Are you going to audition Ralf?

I am only sorry you got two videos for Dragon’s Den…….

Do you have a link for more information on exactly what they are looking for?

Andrea;

Like most companies they are looking for finished ready to go products. There are always the exceptions.

But just like here they want products that solve everyday common problems, are useful, fun, better than the competition and cost efficient, protectable and easy to demonstrate with the all important factor of 5 times the profit after manufacturing it……

I won’t go to the audition because it’s too far away but I’ll apply by email. No hurt in trying.

I was on the show last year and have been talking to the producers ever since.

They don’t know what they are looking for the show and a raw homemade idea has just as much chance of getting on the show as a great infomercial idea. They show all ends of the inventor and the inventor’s journey. Said the lead producer and other producers to me personally.

They GREATLY respect all inventors and this field. Not many shows will respect inventors like that.

The good thing about Pitchmen and the producers, when I first auditioned everyone could audition if they wanted to…and most got atleast a few seconds at the beginning of each episode. I give the producers all the credit in the world for giving all a chance like that.

How many can say they had their invention on the Discovery Channel ???? The producers literally showed hundreds of inventors on the show.

If you go, hope only for a brief appearance on the show and that is just great and a win.

As far as what will make a big it…they don’t know…they never set out to look for me with my lifting apparatus yet I got 16 minutes running time on their show.

I also saw some crude prototypes get 3 seconds of air time and the inventor get a few words in…that is pretty cool!!!!

Don’t forget you have the same exact opportunity with Edison Nation.

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

Hey ralf…

If I’m an idiot, just say so…I can take it. But in trying to do a little legwork on the audition, it seems that the auditions closed last fall. I’m trying to figure out how this notice came to you, or from whom? Are there deadlines?

Here you go Kevin…all the info about Pitchmen is here…and a video of me when I was on the show…don’t forget to watch…. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/pitchmen/pitchmen.html

Again, same chance here with EN and their TV show Everyday Edisons for which I was also filmed for. Hey…I was just in the right place at the right time….the sun shines even on a dog’s ass sometimes….everyone has a chance

Ron does the product have to be made yet? Do you have to have a prototype?

I would say absolutely yes. You need a prototype to show on TV for your best chance although some did only have drawings or a bad prototype, but they were 2 out of 20,000

However, if the auditions come within a couple hundred miles of you, take a trip with just drawings I would say. Just hanging out and witnessing the filming alone was alot of fun for me…even if they didn’t film me it would have been a fun day.

This is the good thing about Edison Nation. You only need drawings or an ugly prototype. You don’t have to be as attractive with them.

Well Ron…you nailed it. Congrats, and thanks for the hand-holding to the invite. I swear I looked at that site a few times and didn’t see it. I guess my only remaining question or solicitation for advice is…. what are your (or anyone else’s) thoughts on bringing 1 or two items I currently have in EN’s LPS’S (2 lps’s each actually) to the audition? Neither are patented (or pending). Is there a legal conflict also?

I auditioned once for American Inventor Show, and basically had to sign my life away to Simon Cowell. I know I’ve agreed to a lot of that to submit to EN. Also, do they reward you in any way monetarily?

Thanks, I am not going as I don’t have a prototype, but it may help someone who does that may see this post!

I follow king sully on twitter and he posted it. King sully is one of the pitchmen.

So Ralf (or anyone)…how about that conflict q I raised a couple posts ago…an item in an lps vs taking it to the audition at the same time?

I am new to this site so bear with me. I see the link to Pitchathon for next week but I also came across a closed deadline invitation for Edison Nation auditions. Are the 2 connected?

No

I was just curious as this is where I found the link to the Pitchathon. I am trying to decide on whether or not to apply to audition. I actually presented my idea to one of the major telemarketing firms and was offered a contract but the language and terms were so vague my lawyer could not recommend signing it.

I was just reading the contract (17 pages) for Edison Nation… whew.. need a law degree

Hello Ron… I saw the Pitchmen program on which you appeared last year..Great product and website btw. Do you know if the format for this audition will be similar? It looked like a large convention room where you set up and the Pitchmen wander around to your station and see if they have interest in what you have? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Roger….I have no idea what they are doing. The top two producers I was actually keeping in touch with and was helping one find inventors…or was allowed to recommend inventors (but I never did) Both these guys were reassigned so I have no idea what is going on.

