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Is Your Goal to Make an Invention
or Make Money From Your Invention?

Invention Statistic: In 2007, inventors let 63,617 patents expire early (1,223 per week on average). In 2008, the number could be higher.
     Source: Product Coach Matthew Yubas

     What does this statistic mean? After you rec eive a utility patent, there are maintenance fees due just before years four, eight, and twelve. As of September 30, 2007 the fees are $465, $1,180, and $1,955 respectively. When the inventor does not pay the maintenance fees, the patent expires and is considered abandoned.

     If someone was making money from their invention, you'd expect they would pay the maintenance fees. Obviously, with over 1,000 patents abandoned on a weekly basis, something is very wrong!

Typical Causes Of Failure

     There are a number of inventing pitfalls that lead to failure. Here are some causes:

- Rushing to get a patent
- Not determining marketability
- Not taking into account competition
- Not following a roadmap
- Wrong product features
- No product benefits
- Incorrect pricing, and more.

     As a result, thousands of inventors every week are following the old method: getting a prototype made, then filing a patent, and going into production, only to lose money and their dreams.

The 3 P's Of Inventing (the wrong way)

     Many times inventors come to me any say, "I have an idea that I'm working on that I think is patentable." I say great. But what you want is an invention that is marketable. One that will serve the needs of people and generate a profit for yourself.

Prototype - Patent - Production

     There are many examples of inventions with patents that never make it to the market, or fail in the market. If you're following the old method of what I call the 3P's - Prototype, Patent, and Production - stop now!

The Product Marketing P's

     Keep in mind that there's more to a product than just its features or technology. Let's look at other P's from a marketing perspective. There's Product Benefits, Product Advantages, Pricing, Positioning, Profit Analysis, Product Requirements, Publicity, Promotion, Packaging, Product Name, Product Launch Plan, and Placement (distribution). These all need to be considered during invention creation and product development, not after.

Focus On Solving A Problem

     While it might be your goal to make money from your ideas, I believe the focus should be on customer needs. For example, if your focus is saving people from cancer, you would certainly become rich and famous. I believe that the inventor's goal should be to help others, and by doing so, you'll be helped in return.

     Your inventions don't have to be complicated. Usually the simpler the better. Betty Nesmith, a secretary and single mother in the 1950's, saw that people were making a lot of mistakes with the new high speed electric typewriters. Being an artist, she thought about ways to cover up the mistakes with a "white-out" fluid. In 1980, she sold the Liquid Paper company for $47.5 million.

     There are other examples of product successes with humble beginnings. Unfortunately, there are many more inventions that didn't make it, but could have with a little tweaking.

What If You Already Have A Patent And Prototype?

     An inventor came to me with a patent and prototype, was ready to go into production, and then to the market. Thankfully I was there to save him.

      With a quick look at his prototype, I knew there were many problems. For one, the cost to manufacture this truck accessory was going to be overly expensive. Not only that, the selling price that someone would be willing to pay was about equal to the cost of making each one. He was on the road to financial disaster. We had to redesign the whole thing to improve functionality, reduce costs, and make it sellable.

     Also, since he got the patent too early, it protected a design that was not going to be the final product. Sometimes a "continuation in part" can be used (changes to an existing patent), but in his case, a new patent was needed.

      I also showed him how to listen to the customer (which he hadn't done before) and make a product they would be exited to buy. As a result, with a much better product, he was able to get a nice licensing deal.

     If you already have a patent or prototype, it's a good idea to get a reality check from a professional before you go any further.

Are You Thinking About Turning Your Idea Over to a Submission Company Hoping They Will Make You Rich?

     Who do you think will be more passionate about your invention, you or some invention submission company? You of course. These companies are working with dozens if not hundreds of ideas from other inventors. How much time will they devote to you? Likely not much.

     Because no one is more passionate about your idea than you, you need to take the steps. Once you learn the "real" invention process, you'll be able to repeat this over and over again with all your creative ideas.

     Don't throw your money away with these development companies.

     Inventors send me emails all the time asking for help after they spent $10,000 to $15,000 and got nothing in return. Development companies say they will get you a patent and submit your ideas to the industry. Patent attorneys have told me privately that the patents written by these development companies are weak at best.

