A member of my Facebook group “Independent Inventors – Help Has Arrived!“, Bogdon Vasquaf, recently posted his inventor success story to our group. I hope that this helps to give some direction and motivation to other inventors who are struggling making money from their inventions. Original Post: “Greetings from Detroit. I’m enjoying a little bit of success with my invention the ‘Bogdon Box Bass‘. It won Best in Show in its category at the Summer 2008 NAMM Show and has a rave review in a national magazine called Bass Player Magazine.

It’s in 2 world-wide retail stores, 11 mom and pop stores, and one store in Mexico City. I’m a full time Mail Man and i have an all new product almost ready for retail (I missed the 2009 Christmas season).” Bogdon was kind enough to elaborate on his original post in a follow-up post. Follow-up Post: “The world needed a $99 Upright Bass. I was totally broke and couldn’t afford a cheap $800 upright bass so I made one using a cardboard box, weed whacker twine, nuts-n-bolts as tuners, and a scrabble piece for a bridge. My cardboard box bass sounded too good to be true so I posted a video on the web. Good Morning America showed 10 seconds of footage and I began to get emails asking to purchase my cardboard box upright bass. I asked my Uncle who owns a printing shop to help. He got my cousins who are an Acoustic Engineer and an Electronic Engineer to perfect my idea and create a kit. We started to sell 100’s on Ebay and I sent the info to Bass Player Magazine who wrote a feature story. My uncle put up a few thousand dollars to buy materials, and as we sold our product, we used the profit to protect our box bass. I started with no personal investment and we earned $100k in the first year. We participated in a national trade show NAMM and we won best in Show and as a result are now in retail stores. I’m in charge of sales and marketing, though I’ve NEVER sold a thing in my life and know nothing about marketing. All I do is write letters, make phone calls, emails, and any other way to contact everyone all over the world. My cousins are in charge of manufacturing, and my uncle oversees the business and is the shipper. Our customers made suggestions and we’re on our 5th version of the box bass after being in business for 3 years. I originally made a 2-string bass and my customers wanted a 3-string bass so we now have 2 models of box basses, and the customer demand product is outselling my original idea! We have many prototypes of new products and have been testing them locally. We make the worlds only “Electric Washtub Bass Pickup” and it was picked up by our retailers without even showing it to them. Some retailers said “we’ll sell what ever you got…”. We manufacture everything ourselves. When sales become impossible to keep up, we will approach a manufacturer with actual sales receipts to outsource product production. As for now, I’m having more fun than I’ve ever had in my life. I am an inventor and a small business owner. I make the Bogdon Box Bass and have shipped them all over the world. I’ve been to New York to be on MSNBC Elevator Pitch. Fox News has been to my home to feature me in a story, as did my local NBC News. My box bass has been in all the newspapers in and around Detroit along with local and national magazines. I write a letter to someone each and everyday. Some days more than just one, but I never go to bed without making at least one contact in sales or marketing. Oh yea, the moral of the story is that everything is possible, some things just take more time than others, and most of all ASK FOR HELP when help is needed.” A very inspiring and informative article… thanks again to Bogdon for writing up his success story! BE SURE to visit his website at http://www.bogdonmusic.com for more information about his products (and inspiration too). Best regards, Brian R. Rayve P.S. Be sure to protect your invention PRIOR TO advertising it on the Internet or elsewhere… read my previous posts for further information. P.P.S. One thing I recently learned that Bogdon has been practising for quite awhile… as Bogdon put it “I write a letter to someone each and everyday. Some days more than just one, but I never go to bed without making at least one contact in sales or marketing.”.

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		Did you see the BCS College Football Championship Game last night? I know, a little off my normal subjects… but I had to ask.
I was ready to turn off the game and go to bed after Colt McCoy went out of the game on the third or fourth play and his inexperienced replacement Garrett Gilbert was not doing so well. But I was working on my laptop computer and kept the game on for some background noise. As the fourth quarter came around and the Garrett-led Longhorn offense scored some points, I found myself once again enthrawled in the game! And so I have to ask you another question… any fans out there like me that were rooting for the “Crimson Tide” to win only to change your mind to root for the “Longhorns” in the 4th quarter? Aha, I thought that I was not the only one!

