detail about claim writing because you don’t have to have them in a provisional application. Although a lot of attorneys recommend you include at least one claim in your provisional. I like the instructors ability to communicate a difficult subject that I’m thinking about investing in the do-it-yourself patent course he offers. Even if you plan on using a patent attorney this will educate the layman inventor and should save him some money in getting up-to-speed in communicating with his attorney. Once again the provisional course part is free. Anyway check it out you won’t be sorry you did.

Roger…I will tell you this. Although I am a bookworm since a child and have been reading business books constant fot 20 years. (I stopped 3 years ago)There was one book. One book that did it for me. “If It Ain’t Broke Break It” by Robert Kreigal

This book shows the birth of major companies and inventions in a business sense that shows we all can do it in language your dog can almost understand. Basically all about heart and building confidence.

The man is one of the most sought after speakers for Fortune 500 companies. He told me he will be taking my product Handi-Straps up on stage with him as an example of one who listened.

Second best is by Ron Poppeil, the kitchen gadget guy we all know on all those infomercials. I was surprised of the great American story of triumph from a man who was raised in a foster care facility. Mr. Poppeil will give you the very best advice from patents to prototype to shelf in major retailers to the bank account. I do not explain to others the whole path of the inventor. I hand them this book, “Salesman of the Century”

After that Harvey Reese is a very accomplished inventor and has a few excellent books, 3rd favorite.

4th is a man called Don Kracke. He wrote a few. Again, a book that goes from idea to prototype to shelf to bank account. This man could get shit on a stick sold.

I’ve read them all. These ALL inventors should read as they teach the business end too.

I will say this, without these books I would still be hitting my thumb with a hammer.

Not a book but of equal value is Inventors Digest. I always said that, not because I am in there now. In ID you will learn of inventor “goings on” like Edison Nation, hear the stories of how the little guy made it with his invention AND the manufacturers that were cooperative (Very Important)

Also, you will find the resources across the board that inventors need if you keep reading the issues loyally. No other magazine provides this. Moreover, a special treat sometimes, companies taking ads inviting inventor submissions.

One guy in our group made 1.5 million in royalties so far from an ad in Inventors Digest by the Dial corporation taking new ideas.

Listen to me, no study of these books and Inventors Digest if you are smart, no invention success. You might as well burn your invention for heat to get something out of it if you don’t read books like this.

Think of bringing an invention to market like fighting wild animals in an African safari with a stick. SERIOUS. You better get sharp to win at this game and only books like this can do it.

Edison Nation can only do so much too. You still need this study no matter what contest you win.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

“Bringing Your Product To Market” published by Entrepreneur Magazine. ISBN 0-471-15750-3

This is more “for inventors” than “on inventing”

This is just what I was looking for! I appreciate all of the books listed and will check out the few that I have not read. It may be a good idea for EN to make a listing of these books in a resource section. That way Inventors that don’t read this thread will still have a chance to check out the books. Keep the list coming. : )

I’ve read a few books, but I agree that most of it is regurgitated info. I think you could cover the essentials: patents, marketing analysis, licensing, in 30 pages. Mostly common sense, or simple information.

What I think is REALLY needed is: 1) a resource guide, with brief evaluations of a nubmer of different services, but most of all 2) an in-depth decision flow diagram that would help inventors decide WHERE to place their limited resources. E.g., I want to do market analysis, do I spend $1000 and get some quality prototypes made? Do I need a provisional patent first? Should I have everyone sign NDA? Where/how should I set up the focus group? My problem is not understanding the process, it’s making decisions as to which step is the right next step to move forward, given a particular invention.

This might be best done by way of a bunch of case studies on how small inventors brought their ideas to market (Roger, in that regard, I think your book will be particularly helpful!)

Bradley…those questions you are asking I learned in all those books. This is why I have an edge. It takes more than 30 pages. Moreover, I don’t follow any advice from a book unless I hear it from 3 different authors.

An instance, I got so tired of my inventor’s meeting covering very basic amateur questions every meeting bogging down the meeting that I brought books in and we started circulating.

