I know…:)

I forgot to add Mark, Ron and Gizmo are not allowed to answer at this time. : ) LOL Give the others a shot at it first.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Well, besides being long-winded, shouldn’t it be “licensees” and maybe also “marketeers” ?

Yeah I know; picky…picky…picky…

Forgive the spelling it was early when I wrote it. Concentrate on the content. Think if you were sent that statement how would you respond?

http://www.rogerbrown.net

My first thought is that is way too broad. Isn’t it unlikely that you would need to be looking for all of these things at once?

First, all are written as plural. How many do you need? Next, too much! Each should be asked individually.

It included everything but ‘the kitchen sink’——should have asked for that too! :-)

Maybe the word “or” should have been used inbetween words.

Think if you were sent that statement how would you respond to the sender?
Forget editorial/spelling, etc.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

I would say “thank you for writing, but you must realize my time is valuable and I am considering many business ventures at this time.”

Thank you for writing and good luck with your business ventures.

I’ll give it one more shot but will look forward to the correct answer…

Some of the people being looked for are people he would pay (manufacturer, marketer, advertiser) and the others are people who would take the product/idea and run with it and hopefully pay him.

I would ask them to come up with one type of person they want right now, to start the process. You don’t need all of those at one time. It’s a process. I’m interested in the right answer too!

I’m very new to all this Roger…but shouldn’t it be simply that they are looking for someone to license them?? Once a potential product enters a licensing contract…don’t they(The Licensor) usually handle all the rest with an agreement to a percentage of royalties? Or is that not always the case? http://toysngames.com/licensing/lic_005CR.htm Shouldn’t the above statement read more like…“Need Help Licensing My Product??”

Ken, that doesn’t solve the problem for many Inventors it just keeps it going until they run into someone that will take all their money for nothing in return.

You are all hitting right around what I am looking for.

Hint: What two words is this person lacking and why?

F_ _ _ S and D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Funds and determination??? I don’t know why, though!!

Funds and decision!! Either license or do it themselves???

I feel like Vana White on Wheel of Fortune. LOL

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Roger…I’d like to buy a vowel!!

Focus and ….

….dignation???

…DIRECTION!!

Sherri, I think we got it. FOCUS and DIRECTION.

Doesn’t the curtain open at this point to reveal your prize—-a new car or a wonderful vacation?

We must be on a commercial break…

Roger…you should start a “Wheel of Fortune” thread!!!!

Is that it? Fo—s and Di———n is focus and direction? Makes sense. So what should they have written?

We have a winner!!!!! Focus and Direction are correct! Now, tell me “WHY” these Inventors lack these attributes?

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Could it be that they are actually looking for a
L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ g A _ _ _ t?

Well…I just checked out your awesome website Roger…and I’m guessing that people are just clicking on your website and immediately hitting the contact button..without stopping and reading all the valuable information and resources you have taken the time to put there…which could already answer their inquiries.

Well…it does say you can help them as their licensing agent at a cost of 25%, if I am not mistaken.

They are contacting you without downloading and signing the agreements first???

Why do inventors lack focus and direction? Hmmm..er, um…is it a medical condition such as ADD, ADHD, PMS, PMDS, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, etc? Perhaps a new disorder that strikes only inventors that has not yet been studied?

They seem unclear what they want – they come accross as sending an idea and looking for anything or anyone who might help them. Are they looking to manufacture / license ?

Hi Sherri,

Thanks for the nice comments on my website. I do act in behalf of some people that have ideas, but don’t want to spend all the time doing the legwork and research involved. Others, I give them suggestions on how to proceed and they do everything. You would be surprised how many people here and at some of the other forums contact me behind the scenes. I spend about 28 to 32 hours a week working on just dealing with those people not counting my own projects.

The point of this thread is to bring light to the lack of Focus and Direction most Inventors have as an issue. I realize they wouldn’t do it if they knew what the outcome was going to be ahead of time. Since they don’t have that crystal ball this is what happens.
They get an idea and then don’t seriously consider their options before they run head first towards any goal. They see a contact for an infomercial company and throw their idea that way. They don’t consider whether their idea fits that market, It is just somewhere to go. They don’t understand why they get a rejection from the infomercial company.
Then they see a contact for a toy company and send them a bicycle idea never looking to see they don’t deal in bicycles. They find a website online that says we look at outside ideas. They slap any unorganized information they can gather in an envelope and send it to what ever address they can find for the company, assuming once it gets there a kind hearted person will open their package and direct it to the right person in the company. Oh, and by the way they didn’t finish reading the boring section on rules for submitting that state they only look at patented ideas or finished products.
If you think I am exaggerating look at the rules for presenting your idea at the Everyday Edisons auditions. It plainly stated, in SEVERAL places about filling out your entry form and having it with you at the auditions. Many forgot to bring it and had to refill out another form while standing in line. One section asked if your idea was in drawing form, prototyped, production sample/ready, etc. More than 30% of the people did not have the forms filled out properly because they didn’t read it page for page. Everyday Edisons was kind enough and smart enough to have people at tables reviewing your paper work and helping you fill it out.

If you look at a number of the threads here you will see where Mark, Ron, Gizmo, myself and many others have said you need to do your homework. Part of that homework is staying focused and pick a direction you want to target. Do you want to license, manufacture, start a business around it, give it to a company to distribute it for you, sell online only, sell through retailers, the list goes on and on. You need to know what you want the end goal to be so you have a goal line to move towards.
If you have a toy idea you need to study the toy industry, not the auto industry, you need to know what they sell, who sells the most of a particular type product line that your idea fits into. Do they have requirements for submitting. Do they even look at ideas/products? You are wastiing your energy and money not doing research before contacting the first company. Don’t randomly pick something, make an informed decision.