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One of the most difficult challenges faced by independent inventors and entrepreneurs is finding companies that want to license or buy the rights to their inventions or new product ideas.

Well, our Ultimate Inventor Resources includes a section Companies That Accept Product Submissions From Independent Inventors that lists such companies. Note that these are NOT invention marketing companies. Rather, they are real manufacturers with their own product lines that want to add new products and have indicated that they are willing to talk with inventors about adding their products.

But first, be sure to protect your invention by filing a provisional patent application so you have “patent pending” (i.e. a serial number and a filing date for your invention at the patent office). You can file a provisional patent application using our patent preparation service or using our Provisional Patent Application Filing Kit.

Additionally, you can use a Non-Disclosure/Non-Compete (ND/NC) Agreement (see your patent attorney or do a search online for a free one) if the particular company will sign one. This gives you immediate contractual protection if the company discloses or manufactures your invention or new product idea. Therefore, you do not need to wait until a patent would issue on your invention (a several year process and your idea might not be patentable) to stop the company from ripping off your invention or new product idea.

However, most larger companies have their own disclosure agreements and will not allow you to submit your invention or new product idea unless you sign it. These disclosure agreements usually state that your product disclosure to them is NOT confidential and that your only protection (if any) is that provided through the U.S. Patent Office (hence your previous filing of the provisional patent application).

The main reason that larger companies have such disclosure agreements is they are developing their own products in-house and do not want you to later claim that you disclosed a product to them that they were already developing on their own.

Note that while you can use a ND/NC agreement alone as contractual protection against having your invention stolen by a company, you do not have “patent pending” and thus this approach is more risky. Furthermore, if you do not have “patent pending” nor a signed ND/NC agreement before submitting your invention or new product idea, then you are setting yourself up to have it ripped off. Note that this is a general statement of advice and in no way is meant to reflect upon any partuicular company or individual.

Also be sure to do your homework first on any company you are thinking of approaching. Look at their product line(s) to be sure that your invention or new product idea is a good fit. What are their product submission requirements? Will they sign a ND/NC agreement?

Again, here is the link to our Ultimate Inventor Resources:
http://www.inventionpatenting.com/ultimate-inventor-resources.html

and to our “Companies That Accept Product Submissions From Independent Inventors”:
http://www.inventionpatenting.com/companies-that-accept-new-products.html

Best regards,

Brian R. Rayve
Owner, InventionPatenting.com

P.S. Be sure to ask your patent attorney or read our other posts about the ramifications of a “public disclosure” by not using a ND/NC agreement when disclosing your invention or new product idea to companies or other persons (even if you have “patent pending”).

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I recently posted information about the new Provisional Patent Application Filing Kit 2010 in several social networking groups that are predominated by patent attorneys on a popular social networking website. Several negative comments were received about the post that revolved around the idea of “Why are you helping inventors to prepare their own patent applications… it is like doing your own landscaping, haircuts, or surgery!”.

Well, go figure… landscaping can be learned easily enough when you do not have the money to pay a landscaper! The same with cutting hair. I would draw the line at do-it-yourself surgery, though! They continue… “Inventors will end up with a provisional patent application that is non-enabling (i.e. missing critical information about their invention) or missing some other legal technicality and they will not be able to use the application as a basis for filing a utility patent application” (which can issue as a patent filed within the one year ‘patent pending’ time period affored by the provisional patent application). My response to them and to you is this… they are absolutely right. Obviously, a professionally prepared provisional patent application is best… if the inventor can afford the cost. An experienced patent attorney (at least 2-3 years of training under a veteran patent attorney… not self-taught) knows how to describe inventions in detail and have drawings or sketches prepared that show all critical aspects of the invention including the various versions or embodiments thereof. However, many independent inventors cannot afford the $1,500.00 to $3,500.00 fee that patent attorneys charge to prepare a provisional patent application (note that we charge considerably less – only $477.00 to professionally prepare a provisional patent application for you including sketches or drawings). Many of these inventors still file provisional patent applications themselves… oftentimes resulting in an insufficient disclosure or other legal technicality not being complied with. Well, the Provisional Patent Application Filing Kit 2010 is designed to give such inventors a reasonable shot at filing a good patent application themselves… at a reasonable cost. I feel that giving independent inventors the right information in an easy-to-read-and-follow format with all of the forms is better than them “winging it” as many independent inventors do. I hope this clarifies the purpose of the Provisional Patent Application Filing Kit 2010 and who should purchase it. Best regards, Brian R. Rayve Owner, InventionPatenting.com