This may sound wiseguy but if we got a real amateur asking the beginner questions we offered the book instead of bogging down all’s time for 30 minutes.

Us inventors MUST, MUST read these books or else, I guarantee you they will get their asses kicked when they get in the ring with companies and markets trying to get deals cut.

It is too expensive to lose your dream because of one little fine line mistake. There are many “trip lines” from product idea to shelf and if you don’t know of them by reading you will fumble your invention and someone will take and it’s game over!

Last, I am so well respected by manufacturers because I can talk with all this knowledge of study. They look to me as the leader. Not much is my own theory, most comes from reading about guys who have done it.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Ron,

You mentioned your Inventor meeting getting bogged down due to the same questions being asked by new Inventors. I have a suggestion.
Mkae a listing of those questions and post them here so that we can all contribute to answering those questions. Plus, there may be Inventors here that can benefit from those answers. I get asked questions all the time by first time Inventors. Some of the questions are the same, but I do find some that are new and help me as well since they are looking at this business from a new perspective.

At my day job I evaluate many ideas/components and decide whether they should make it into my employers products. My book suggestion is somewhat unorthodox, but I found it inspiring: “Getting It Right the Second Time: How American Ingenuity Transformed Forty-Nine Marketing Failures into Some of Our Most Successful Products” (Paperback)
by Michael Gershman. It’s a great, easy read.

Hope it’s not too late to weigh in … We’re doing more book reviews at Inventors Digest these days. I saw someone ask about “Better Be Running.” I reviewed it for our July issue. It does a fine job of showing you ways to order custom and mass-produced parts, particularly via China. But it’s a pretty confined niche. Most of the books we’ve been getting to review take a 30,000-foot view of product development and inventing, such as Alan Axelrod’s “Edison on Innovation – 102 Lessons in Creativity for Business and Beyond.” If you guys are more interested in nuts-and-bolts books on inventing, let me know and we’ll shift our focus.
Speaking of focus, we’re eager to hear ideas and topics you’d like the magazine to cover. Feel free to e-mail me at mike.drummond@inventorsdigest.com.

Mike,

It would be interesting to do a write-in poll from Inventors to see what books they recommend or found most helpful and then list the top books.

Hi my favorite book is Product Idea to Product Success by Matthew Yubas. Very clear, direct and detailed. Much easier for me to follow than the Inventor’s Bible! Good luck

The Everything Inventions and Patents Book by the sisters Barbara Russell Pitts and Mary Russell Sarao as well as Inventing on a Shoestring Budget by the same authors have been very helpful to me.

For comic relief, and perhaps to learn a good lesson on the fact that patentable does not equal marketable, I recommend “Patently Absurd: The Most Ridiculous Devices Ever Invented,”
by Christopher Cooper. Not worth purchasing. But if you can find it in your local library, it gives a bunch of examples of the dumbest inventions ever patented. Funny!

I recently read “How to License your Million Dollar Idea” by Harvey Moore. I highly recommend it as it deals with how to approach companies and get your ideas licensed.

Correction, it’s Harvey Reese.

Another book is “The Toy and Game Inventor’s handbook” by Richard Levy. The only issue I have with the book is that the company contacts listed are mostly outdated. Other than that it has good information.

The Inventors Guide To Low Cost Patenting, by Kenneth E. Norris, was a helpfull book to me. I am not sure that it is still in print.

I have noticed that the majority of comments on books seem to reference the patenting aspect. Are there any other areas of inventing that most of you have questions about or feel you don’t have enough knowledge in that area? The area that was a trouble spot for me was finding the right companies to approach. So I really pushed in that area until now I have Inventors contacting me for possible companies.

Ok, I love to read and want to buy one of these books. Which ONE would you recomend that gives me the most bang for my buck? Keep in mind I’m a new inventor and need to learn the game.

1)I want to know the quickest & cheapest way to get my product to market without risking someone stealing my idea.

2)I then want to know what to write in that insert that someone mentioned to put in the NDA that requests a specific time frame for the company to give me their answer.

