Browse Tag: inventors

The 6 Keys to Invention Success – The Short Story!

Source Direct Presents – 6 Keys to Invention Success

We’ve put together a list of the 6 Keys to Invention Success – use these when looking for a company to help you realize your inventing dreams and goals.

#1  – Do your research and look for obvious red flags! We often hear inventors complain about being taken advantage of by invention companies claiming to have all the answers.  A company that gives you a price for your project without seeing the product first-hand is probably not the direction you should go. Inventions are intricate, and no two are alike.   Don’t settle for a one size fits all program unless you are looking for cookie cutter results.  An honest company will want to evaluate your product to determine the right next steps for you.

#2 –Spend Wisely and Read the Contract. We all only have so many financial resources to achieve our product development and commercialization goals. If you partner with a company, make sure they are money well spent. If a company sends you a quote for services, make sure you get clarification on exactly what you’ll be receiving. The biggest mistake you can make is spending your allocated capital incorrectly on services that don’t get you where you want to be.

#3 – Be Open to Suggestion. Inventors often fall in love with their invention.  And it’s understandable. However, there may be suggestions given to you to help enhance/improve/modify your product so it will have a better chance  in the marketplace. Experts have years of experience in manufacturing, consumer buying habits, retail requirements, etc. that they may suggest you apply to your product to increase its commercial viability.  Keep an open mind.

#4 – Try to Get It All Done Together. Spreading your project across to many different companies can be hazardous to coordinate. Letting ONE COMPANY handle the project eliminates finger pointing. We are responsible from start to finish.

#5 – Keep Marketing In Mind. When your product has completed manufacturing and is “on the ground” ready to go to the consumer, do you have the proper sell sheets, proper pricing, shipping logistics, social media campaigns, or website design? Remember, you only have a few seconds to make a first impression; you’ll want your marketing materials to be persuasive and engaging, while highlighting the benefits of your amazing product. Utilizing every open source of digital and direct-to-consumer marketing will help promote your product to the appropriate audience.

#6 – Has The Manufacturer Been There Before? Make sure the company you choose walks the walk and talks the talk. Find out how many products of their own they have taken from a design to a finished product and actually sold them through. Ask them the last time they were on a factory floor. You need a manufacturer working for you who knows how to handle every step of the process – make sure you’re paying an expert, not someone who will be soliciting help from someone else. 

 

Interview with Ed Mauro, Source Direct Founder

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Our founder, Ed, was interviewed today on the Innovation Divaz radio show!

The Innovation Divaz really know the who, what and why of inventing, and love that they can share their knowledge connections and great women invented products with their audience. Meet Melinda Knight – business woman, inventor and expert social media and celebrity gifting guru! And her co host, Dhana Cohen who has been inventing products, businesses, marketing contests, and events for over 20 years! The Innovation Divaz not only co-host this fantastic talk show, they also run the ULTIMATE connection platform for the entire inventor industry at www.inventorznetwork.com! 

 

Source Direct is a member of the Inventorz Network, and looks forward to the opportunities still to come with their organization! Want to listen to the full interview?

Use the player below:

Source Direct and the United Inventors Association (UIA) – a great pair!

The world can be a scary place for inventors – scams around every corner, shady business deals, and a lack of knowledge on different steps of the inventing process. Due to the rising need of educational resources for inventors, different organizations were formed to help the everyday inventor. The UIA is definitely one of them.

From the UIA Website: 

The UIA is a Federally Registered Non-Profit Educational Foundation. Our commitment is to provide educational resources to the inventing community, while encouraging honest and ethical business practices within the industry service providers. If you are not a member of the UIA we invite you to join the thousands of other inventors who are. It’s Quick, It’s Simple…and It’s Free. 

Source Direct has been working with the UIA for years, and subsequently, helping many inventors who need it! Networking with reputable organizations is one way to make your dreams a reality, especially if you are an inventor. If you are interested in joining the UIA, click this link! Membership is free!

Do you have an idea for a product? Call us today – 888-373-3876, extension 212!

We offer free consultations! Don’t delay – call today!

 

 

 

What are your NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS?

In 2014, did you follow through with all of your New Year’s Resolutions? Here are some interesting statistics when it comes to New Years Resolutions (courtesy of http://www.statisticbrain.com/):

 

New Years Resolution Statistics Data
Percent of Americans who usually make New Year’s Resolutions 45%
Percent of Americans who infrequently make New Year’s Resolutions 17%
Percent of Americans who absolutlely never make New Year’s Resolutions 38%
Percent of people who are successful in achieving their resolution 8% – WOW!

It can be concluded based on the data above that it’s pretty tough to hold on to your New Years Resolutions. As an inventor, was it a goal to create your first product prototype? Or maybe to design your packaging? Inventions can take lots of time, and goal setting is incredibly important. Here  are a few tips to keep in mind if developing your product will be a New Years Resolution in 2015:

  • Set realistic goals. Most benchmark time-frames fail because of improper planning. Know how long a certain goal will take, and plan accordingly.
  • Stick to your timeline. If you stray from the allotted time, it will make your vision harder to achieve.
  • Consult a professional if you aren’t hitting your goals and moving backward instead of forward.
  • Be sure that you are satisfied with your idea before setting goals and timelines. Back-tracking is detrimental to your product success if it’s on a deadline.