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I have talked to many independent inventors who want to get “patent pending” for their inventions at a reasonable cost but have no idea where to go or how to do so. While preparing and filing your own provisional patent application is not “rocket science” and is within the skills that most people possess, there are a number of things that you need to know to do it right. Why not do it right by getting the information you need… at a rather nominal cost?

Well, the new Provisional Patent Application Filing Kit 2010 provides you with complete instructions and forms to lock in “patent pending” for your invention at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office! Includes instructions for filing electronically and by mail. Plus, if you order now, you receive two bonus products: “Doing Your Own Professional-Quality Patent Search… NOW!” and “Getting Your Products into the Big Box Retailers… NOW!”. These are excellent companions to the Provisional Patent Application Filing Kit that respectively show you how to determine whether or not to try to patent your new product idea and how to get your products into the big retailers like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and more. I urge you to check it out at: http://www.inventionpatenting.com/provisional-patent-kit.html Best regards, Brian R. Rayve Owner, InventionPatenting.com

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I do not know who this is… but steering so as to cut the entire lawn may be a problem! Likewise, I hope that a snooze shut-off is included so the lawn mower does not unwittingly cut the neighbor’s lawn… and the neighbor’s neighbor’s lawn… and the neighbor’s neighbor’s neighbor’s lawn… and so-on.

Actually, my father tried using one of the first self-propelled push mowers to automatically cut the lawn in our backyard in the early 1970s. He placed a post in the middle of our backyard and connected it to the lawn mower using a rope long enough to reach the outer edges of the lawn. The diameter of the post was such that one trip around the post caused a length of rope nearly equal to the cutting width of the lawn mower to wrap around the post. This continually moved the lawn mower inwardly towards the post to provide slightly overlapping cuts. Only one problem my dad did not count on… the lawn was rectangular in shape!

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I have talked to many independent inventors and other entrepreneurs who want to get their new products into the “Big Box Retailers” such as Wal-Mart, Costco, Home Depot, K-Mart, PETCO, Sears, J.C. Penney, and others but have no idea how to do so. Well, I decided to do some research to see what is required to qualify and submit products to the big box retailers.

I was surprised by all that I learned and I decided to write an audio CD with corresponding fill-in workbook that explains how you can get your products into the big box retailers. After listening to my new audio CD “Getting Your Products into the Big Box Retailers… NOW!”, you will know the the basics of big box retailing, how to contact retailers, and how to become a Wal-Mart, Costco, Home Depot, K-Mart, PETCO, Sears, and J.C. Penney supplier. I urge you to check it out at: http://www.inventionpatenting.com/inventors-guide-big-box-retailers-cd.html Best regards, Brian R. Rayve Owner, InventionPatenting.com

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I have talked to many inventors looking to inexpensively advertise their inventions for sale, license, or investment online.  Setting up and maintaining a website is quite an ordeal… believe me… I know first-hand!

Well, I have set up a brand new way for inventors such as yourself to do so.  You get your own web page for your invention along with a hits counter to track how many people have viewed your invention.  Prospective buyers, licensees, and investors can contact you directly by email to discuss your invention.  Upload any YouTube video of your invention if you like.

Your invention will appear on the major search engines and on an RSS feed that potential buyers, licensees, and investors can subscribe to.  You can purchase additional monthly visitor traffic to your personal invention web page after signing up.