3)Do you just start cold calling companies and ask them to sign and NDA?

4)Should I have at least 3 companies lined up to present my product to so that I have leverage when bargaining with them?

5)How much protection does an NDA give you without a provisional patent or a patent? Can they still steal your idea?

6)Do you have to meet with the company in person to set the deal? What are some suggestions on presentation when meeting with a company?

7)Do I suggest a specific royalty fee? How do you get them to give you the highest fee? Or do they just tell you what they’ll give you?

2. Most companies will not abide by any time frame you put in an NDA. They all have their own method of evaluating submissions. An example would be Progressive International. They review submissions the first week of the month. So, if you send it to them the second week of the month they will not review it for a month. So a deadline would not work for them.

3. What do you mean by leverage with the other companies? You only have leverage if all three wanted your item at the same time. I make a listing of the top company and work my way down the list from there. I do let the company know that I went to them forst so they know if they say no I will go to their competitor next.

5. As many Inventors here can share their is no guarentee even with a patent a company won’t steal your idea. Look at all the knock offs of patented products on the market. Your best protection is the market share you own when your product hits the stores.

6. You don’t need to do a face to face with a company to present your idea unless you have unlimited funds and plenty of time. I have gotten all my inventions to market by emails and talking with them on the phone. I finally met one company licensing my ideas 3 years after we first started producing the toys.

7. Most companies have a ploicy of waht they pay in royalties based on the expense of the product, the amount of upfront work you have done and what else you bring to the table. As I have shown in my dealings I have gotten the same royalty rate for my idea without a patent as the Inventor who came to them with a patent. Most companies pay 3% to 5% as the norm.

So you normally call companies with no provisional patent or patent and just have them sign an NDA?

Yep. I do my homework on the company prior to sending them anything on my idea. I do a presentation sheet on the product. If they are interested in licensing the idea they pay for the patent to protect their investment. That is how I can get a product licensed and on the market for under $100. I have spent as little as $10 on an idea and got it picked up within two weeks of contacting the company.
I am thorough in my approach to companies and getting my facts right. You don’t have to go in debt to do things right.

Sorry for all the questions, but what do you mean by “homework”?

How do you go about researching a company before contacting them?

Who do you ask for when calling?

How do you know the order of your top target companies? Is it by their annual revenue or rank on the fortune 500?

What if they’re not public? Do you only focus on public companies and not bother with the others?

I think I can answer those questions with one answer.
I look at the companies market share in the place it counts most, the stores. Who has the most shelf presense. Stores only have a limited amount of space so the company that takes up the most of that space is target number one. I work down from there.
Before calling a comapny cold I do my homework. You asked what that is. It is finding out the most you can about your target before calling them. You can go online and find articles about the company. It is a great place to find out who the CEO, marketing manager etc is for that company. You can check out their website for a listing of employees. That way when I call I already have a name to ask for. Most Inventors that call cold to a company get stopped by the secreatary who filters the calls. I have a knack for getting past that guard dog. It comes down to that old saying of “if you act like you know what you are doing people don’t question you.” I have walked into office buildings and gotten to various levels without being questioned because they thought I belonged there. All of these things help getting your idea in front of the right person.

Roger, I’d love it if you had a site or book or whatever that would teach others to do what you do. Any plans on the “How to license your idea in 10 easy steps and under $100” book?

How To Finance Your Invention Or Great Idea was the name of the bound galley copy (Pre-Publish) of the book by Jack Lander.

I’m not sure what the title is now though. He gave me a copy of the book for review when I paid for a mentoring lesson.

Generally, Lander claims that nearly always, inventors can not obtain wealth by licensing their inventions. And the general idea seems to be portrayed that the idea is to build a fast growth business with the invention, which attracts larger businesses; and therefore a selling or merging of the business to the larger business, and cash out in stock from the deal.

I’m not pretending to be a know-it-all, but I just don’t quite agree. Lander seems to be an old-school inventor, and his concepts and experiences may be a little out-dated.

Thanks Roger!

