Impressum, AGB's & Disclaimer » Copyright and bio p

Most individual innovators ?inventors Mikko Rantanen Jersey , authors, software developers, artists, etc. -- assume there is a logical, sequential process involved in getting their products to market. So, most of their initial activities usually focus on getting the invention from the brain to the drawing board to prototype.

Unfortunately Gabriel Landeskog Jersey , once the prototype is complete, a very large percentage of inventors 聯hit the wall?and are stymied by how to market their product.

This situation doesn聮t need to happen! In fact, many marketing steps can ?and should ?be taken concurrently, or even prior to, the product taking shape and form.

So, where should you start?

Here are 5 key steps that will help you build a strong foundation for marketing:

n networking early.

Well-known Minnesota businessman and author Nathan MacKinnon Jersey , Harvey McKay, says it all in the title of his networking book: Dig Your Well Before You Need It. If you have not cultivated key contacts in your area of expertise by the time your product is ready to market, you will waste precious months, even years, knocking on doors that probably would have swung open to you if you had developed key relationships while working on perfecting your invention.

uct initial market research before you approach the drawing board.

While some innovations don聮t seem to make any sense at all, most are designed to solve some sort of problem. As the innnovator Colorado Avalanche Jersey , your problem is to be sure that there are enough other people who are seeking your solution. If there are not enough potential consumers, do you really want to spend your time and money for things like prototypes and patents or editors and copyrights? So, head for the library or retail outlets or any other place that will give you a sense (a) if something similar already exists or (b) if retail buyers or customers are looking for what you can create.

ect your product as soon as it is feasible to do so.

Just recently I talked with an inventor who had some interest in coaching. What I soon discovered was that a major magazine was about to feature his invention in depth (Great for marketing, right?), but he had not yet secured a patent! At the end of our conversation, I referred him to a patent attorney and suggested we discuss coaching at a later time. Of course Patrick Kane Jersey , not every product carries a patent, copyright or trademark, but if your idea has strong market potential, as this man聮s did, you will want to be sure that you have retained an intellectual property attorney and that all of your legal protections are in place.

over a wide variety of vendor resources.

While innovation can be a lonely process, it聮s not something you can do successfully by yourself. As soon as your idea takes shape in your mind is the time to connect with prototype providers Corey Crawford Jersey , raw materials vendors, manufacturers, publishers, art dealers, marketing consultants, a coach Jonathan Toews Jersey , accountants, and other professionals you will need along the way. If you don聮t know anyone in these fields, start asking questions and attending meetings of local professional groups, the Small Business Administration and tradeshows. Then, start talking to the vendors you meet, so when your product is ready Duncan Keith Jersey , you will already have these key relationships in place.

ning to self-market? Educate yourself now, reserve your domain name and find ways to connect with your potential market.

We聮ve all heard the stories about internet marketers who make $500,000 聯overnight? While some may actually happen that way, there is almost always a 聯story behind the story?in these situations. Usually, you will find that the Internet entrepreneur has spent months or years learning the secrets of Internet copywriting; works with a technical assistant to produce the marketing website; supports the website with product 聯pre-launch?communications; and has a loyal following of 1,000 or more customers already in place. So Chicago Blackhawks Jersey , what appears to be an 聯overnight success story?is frequently the culmination of becoming computer and Internet savvy over a long period of time. In short, just as with networking, you need to 聯dig your internet well before you need it? and the time to start digging is while you are creating your product.

?2005-2006. All rights reserved. Impact Coaching International?

Copyright and bio paragraph must be included when reproducing this article.

Rosemary Hauschild is an innovation and creativity coach serving individuals developing intellectual property. Impact Coaching International?b> offers a year-long program showing creative individuals how to protect, promote and profit from their innovative ideas in less time and with more profits. Individual coaching services are also available. To learn more about how to protect and promote your intellectual property, you are invited to subscribe to the free e-zine, Creations Of The Mind? by sending an email to subscribe@ with the following phrase in the subject line of your e-mail: subscribe creations list. To contact Rosemary directly Justin Faulk Jersey , please email rosemary@ .