Will It Sell?: How to Determine If Your Invention Is Profitably Marketable (Before Wasting Money on a Patent)

I am a patent agent. I am licensed by the US Patent and Trademark Office to represent clients as they apply for a patent. I recommnend this book to all my prospective clients, even though, after reading it, many decide not to hire my services. Why would I recommend a book that costs me business? Because it is in the best interest of my clients. Mr. White is a crusty old marketing dude who is a straight shooter and does not care if he hurts your (the inventor's) feelings. Too often independent inventors, fall in love with their idea or invention and cannot see its shortcomings or flaws. Too many inventors run out and pay $5,000+ for a patent only to find later that they cannot sell either the patent nor the product. The author holds a mirror up for the inventor to determine the chances his/her product will have in the marketplace BEFORE they spend a few thousand dollars on a patent application. Just as every new parent thinks that their baby is the prettiest, and smartest in the world, every inventor seems to think that their invention is the best thing since indoor plumbing. This trap of not being able to evaluate your invention objectively, can cost you big money. Mr. White can save you thousands of dollars on a so-so invention so you will have the money available to pursue that really great idea that is just around the corner.

As an information consultant to industry and the government during the 1980's, it wasn't until 1998 when James White noticed an ad in the Lansing, Michigan newspaper about an inventors club. He visited it a few times and decided to join. His outspoken advice led to a club presentation, and it was after the meeting he decided it was time to put this valuable information down in book form. 'The presentation was declared a success. But it was quickly determined that the speech, which just outlined the principles for determining marketability and getting to the market, had almost no apparent effect on the counter productive behaviors of most of the club members. In the middle of this book you will find a quote from Doug Tackens, president of a household manufacturing firm with over 50 years of invention experience, which defines marketing as follows: Marketing: Is getting the right product To the right people At the right price Through the right distribution channels By the right promotion. This book gets you into the heart of the matters of successful invention from the very beginning. White doesn't mince any words on what he feels is the right route to inventing a successful product. There are already plenty of books about marketing your product, this book is about the product itself. The author urges the reader to stick with something they already know and keep it small (toaster sized). Each step of the way, White has a unique evaluation system in place that lets you rate your progress. The book has a gold mine of references for those willing to do their homework - and let's face it, if you are not willing, you have no business trying to invent something! There are plenty of website addresses, many of which are now broken links due to the age of the book. In spite of that fact, White has some good advice - "If you don't use the Internet, you'll almost always find yourself eating dust these days." I recommend this for any would-be innovator/inventor. It may not be the easiest book for someone to comprehend, so I suggest you take your time reading and absorbing the contents a few hours at a time. Make sure to highlight and tag the pages that benefit you the most. Also, note that there is some very specific technical information, such as what kind of computer to buy and what kind of ISP to get, that is obviously out of date. I think the value of the overall wisdom conveyed overrides this obviously archaic technical advice.

This book convinced me that the idea I had wasn't profitably marketable. It's very blunt and to-the-point. He has a lot of tips and things to think about. I'm glad I went through the book before I wasted time and money. On to the next idea....

"Will It Sell?" is deap reading for the "idea person" who thought that there was a pot of gold waiting at the end of the "good idea rainbow." James E. White, author, tells you like it is--he doesn't mince words. He digs out every fact and every reason why your inventive idea can "fail," but he hopes that you will be the one-in-one-hundred-inventors whose invention won't fail.. He will be your mentor. When Jim explains a fact and each step to follow, you get the feeling that he is looking over your shoulder, correcting and helping you in your every move. "This is the book." If you think reading it is tough, then don't become an inventor. He'll tell you "how to get there," with every reference on each of the 300 pages. And he shows, like no other author, that if you fail on any one stage, don't even think about averaging-out the stages of invention to Pass. He tells the truth-- "No one said it would be easy." -- Who am I to tell you about "Will It Sell?" -- only the President of the Inventors Association of St. Louis, a large inventors' helping organization founded in 1984, that augmented in 1990 the United Inventors Association of the USA - which has over 3000 members. That's who! BUY THE BOOK - "WILL IT SELL"

Will It Sell? was specifically written for anyone considering bringing their invention to market. A key consideration in marketing a new idea or product is to determine its profitability, especially before investing capital on a patent. James White's practical, "reader friendly" informational manual will provide the non-specialist general reader with inexpensive techniques and practical steps to take in assessing whether or not their invention will be commercially viable. Fundamental issues are clearly addressed such as what a patentable invention is, the step for "idea development" and "product development"; advertising claims, getting professional help, even doing your own patent search. Dozens of Internet resources are provided with instructions for how best to utilize them. If you have an idea or an invention that you want to make money with, begin by a carefully reading of James White's Will It Sell?.