     Manufacturers tell me they receive these submission packages all the time, and then throw them straight into the trash. The submission company is off the hook because they said they would submit your ideas to the industry.

     The first thing they do is get you to buy a market report for about $700. The report is a basic template with basic information - basically worthless. With the report in hand, they tell you that the market research indicates your idea has big potential.

     They also try to hit you up for marketing programs such as videos and exhibiting your invention at tradeshows. The schemes go on and on, and so does your money, with nothing to show for it.

Learn From My Failures And Successes

      I show inventors and entrepreneurs how to make money from their ideas. I've been developing and marketing products for over 20 years.

Matthew Yubas (r) presenting to the Kansas City, MO Inventors Club at the Kauffman Foundation

      I started out as a frustrated inventor. I dropped out of college to work on my inventions to try to change the world. But these good ideas failed to make it into the market. It was disappointing to see my ideas show up in the store made by someone else. The only good news was that if my ideas were showing up in the market, I must be on the right track.

     By going back to school for an engineering degree, getting an MBA, and launching products for small to Fortune 500 companies, I've learned how to turn ideas into million dollar products. The good news is that you don't need to go through the hardship and frustration I went through. You can learn how to invent from my failures and successes.

Invent Your Own Success

     Let's suppose you were to take a trip driving across the country. And assume you didn't have a roadmap. You would likely take wrong turns, backtrack, and zigzag your way across the country, assuming you even make it. That's the same with inventing. Without a roadmap, you'll likely waste time and money.

      To help you succeed I've created the Invention Success Kit. This step-by-step system combines marketing, sales, and development in one complete package. This system provides you with a clear roadmap to get your product idea to market quickly and easily.

     With the Invention Success Kit, you'll learn the steps to get to market, methods to protect and evaluate your ideas, make a prototype, get your product manufactured, self-market or license your idea, and much, much more.

Real-World Information You Can Use

     You'll learn the same methods used by successful inventors and product development companies. The difference is that now for the first time the Invention Success Kit brings all the key information together into one package.

     Your invention could be the next Pet Rock, Rubik's Cube, Sony Walkman, Oreo cookie, or other million-dollar product. In the Invention Success Kit, you'll use proven principles to:

You'll Get Answers, To Your Questions…

     You're going to save time, make money, and save yourself aggravation. You'll learn to avoid mistakes and disastrous situations that inventors are vulnerable to.

     Getting off to the wrong start could be costly. If you give thousands of dollars to a fraudulent invention company or get a patent too early, you'll likely be out of money to go any further. Empower yourself with knowledge and learn…

     When I was a young engineer, I thought marketing involved only advertising and picking colors. I didn't think marketing was much of anything.

      Then I realized how marketing and selling was the key to success. Now, you'll gain from my 20 years of product development and marketing experience to:

     The development and launch phase is where your idea truly comes alive and you're rewarded for your hard work. Maybe you thought you couldn't get this far. That's because you didn't have a roadmap and my step-by-step procedures to guide you along the way. I'll teach you:

Extras — Funding Your Idea, Writing A Product Plan

     No invention or product development resource is complete unless it tells you how to get funding for your idea. You'll learn the different types of funding, how to work with banks, angel investors, and venture capitalists. I also uncover the facts about getting SBA loans.

     And to get funding you need to show a plan. I've outlined the sections of a business plan that investors want to see and the details a product plan must contain.

Business Startup Checklist

     If you decide to create a business around your invention, I've outlined the advantages, disadvantages and differences, between a sole proprietorship, general partnership, corporation, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships. You'll learn which is best for product liability, taxes, and growth.

The Proper Mix Of Development And Marketing

     You'll benefit from my 20 years of experience bringing products to the market. I've worked on both sides — development as an engineer, and marketing and sales as an MBA. It's fun to be creative and develop products. It's even more fun to be rewarded for your efforts. And isn't that what you want — to sell your idea or product? I'll be with you each step of the way as you formulate, create, produce, and sell your invention.

