Every inventor has that moment: one minute, you’re struggling with a problem, and the next, you’ve come up with a great new solution for how to fix it.  You can picture your product in your mind’s eye, and you know you need to make it a reality.

So, How Do You Take Your Invention Idea and Turn It into a Tangible Product?

Step 1: Come Up With An Invention Idea And DON’T LOSE IT

• How Do You Know If You Have An Invention Idea?

An invention idea may present itself to you in the form of a way to improve an existing product (i.e., “building a better mouse trap”), or you may have an idea for an entirely new product category.

Your idea could be inspired by an existing product that’s been around for decades, but if you’ve found a way to solve a problem, then you just might have invented the best thing since sliced bread.  Quick, write down your idea before something comes along to distract you!

• Keep Track Of Your Invention Ideas

An invention idea is like a balloon in a child’s hand; it needs to be held tightly or it can easily float away.

If you’re an inventor, then you understand how a great idea can unexpectedly pop into your head without even a moment’s notice, and if you’re not careful, it can be forgotten just as quickly.  Make sure you capture your ideas as soon as they come to you.

If you’re a serial inventor, you can organize your invention ideas in a journal, or create a folder on your computer where you can store your thoughts and revisit them later.  Whatever your preferred method is, record your ideas in a safe place where you can easily find them when you’re ready.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Idea Is Really YOUR Idea

If capturing your idea is the most important step, researching your invention is the second most important.  As an inventor, it’s your responsibility to make sure the products you’re inventing are, in fact, unique.

As you’ve probably guessed by now, you can easily start your research with everybody’s favorite search engine, Google.  Search for terms related to your product, and take some time to dig through the results.

Step 3: Research Your Future Competitors

I can’t stress this enough: research, research, research!  Make sure you’re familiar with all of your potential competitors’ products.  Some key details you should research are:

• Competitors’ brand and product names.
• Price points of your competitors’ invention products.
• Where your competitors’ products are being sold.
• What your competitors’ packaging looks like.
• What are consumers saying about your competitors’ products? Does your invention idea align with the market’s feedback?
• What materials are your competitors’ products made out of, and how does this differ from the product you’re thinking of creating?

Step 4: Name Your Invention

You’ve got your idea, you’ve done your research, and now you’re ready to take action!  But what are you going to call your product?  Chances are, you’ve already come up with some ideas during the first two steps we discussed, but remember, the first name you think of may not be the name you end up using.

Step 5: Protect Your Product

You’ve got your invention idea, you’ve done your research, and you’ve come up with a great name for your product.  You’re well on your way towards becoming a successful entrepreneur, but there’s one small step that you can’t overlook: protecting your product from being ripped off.

Before you can protect your product, though, you’ll first need to understand whether or not it’s able to be patented.

According to the USPTO, an invention can be patented…

unless “(a) the invention was known or used by others in this country, or patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country, before the invention thereof by the applicant for a patent,” or “(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public use or on sale in this country, more than one year prior to the date of application for patent in the United States.”

So, what does this mean for you?  In simple terms, your idea must be 100% brand new and unheard of in order to be eligible for a patent, but filing for a patent in and of itself is a crucial step that requires some time and patience.  Once again, you may wish to visit the USPTO website, where you can find a list of resources for inventors that can help you get started on protecting your new product.

To read the full article visit https://nationalinventorclub.com/new-invention-ideas-the-first-5-steps-towards-creating-your-product/