Common Mistakes First-Time Inventors Make
Unless you live and breathe the invention industry, starting off with limited knowledge can be a bit daunting when trying to produce a product. At first, it might be a bit overwhelming when a hopeful inventor sees how much money and work will go into their “baby” from start to finish. Over the past 28 years we’ve been in business, we’ve seen just about everything. Our job is to create an excitement and ease for manufacturing and selling your product. When issues arise, we try to maintain that same mindset.
Below are a list of common mistakes or things that are overlooked by some when first delving into creating their invention with us.
No Research
Lack of research on the part of the inventor can be a very critical mistake. Proper research into the invention is vital to see if there are any similar products already on the market. You don’t want to spend money and time on a product that already exists in the world. Even worse, finding a product that better solves that problem. This can also help you when you go to create your patent. You want to ensure that yours is unique, innovative, and not theft of others’ ideas, with prior knowledge or not.
Research also helps you further understand how you can market your product, how it currently sells in the current market climate, and what the demand is. Research is there to give you prior insight so you’re not a deer in headlights 6 months down the road when you find out you’re in competition with similar, or better products.
Seeking feedback from friends or family
Asking friends and family for their input on your invention might seem like a good idea, but it’s dangerous. Even if your loved ones are brutally honest with their opinions, they are too closely involved emotionally to be completely unbiased. Finding strangers, or people who don’t know you personally, to rate or comment on your ideas can be sometimes biting, but priceless in the long run. What a bummer it would be to get social media comments shoved down your throat about some small issue that you would have been able to smooth out earlier.
Whether it’s hard to hear or not, negative comments give us the most growth. Inventions exist to solve a problem that humans want solved. Finding the best possible solution should be the final destination, not saving your pride and feelings.
Unrealistic Expectations
In today’s world, everyone wants results, money, and fame NOW. Although we never discourage dreaming and reaching for as much success as possible, it’s easy to be disillusioned with the bigger, down the road success than the day to day grind. Besides a few star breakout products, inventions take a lot of love, time, and care to become wildly sensational. I’m sure you’ve heard of Apple or Pixar with humble beginnings in their respective garages. I’m here to somewhat deflate your bubble when I say that they are the exception, not the rule. Dream big and never compromise your ideas, but understand that not every idea is a golden one, and to keep expectations in check keep you stable in setting realistic goals.
Expecting Money to Appear
“But my idea is genius! I have no money but I’m sure someone can give me some!”
Don’t we all wish the world worked that way. And I’ll be damned that sometimes, it actually DOES work that way for some people. As I’ve said above, this is the exception and definitely not the rule. Point blank – inventions need money to incubate, grow, and hatch. Coming into the first steps towards creating your invention broke might not be the best investment of your already limited funds, or seem like a lack of planning and commitment on your end. Make sure you have solid investment before crossing the threshold into product development.
Lacking knowledge or Experience in Business
This can be the downfall of many. So many times, we see ingenious ideas go bust if you don’t have the proper knowledge and expertise in this area. At Source Direct, we work directly with manufacturers overseas, help file patents and trademarks, create prototypes, market and promote the product, and even help sell it! There are many connections that we have made over decades to create such a fine-tuned machine. Going your own, especially on your first invention, may not be the wisest idea.
In all honesty, it takes village. Factory owners, engineers, test subjects, designers, marketers, negotiators, writers, salesmen, and more all have a hand in making your product the strongest and most successful product on the market.
So, if you’re thinking of starting the process of getting your idea made, don’t hesitate to call or email us. Even if you’re a new person who doesn’t know the first thing about all of this, we make it super simple and enjoyable for you from start to finish. What are you waiting for?
Comment below if you have any more common mistakes among new inventors!