Why Did I Write the Invention Success Kit?

     I wanted to help people who have good ideas but were frustrated in not knowing what to do with them. For years, inventors and entrepreneurs have asked me the same questions over and over again about how to turn an idea into a market success. With so many good ideas floating around and a small percentage making it the market, I saw a need to get practical information out to the public.

How Is This Information Different From Other Invention And Product Development Resources?

     Many marketing, invention, and product books talk about methods used at Fortune 500 companies, but they do not translate well into the needs of a small business or individual. Other books written by famous inventors discuss their life story and their successes, but they don't offer a process that the new inventor can easily follow.

     Also, many books will tell you what to do, but they do not really tell you how to do it. I take a reader by the hand step-by-step and tell them what to do and how to bring a product to market.

What Research Was Done?

     My goal was to uncover the newest and most essential information. First, I reviewed in detail my experiences of taking products from concept to commercialization. Pouring over documentation, timelines, and project notes, I re-assembled the processes each step of the way.

     In addition, I interviewed experts on the newest prototype and manufacturing methods, patent attorneys on the current issues, professors and successful entrepreneurs on time-tested marketing techniques, packaging designers, and investors on methods to raise money. As a result, it took almost two years to plan, research, and complete.

Is This Easy To Understand?

     People who use the Invention Success Kit say that the material is clear and concise. There are many step-by-step procedures, tips, and examples to help readers translate the methods to their own inventions. Some people read the entire guidebook and then apply the techniques, while others read a particular section as a resource.

Take Ownership

     With the Invention Success Kit I lead you step-by-step through the entire process. Because the information you're about to receive is the best resource on inventing, I offer a complete guarantee.

     Don't try to reinvent the wheel yourself. Take ownership of the Invention Success Kit and for the first time you'll be on your way to turning your ideas into reality.

Invention Success Kit

Get all the information needed to Self-Market or License your product idea to companies. Invention Success Kit in 3-Ring Binder Invention Templates CD Quick Start Guide, Checklist, and Invention Resources Invention Success Kit Invention Success Kit 3-Ring Binder $99.95 Quick Start Guide, Checklist, and Invention Resources $19.95 Invention Templates CD $29.95 Shipping $8.10 Total: $157.95 SPECIAL PACKAGE: $95.00 Save $62.95 with FREE Shipping in the United States. Special ends — Ordering Options — • Click to order now with your Credit Card … (PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or eCheck) One Payment of $95 Secure Online $95.00 Three Monthly Payments: - 1 payment today $35.00 (Package shipped to you) - Then 2 monthly payments $35.00 each Total: $105.00 • Click to order now with your Credit Card … (PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or eCheck) Secure Online $35.00 x 3 • Order with check or money order … • Ship to: Canada, Mexico, Americas, Europe, Asia, Pacific, Africa

If you are not satisfied for any reason, you'll receive a 100% refund of your money (less shipping) if returned within 60 days of purchase.

    The included Invention Templates are helpful planning guides, worksheets, and exercises. They are available as Microsoft Word and Excel files that you can use as is, or copy and paste to your own documents.

     The following Invention Templates save you valuable time and improve your planning and organization:

• Licensing Proposal
• Licensing Agreement
• Idea Assessment
• Idea Description
• Similar Products
• Benefits and Features
• Product Advantages
• Revenue Potential
• Cost of Goods Sold
• Expense Estimates
• Profit Potential
• Customer Profile
• Concept Survey
• Product Characteristics
• Patent Search Log
• Prototype Goals
• Prototype Interview Plan
• Marketing Tools
• Distribution Planning
• Marketing Theme
• Packaging Elements
• Packaging Design
• Product Launch Kit
• Marketing and Sales Log
• Competitive Analysis
• Target Market Selection
• Market-Step Product Plan
• Business Startup Checklist
• Non-Disclosure Agreement

Includes Free Patent Forms:
• Utility Patent Application Transmittal SB/05
• Fee Transmittal SB/17
• Declaration for Utility or Design Patent Application SB/01
• Design Patent Application Transmittal SB/18
• Provisional Application for Patent Cover Sheet SB/16