My advice to all is….I’ve been trying for years now for publicity for inventions. I’ve learned to never get my hopes hope but always keep on trying as most shots you take for coverage on TV in magazines or newspapers and on the internet…most will not come through…and the shots you least expect to come through are the ones that do…while the sure shots…so you thought…are the failures.

I didn’t think they would pick me at all for Pitchmen, yet strangers have told me I ended up being their favorite inventor of the series. You just never know…keep trying and don’t get discouraged because it may just all come down to luck anyway…like a lottery ticket.

I do think this year will be much harder to get on the show now that there is a following. Don’t forget you have the SAME opportunity here with Edison Nation….and in my opinion better odds of being chosen….less competition. They are both GREAT opportunities with good people running the show who are fans of inventors.

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

Thank you Ron. I am just trying to make up my mind to go or not. I have a patented invention with a working protoype that I presented by invitation to a telemarketing company and it was all good until they gave me a proposal. I see from all the posts that Edison Nation has a good reputation and offers many opportunities. I guess I will have to print the contract off and see what it all adds up to. The biggest problem I had with the last go around was giving up all my rights to the invention with no recourse to get it back if there was no performance. They could have tied up my invention for years without doing anything… oh well.. I may just have to make this thing myself… Thanks for the reply

Roger…what are you doing with a telemarketing company??? You mean an infomercial company?

First off, years ago I thought infomercials were the “grand stage” for inventors….the ultimate goal. I thought this from watching and reading about Ron Popeil (king of infomercials)

After working for a company producing a couple infomercials and finding out the numbers, infomercials are rarely the best thing for inventors and few inventions fit the infomercial business model or business tactics.

Handi-Straps was not a quick, fast talking situation for an infomercial at bargain basement prices. Handi-Straps is a very serious medical breakthrough and not some quick gadget to sell cheap to almost everyone. There are many inventions like this, for some reason they are not for infomercials selling for $9.95

Last, few infomercials are immediately profitable but inventors don’t know that. Infomercials are nothing more than a commercial but you are selling some so you don’t have to pay for the advertising. QVC has the same purpose for most new products. After the exposure you then expect the profits in the retail stores after the product has been branded, advertised by an infomercial.

Some infomercials make money right away, about 1 in 6 to 1 in 20 or even less as there are varied opinions on this as what you call profitable and for whom may be different.

I am scheduled to make my own commercial/infomercial to air on my local cable to start and on the net. I am delayed because of my illness but hopefully by summer we will be on the air. Air time is alot cheaper than you think. If they can advertise a pizza store on your local cable then a good invention can fly too.

Hi Ron.. I too have followed the great Ron Popeil… I’m not “with” a telemarketing company. I simply sent my presentation to a company that is, yes, a “telemarketing firm” but they also buy out the rights to an invention and take it to market. They were prepared to manufacture the product, make the infomercials and also list it in retail stores “AS Seen on TV”. I just wasn’t happy with giving up complete control for such small and unpredictable profits. There was no set price at which they were going to sell the item. I know your product is a much more complicated and an engineered item that is NOT a specialty item and not an 19.95 item that would appeal to the masses. My invention has mass appeal and is meant for every household.

I have twice “almost” dropped the hammer on production and am in a position to manufacture myself. I just find that at every corner when I think I have all the ducks in a row.. something else pops up. I know I have a very good product and yes it is made for the infomercial format otherwise I don’t think I would have been made a proposal. If I attended the Pitchman audition, would there not be a chance that they would be interested in picking up my idea and running with it or am I off base as to the purpose of the audition? Aren’t they looking for new ideas that they can promote and make money (mutually of course)?

Maybe I can shed some light on this issue – I have had several conversations with the producers of this and other shows. In the case of most of these shows – what I can tell you is your best chances of being selected are if you have a good product and good story.

