Invention Rating Help

[Bulletbobber]

I do not listen very well and things take a while to sink in but I have been told by 8 people now that I have a special invention.

There is an invention trade show in Pittsburg June 7th thru 10th with a booth running @ $1,595.
Here's a link to some of the competitors. www.inventionshow.com/02_news/
Here is mine www.bulletbobber.com

Would it make a big splash or drown at an Invention Trade Show?

[sarcastik]

Now im no expert, but my impression has always been that those shows are more geared toward inventions that appeal to the masses. Something that would change lives of americans across the boards. This is not always the case, but thats the ideal. Now I fished a little here and there so if what you have is effective as described then it is definitly a good invention, but just as if someone were to invent a table tennis paddle that measure the force used to hit the ball...it just doesn't appeal to a big enough majority to warrent that type of show and the expense to have a booth. I could be way off, but thats my 2.

[Bulletbobber]

Well for mass apeal - there 250 million fishing bobbers sold each year in the US. 60 some million fishermen.
I have the first and only one that has directional control.

Does that meat the criteria?

[jdoc]

Since it's such a targeted product I would look into going to a trade show for fishing rather than a general invention show. That way you can get more feedback than from 8 people (you should be looking for hundreds of responses before you go spend time developing a business around one product like this).

[NeeJam]

Since it's such a targeted product I would look into going to a trade show for fishing rather than a general invention show. That way you can get more feedback than from 8 people (you should be looking for hundreds of responses before you go spend time developing a business around one product like this).

I agree go to a fishing tradeshow with your product. Also, advertise your product in fishing magazines so it can promote your product and you could get a number of sales through that.

Also, offer your product to a large retail outlet as you could get them sold in those outlets and you could get a large amount of revenue from that.

[Bulletbobber]

Reatilers will not pick up any item until you grow demand.

With little money for advertising I'm very limited to options.
I thought an Invention Trade Show might be the winnig Lottery Ticket.

[BFTAaron]

Being a fisherman myself, I have purchased alot of bobbers that don't work that well, and as such there are alot of sportsman who would like to hear good reviews on it before they spend any money on it. One thing you have in your favoris that fishing is alot of trial and error, and many fisherman will TRY just about anything to improve thier odds. It might be a good idea to do some conventions, but it is important to target your market more. Outdoor sports shows, and conventions would be the best. Also submit it to Feild & Stream, and they could use it and write a review on it (as they alot of the time do). I am to asume that you already have a patent on it correct? If you don't I would get it before you advertise it alot, so you do not have other bigger businesses who can produce it very cheap, snatching the design and idea up and push you to the side.

I wish you luck on this, and look forward to seeing it on the market soon so I can try it out

[akula]

yeah man, yours is an interesting case

there are certain rules for how to deal, and not to deal with consumer products

you can do really well on this venture, or you can end up with boxes of this stuff still stuck in your garage 20 years down the track.

one of three determinants for what reality you're gonna end up with is your skill as an entrepreneur.

for example; to get people to notice you and to get breaks with retailers/advertisers (so you get free marketing/distribution), there are certain things you need to do, as part of your entrepreneurial skill set.

i see a lot of ventures come through these forums, yours is one of a few which might have potential - as such - you really gotta have a serious sit down with somebody responsible, get a mentor and follow the steps for building a great business.

Direct answer to your question: Would it make a big splash or drown at an Invention Trade Show?

The answer is, it'll probably drown unless you take steps to make it into a big splash. This means getting endorsements from influencers..a segment of people in the fishing community who set trends.

At any rate...you see, the answers are starting to get specific and complicated - so you gotta go and see someone professional.

The last thing you want is a never ending list of tips, hints and tricks. You really should sit down with someone (who knows what they're talking about) and ask how to build a business.

[Bulletbobber]

I do have a patent - a $16,000 patent - ouch!
I did 3 tackle shows and sold to 8 out of 10 fishermen but the price is cheap and I only made enough to cover my helpers - not show cost. I hope that getting some out there will bring returns in the future.

I would like some help but unless the help comes in the form of investor/partner I doubt if I'll get any. I do not know how to set up for investors and protect myself.

[BFTAaron]

Seeing as how they are not that much per bobber, maybe you could think of giving a sporting good store some (donate) and get your product out there. Alot of sporting good stores will accept deals like that, and that way they will be advertising your product, and you can see how well it sells in that situation. If you can push your product to larger places, like maybe your local Walk-Mart? They may be able to sell it there too. There are millions of ways to market your product, but in the case that you are spending thousands of dollars on conventions, maybe you can produce more of your product, and give them away as promotions. I know alot of hunter safty courses, and other gun club places hold once a year activities that raffle off items donated. If you included a slip of paper on contact information, and whatnot, you may be able to target the common consumer market better that way.