Those are some great tips. You speak with such confidence and I hope to one day be able to have that same confidence when getting on the phone with the companies. I am going to try that exact approach that you mentioned above.

You said you do a presentation sheet. Do you use power point? What is the most professional looking way to show your product? When do you send them the presentation sheet? I guess it’s after the signed NDA.

So I guess the key to landing the deal and getting the royalties YOU want, you must be informed, confident and professional with your phone converstion.

When I have my first phone conversation, can you listen in on speaker and whisper the answers in my ear? JK – I will be confident and do it on my own.

To answer your questions in order:

Jason- I am putting the finishing touches on a book titled
“Guerilla Inventing
An Inventor’s Guide to Getting Inventions to Market(without going in Debt)”
I have been looking for a publisher, but may decide to self-publish it.

Chad- Landers claim that you can’t make money licensing is false. I have done it seven times and it works great for me. One issue that Lander does not address is that not ever Inventor wants to manufacture, distribute and be a salesperson for their product. Licensing is a great alternative to the above approach. It also frees the Inventor up to pursue other inventions instead of being solely tied to one idea.

Patrice-I hope the tips help other Inventors. The programs I use are PowerPoint and PhotoShop for my presentations. They are send via email and standard mail depending on the companies desire. I send the presentation sheet after we complete the signed NDA.
You stated “So I guess the key to landing the deal and getting the royalties YOU want, you must be informed, confident and professional with your phone converstion”
I agree with your statementand add the following. The best way to gain that confidence is by knowing your product and its benefits without hesitation. Practice your pitch until you can do it in your sleep and are comfortable with it. Make sure what you state is the truth about your product because if a company is interested they will check your facts and put your product to the test. If it fails to meet your claims you are ruining your creditability with them for future submissions.

Hi, Roger:
Do you put just enough info in your initial powerpoint to entice them to sign your NDA? And, do they ask for the NDA if they’re interested…or does it come up when you call to follow up?

Presentation of the NDA just seems a little delicate in terms of the timing. I have a hard time understanding how it gets worked into the conversation.

Also…have you thought of going to a writer’s conference? Most unsolicited manuscripts end up in editor’s slush piles nowadays. However, I know that writer’s conferences are a great opportunity for first time book authors. The conferences are where editors and publishers scout new ideas and new writing talent.

I just attended a writer’s conference in Chicago and learned so much! In addition to the seminars, I had the opportunity to meet in 15 minute increments with various editors for “slam sessions.” Basically, I pitched my book proposal and could feel out various publishers for their interest. It was kind of like speed dating for writers and publishers to make contact :) I ended up with one publisher suggesting I refine my target audience a little and then send him the revised proposal by email. Another publisher said that my manuscript is not a good match for his publishing house but he suggested a couple of his colleagues (also editors) who he thought would be very interested.

A writers conference would give you that face-to-face time you need in order to actually get a proposal reviewed by editors. You might want to try that before you pursue self-publishing.

Hi Leigh,

I do things in this order.

1, Research company

2, Contact company

3, Sign NDA

4, Submit Presentation

5, Wait for decision

6, if interested review licensing agreement

7, if not interested move on to next company

Roger, thanks for sharing your experience and insights, greatly appreciated.

For the most part it seems that your strategy is very similar to that of Stephen Key’s. I got his InventRight course and thought it very well done. He goes into some depth about the NDA’s, doing a PPA and how to do that first phone call.

One resource that he provided is www.typevisions.com , a company that does “sell sheets”, which is a one-pager that lays out the essence of your idea and benefits. They’ll also help set up a website where you could send cos for more info, to see a video, etc.

One book I enjoyed several years ago was Secrets from an Inventor’s Notebook by Maurice Kanbar. Not too much nuts n bolts, but interesting and inspiring.

Mike -

I actually sat in on a conference call with Steven Key a few weeks ago. I actually got to talk too! I think his course was $400? I was hesitant to pay that kind of money so I didn’t. If Roger’s advice is alot like Steven Keys, he just saved me $400!!! THANK YOU ROGER!