You don’t go through the gas tank to change your car tire. Take the time to get the right information and use it wisely. It may take a little longer to do it this way, but it will increase your chances of success.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Roger,
What about all of us tossing our ideas into the LPS’s at EN? I am totally new at this. I’m sure I could use more F—-s and D———-n, but I’m just beginning to learn about the process after already submitting 4 ideas. The info on this site makes it seem like I only need to be able to explain the ideas in a way that makes them clear, and to make sure they fit the search. I wouldn’t know how to beging finding all those folks listed in your example. I guess if I get red x’s, I’ll need to find those folks if I want to run with my ideas myself. Is that how it goes? I appreciate this thread.

Jane, the LPS’s here are fine. Because you can get in front of the big companies through the searches they are sponsoring. The problem comes when you leave here and strike out on your own and lets say want to approach Mattel or Black and Decker yourself. Most people just starting out don’t have the tools they need to tackle that beast. the threads on this site are a blessinga nd a curse at the same time. There is a wealth of information in the threads, but they have grown so large unless you know the right question to ask or put in the search engine you may not find it. I have a couple of ideas I plan on passing by Matt to see if they are possible which may help that issue. i just need to work the bugs out of them first.
Go to the green search button at the top of the page and put in “inventor friendly companies”
and you will see a great thread listing various companies to approach.

I hope that helps. If not ask any of us here and we will help you the best we can.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

I just want to clarify – Roger, you look NOTHING like Vana White :)

Thanks, Roger. I know I’m not ready to tackle any beasts. It’s just not my nature, unfortunately. I’ll either make it this way, or… just keep dreaming. It’s already been a great deal of fun just finding a place to document and share my ideas, even if they never get picked up, (more fun if they do, of course). It’s like therapy! Anybody know what I mean?

Roger…do Carrie and I win a vacation?? Just kidding…Thank you for this valuable lesson, your time, and indeed your patience!! Edison Nation seems like the real deal as all you need is a good idea to submit. If my submissions get the Red X …First, I am going to ask myself honestly, “Was it just a stupid idea?” If not, how can I fix it? Where does it need to be fixed? If I still can’t figure that out, or I’m lacking a crucial skill to improve upon the idea…I can either toss it on a “back-burner” or enlist the services from someone like you!! But I will refrain from “Dear Roger..You gotta help me out here!!!”…I bet you get that a lot,too?

If 30% of the people filled out the form incorrectly – I might think there could be a flaw in the form layout. I think this is great advice and agree at the very least…if you submit to companies outside of EN then do SOME basic research on the products the company sells.

Also, Roger…you offered (without solicitation) to help me out after one of my ideas was ultimately rejected by Telebrands. I sent the NDA you needed and the concept sell sheet – then never heard from you.

Mark, don’t count me out to soon, you should see me in a dress. LOL Naw, lets skip that, I don’t want that vision stuck in my mind either. LOL

Sherri, I write these lessons to hopefully provoke discussion and learning at the same time. You can’t take inventing 101 in college, so it is more of a learn as you go degree. Unfortunately, what a lot of Inventors learn is this degree can cost you your lifes savings and you have nothing to show for it.
I hope you find the information here at EN informative and something yo can use to succeed.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Jane, I know what you mean. :)

Mark, thank you for all your informative posts. I’m one of those people that has emailed you and I am very appreciative of your responses.

Michael I have your NDA on file and the item you sent me for review. The NDA is good for a year from the date. I responded to your idea at that time and have not received anything from you since that time. I will resend my answer in just a moment.

As for the EE form it was easy to read although several pages. Most people responded " I didn’t see it" or “I didn’t read that far”

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Thanks Roger – my appologies on the response – I must have missed it and didn’t want to bother you. I have two new products for Telebrands (pet related products) and have since abandoned the idea I sent you.

I hope I wasn’t one of the 30% :)

FYI – Telebrands will be reviewing ideas in Chicago next week – you must first send an email to them with a general description of the idea and get an appointemnt.

Oops my post below should say Roger, not Mark. Though Mark has been helpful too!

Roger thank you for all your informative posts. I’m one of those people that have emailed you and I am very appreciative of your responses.

Sorry, brain hiccup.

Carrie, I have them all the time. : ) Michael, not a problem. I fully understand to much email and you are not one of the 30%.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Roger, if I may add one more thing here…When you started emphasizing the fact that so many inventors have such a problem with focus and direction…I admit that I thought you were going to start discussing the psychological issues with inventors or something!?!

Sherri, what’s to discuss we all know we’re crazy LOL

: )

Yea Jane. I know exactly what you mean (getting back to your posting a day ago)! Very therapeutic! I rambled on in a microblog a bit sharing some very similar thoughts. Take a look. I can’t attest to the cohesiveness of it, I was simply thinking “out loud” when I did it, and haven’t re-read since….Kinda Johnny-Depp like (he won’t watch his performances).

Roger, Sherri…Crazy is quite the understatement. Anyone in here (or someone they know) a psych student looking for a good masters thesis topic? There is a pretty good sampling of us here and it might be kinda interesting to see what the commonalities amongst us are….besides the obvious ones… (you know, crazy, snapped, dreamers, ADD, OCD, etc).