To view the currently listed inventions visit:   http://www.inventionpatenting.com/inventions.html

List your invention today.  Here is what to do:

Non-Members:

Step 1. Join InventionPatenting.com for FREE to gain access to our Invention Listing Service, our Ultimate Inventor Resources, our FREE Independent Inventor’s Kit, and other member perks at:  http://www.inventionpatenting.com/your-details/create-an-account.html

Step 2: Login to your account on the “Login Form” at the left side of the web page.

Step 3: Review the advertising packages on our member home page.

Step 4. Add your invention for sale, license, or investment by clicking on the “Add Invention” link at the top of the web page.

Step 5:  Purchase the Basic or Pro Advertising Package (through PayPal) if you want to send additional monthly visitor traffic to your own personal invention web page.

Step 6: Your invention will be reviewed for content then posted on your invention web page.  You will be emailed with the URL of your invention web page when posted or if we have questions regarding your proposed posting.

Members:

Step 1: Login to your account at:  http://www.inventionpatenting.com

Step 2: Follow Steps 3-6 above.

Note: This is a brand new service to inventors and as such we will not be able to judge its effectiveness for several months.  The service will be adjusted as needed to increase its effectiveness in getting sales, licenses, and investors for inventors.

Best regards,

Brian R. Rayve

P.S. This service is only for patented or “patent pending” inventions as this service will “Publicly Disclose” your invention.

THAT MEANS THAT USING THIS SERVICE CAN RUIN YOUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN PATENT PROTECTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES IF USED PREMATURELY.

Be sure to discuss your particular invention, goals, and the like with your patent attorney or patent agent before signing up for this service.

P.P.S. Here are two good blog posts to read prior to talking to your patent attorney:

Hoping Your Patent Application Gets Published Soon – Think Again!
http://www.inventionpatenting.com/ipblog2/hoping-your-patent-application-gets-published-soon-think-again/

What Is Your “Invention Game Plan”?
http://www.inventionpatenting.com/ipblog2/what-is-your-invention-game-plan/

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Do you have a website promoting your new product idea? It can be a great way to promote products. However, there are many pitfalls to doing so naively.

For example, I have been spending thousands of dollars on pay-per-click search engines over the last few years to promote my website. I have received many click-throughs but the costs have far outweighed any profits made from the clicks.

Recently I read that RELATIONSHIPS count, not CLICKS! I thought to myself duh! Why did I not properly follow-up with all of the people who clicked through and signed-up to download my free Independent Inventor’s Kit? It seems so simple now.

Well, that is why I am now blogging regularly and emailing those click-throughs to establish relationships with them! Most will probably never buy any products or services from me, but those that do will be worth it (financially speaking).

Regardless, I did not get into business solely to make money (though it helps to pay the bills), but to help people. I hope that those people who never become customers are helped by the free information they get from my website.

Well, I hope that you follow-up on the leads, including paid clicks, that you get… they are worth pursuing to build those relationships and some end up as friendships.

Remember to offer some incentive (that helps people) to capture contact information… typically at least first name and email… so you can follow up. Also keep in mind that people are flooded with emails these days. Most people throw out 9 out of 10 emails they receive… so make sure your emails offer VALUE to recipients (i.e. supply some knowledge or product worth spending their increasingly scarce time to open and looking at).

In future articles I will write more tips on alternatives to email follow-up. Stay tuned!

Talk to you again soon… remember to follow-up and build those relationships!

Tells you how to really make money on your website.

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I have wanted to set up a regular forum (rather than a blog) where independent inventors from all over the world can share their experiences patenting and marketing their inventions or new product ideas. Well, it is finally here.

The forum is multilingual on both the front end (viewing posts) and on the back end (your account to make posts) so you can talk with inventors from all over the world in their native languages!

To view posts on the front end in any of 42 languages, simply click on the drop-down menu at the top left corner of each web page of the forum. You can set the language on the back end when you register as a new user.

Inventors are pioneers… so be among the first to sign up and post to our Independent Inventors Forum.

Sign up for our Independent Inventors Forum by clicking here.

Best regards,

Brian R. Rayve
Owner, InventionPatenting.com

P.S. Be sure to let me know what discussion topics and categories you would like at: Forum@InventionPatenting.com.

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