Would you like some assistance in setting goals and preparing your invention for 2015? Our experts at Source Direct would love to hear from you. Give us a call today at 888-373-3876, extension 212. Consultations are always free.

Start planning for 2015 now! Get your invention on shelves before the next busy season!

Avoiding Suspicious Activity – Inventors, Be CAUTIOUS!

“There is no greater fraud than a promise not kept.” – Gaelic Proverb

Fraud is everywhere. Lies, deciet, scams – it’s all around us. Sometimes we may see an opportunity that is too good to be true, and more than likely, it typically is. Take a look at this infographic (courtesy of http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/internet-scam-hotspots-infographic/).

scams

Understand, though, that there are ways to make sure you aren’t being scammed. One of the main reason why scam artists get away with their tactics is because consumers don’t do enough research. Before you say yes to anything, no matter how big or small, know the benefits (or even the consequences). Property can be stolen right from under your nose if you aren’t careful.

That’s where inventing scams come in. Our founder of Source Direct, Ed Mauro, was a new inventor back in the late 80’s and witnessed every scam and setback you can think of. “Come to us and we’ll manufacture your product and have it on every shelf, in every store, in the entire USA!”, before they’ve seen the invention or concept! Some invention support/promotion organizations alike to us (Source Direct) may turn down ideas – not every single invention will be a winner in the eyes of the organization. Ask for a complimentary consultation with Source Direct to see if your product may be a fit!

Over 25 years has passed since his first invention, and now Ed has brought his expertise to all Source Direct clients to make sure that the development of their product is seamless and non-stressful.

A few red flags of shady Invention Production Companies could be:

  • Saying YES to your product idea before seeing a prototype.
  • Asking for a large sum of money up front without a promise of services.
  • Promising that the item will immediately become a success – it’s all based on the market, economic climate, supply/demand, and product quality and usefulness.
  • Not having any past successes.
  • Lacking a website or a phone number associated with the company.

What should you ask the Invention Production Company for?

  1. Client Testimonials/References (for applicable clients – some may have confidentiality agreements).
  2. Website/Phone Number/Email
  3. Signed contract or proposal, clearly stating the project outline and expectations.
  4. Mailing Address – to an actual location (a red flag could be a P.O. box).
  5. Marketing samples from previous inventions.

Here are a few scam prevention articles that have been published for the benefit of aspiring inventors:

  1. http://inventors.about.com/cs/avoidingscams/ht/Invention_Scams.htm
  2. http://www.ipwatchdog.com/inventing/avoiding-invention-scams/ 
  3. http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0184-invention-promotion-firms

The faulty and shady techniques of inventor support organizations inspired Ed to create Source Direct, a resource for inventors who are looking for support from concept to completion. Source Direct is a member of the UIA (United Inventors Association of America) and the Inventorz Network. Past successes, products, and our mission can be seen on TheSourceDirect.net.

Do you have an idea for a product? Call us today – 888-373-3876, extension 212!

We offer free consultations! Our experts would be happy to hear from you, and find out more about your product. Ask for Nathan!

I have an idea! What should I do next?

Lead-Successful-Invention2Every invention that has ever gone to market started as an idea in the mind of an inventor. The steps that they took directly afterwards are what made them either successes or failures. A lot of planning, development, and even money goes in to the creation of a product – it’s vital that you take the appropriate steps to see an invention to completion.

Here are a few helpful hints that past (and satisfied) clients from Source Direct have shared with us:

  1. Understand your product fully before meeting with an organization that promises to develop your idea. Know what the product’s primary function is, and stick to it. Inventor resource companies, alike to Source Direct, will only work with inventors who have a solid idea and a game plan.
  2. Beware of scam artists who claim to be able to “solve all of your problems with money up front”. You need to be able to trust the organization helping to create your product – they are the lifeline to your livelihood. Look through all documentation, understand milestones, and set realistic goals. Ask the company to show you past successes.
  3. Work with a company that will offer a FREE consultation. Source Direct always gives totally free consultations and evaluations. Some organizations will work with anyone and everyone, just to turn over a profit. Source Direct has a very particular on-boarding process, and it’s taken seriously!
  4. Do a search to make sure your idea has not been patented already. You can do a free search on at www.uspto.gov.
  5. The worst thing you can do is prematurely spend all of your money that you’ve allocated for the project. Know your budget, and make sure that the company you work with is reputable.

Most ideas/inventions fail in the early stages due to lack of preparedness, and not knowing where to go or who to talk to. With Source Direct, we have 25+ years in the industry to back us up!

Do you have an idea? Are you in the early stages of invention development? We’d like to help!

Give us a call at 888-373-3876, extension 212. You can also email Marketing@TheSourceDirect.net and a representative will be in touch with you within 24 hours. Our consultations are always free. 

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