The Story – Remember this is TV, so inventors that can connect through their stories with the viewer make better TV than those who are bland and don’t stand out in some way. Having a good story or being a little wacky may get you a sound bite and a few moments at the beginning, but to make it through the process you need to add to that a good product.
What makes a good product?

SIMPLE – the time lines for these kinds of processes are compressed. So if your product needs 12 months worth of development it’s not likely a good candidate for this particular show (this season anyway). However, if you have a product idea that can be developed in a month or two your chances go way up.

PROBLEM SOLVING – Your product will relate to consumers better if it solves a problem they have. The greater the problem it solves, the more they are likely to purchase it.

UNIQUENESS – Products that work best in DRTV are those that are not like all the other things out there. That doesn’t mean 100% unique, that means it works different, or better and adds more consumer value than others like it.

PRICE – the price formula for a DRTV product is 3x, 4x, 5x ….. the total cost. That means, if it costs $1.00 to manufacture it, then the sale price needs to be $3.00 and up….

DEMONSTRABLE – TV is a visual medium – you have to be able to translate the value of the product into something that can be shown. The consumer will believe 50% of what they are told, but 100% of what they are shown.

If you think your idea/product fits into this mold then by all means head to the auditions and try out – it could be the shot you are looking for.

I still haven’t gotten a clear idea of whether I can (or should) audition with my two unprotected ideas I have in two LPS S here currently. Anyone?

Hi!
I have been in touch with one of the producers for this pitch-a-thon as I am organizing the Inventor 911 event on Saturday Mar. 13 and the Inventors Corner Pavilion & Product Revues at the show. My understanding is that you will have the opportunity to pitch to the producers on Sat. 3/13 and Sun. morning 3/14 and then the ones they find to be most suitable will get to pitch to Sully and possibly some of his colleagues later in the day on Sunday. She also told me, as some of you have stated above that even if you don’t get picked to pitch in front of Sully, they very well might show a clip of you on the show and people have gotten calls from other companies who have seen their products on these snippets.
I have organized many inventor revues with DRTV panels—there will be one at this year’s Inventors Corner and in addition to the topics Mark listed above, I can tell you that they are looking for things that have universal appeal. Also and this is always something they harp on, your product has to have a WOW factor—something that is not only demonstrable but makes people stop and take note.
Hope that helps!

Hi I’m a new member to EN I was on the FRIDAY JANUARY 29TH, pitch competition
We were 60 people with our prototypes they chose only 17 of us to present and pitch to Sully, I was one of the 17,I went in and did my part they were happy and liked the idea and they did an interview with me after I got out from the pitching then they said go and we will contact you if we think we will use your idea (same answer to all of us) it’s been more than a month now and I have not received any thing yet, and now they are doing another one on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 So what is this for and why still looking for ideas.
Thanks and good luck for all.

• Please Read ALL Information Carefully***
  When you have read thru this and decided on whether you are coming please email this address Subject Line “YES” or you will not be put on the final list.

Thank you for RSVPing for FRIDAY JANUARY 29TH. The shoot will start at 8:00AM SHARP. This is a high level competition –come understanding that in showing up Friday you may not get to pitch your product to Sully directly but we will do our best to give each of you the chance to pitch on film.

How to come prepared:

1) Bring a working prototype of your invention, you written information and DVD.

2) Be prepared to pitch your product (site the guidelines as seen on discoverchannel.com/pitchmen  2010 Pitchathon or watch videos from last season). Pitch must be 2 MINUTES or less!

3) Please DONT wear any bright whites, bright reds, apparel with labels, stripes or a plaid pattern  ABSOLUTELY NO LOGOS ON YOUR CLOTHES OR YOUR PRODUCT unless it is owned by you.

4) Please bring a few (3-4) samples of your product.

5) Be prepared to dedicate a full day to shooting.

Location:
Madeline Clark Studios 10852 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood CA 91601-2508
 Look for PITCHMEN signs.

Schedule:
The first round is the White CYC pitch (as seen throughout pitchmen episodes). ONLY the TOP 10% will be chosen by Discovery Channel Produers and get the opportunity to present and pitch to Sully in the afternoon.

We appreciate you enthusiasm and dedication and applaud you for making it this far.