I have an idea for a product...how can I get it started?

Question

I have an idea for a product (cosmetic) that has created a bit of a buzz w/ my friends.The only thing left for me to do is get it started! Now here's the important question, how CAN I get it started???
As someone inexperienced what advice can you give me on where to look, (websites, publications etc) that can give me a better sense of direction on what I need to do in getting started?

All of your information is greatly appreciated. xoxo

Sorry for being a bit vague in the introduction, but to give a little more background, this idea/product makes up of other products. Example: Like an everyday tool kit w/ simple everyday tools combined. The niche is that having this tool kit packed with all the right tools gives my target consumer the convenience and necessities for their everyday busy lives. Packaging will play a very important part when setting this product apart from the rest. I have a name, sketches of logo, purchased domain name, I'm currently in the process of putting the 1st prototype together...It seems that I have all the ideas just little to no direction on what to do next. - I thank you all again for taking the time to answer my question. :)

Answer 1

It is not possible to protect ideas but rather the representation of that idea.

To protect an original invention OR a significant improvement to an existing product, a patent would be filed. Here's the USPTO's definition: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#patent

NOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

Getting a Patent:
* Patent It Yourself (11th Edition) by David Pressman
* Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook by U.S. Department of Commerce
* How To Make Patent Drawings Yourself: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Jack Lo
* The Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Fred E. Grissom

What to do Next:
* From Patent To Profit: Secrets & Strategies For The Successful Inventor, Third Edition by Bob Dematteis
* How to License Your Million Dollar Idea: Everything You Need To Know To Turn a Simple Idea into a Million Dollar Payday, 2nd Edition by Harvey Reese
* The Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas by Ronald Louis Docie
* The Complete Idiot's Guide ® to Cashing in On Your Inventions by Richard Levy

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

First of all, you might want to patent the idea so don't talk to that many people about it. If they go blabbing about it in their blogs or myspace you could lose the right to patent it.

You may not necessarily want to patent though, because it costs money ($thousands) to do that and you want to make sure you have something that is worth something.

It might be that you will need to sell your idea to a company that is capable of manufacturing and distributing it. Or you might be able to contract with some company to make it and then distribute it yourself. In either case you will need to patent it BEFORE you talk to companies about it.

How do you do find out if there is interest in your product idea without giving away your rights to it and before you've invested in a patent?

Write up a "non-confidential disclosure form". This is kind of a buzz sheet that says what the product does without telling how you do it. Maybe what problem it solves, or that it combines certain properties of other products in a way nothing else does. But be vague enough that you don't give it away. It's got to have some pizzazz to make it exciting. Even some marketing numbers (these can be big estimates: X million people will be wiling to pay Y dollars per item). You might want to use this to approach whatever partners you need about getting money or help from a company to get you started to generate interest.

If there is interest in talking more, I would hire a patent attorney at that point to draw up a confidential disclosure contract and a Discovery Record to beging the patent process. Maybe see if you can talk to a patent attorney for free before you do the non-confidential disclosure.

I hope this helps some. Not much more I can add without knowing more.

Answer 3

It does not matter how you start your story. It depends on how you want the reader to feel while they are reading it. You want to convey some emotions and have the reader wanting to read more, and you should arrange the story line the way the you will be most effective in getting your ideas across. Make a list of things you want to include, in any order. Then, arrange that list in chronological order as the things happen. Lastly, rearrange the list in the way you think you might be able to arrange the storyline to leave things out at various parts, if you want a bit of mystery, or in a way that will capture the reader the best way, and to place the interesting parts where the book might start to get too boring after not enough excitement.

Answer 4

Sure.. Create a community on http://qlippa.com, write an article or two about it and your business, invite al your friends to check it out.. and get the word of mouth flowing.

word of mouth is the best and cheapest.. The best I have seen is http://qlippa.com

If you go there and then look at the 'Tell me how page' they go into a lot of detail about how word of mouth marketing affects sales revenue and profitability.. Best thing is to set up your business on it, it's free, add articles about the things you do, then invite customers to the community.. The system gives you a breakdown of your customer loyalty and gives customers a way to do word of mouth referrals for you online.. It's cool, free, and it works.

Also, it's a great way for a google search to find you!