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THE ONLINE INVENTOR – February 2008 issue

Editor: Paul Niemann

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Dear Inventor –

Welcome to another issue of our humble little newsletter that could. In Monday’s message, I mentioned 3 things that I’m going to offer to inventors, and here are the details of each:

1. Personalized phone consultations with me: This is where you can get answers to some of your toughest questions and get good advice. This is FREE to customers who have purchased a web page on MarketLaunchers.com

2. Video of your invention for your web page: You supply the video, you buy a web page, and I will put it together for you and host it on the MarketLaunchers.com web site. Call me at 217-224-8194 for the details, including the extra cost of having the video added to your web page. Or e-mail me at niemann7@aol.com

3. A reduced rate for inventors who already have a web site and who want to get a web page on MarketLaunchers.com: This is a big one, and the offer expires on February 29. You can get a web page on MarketLaunchers.com for half price IF YOU ALREADY HAVE YOUR OWN WEB SITE. Send me your web address, and I will take care of the rest of it. I will also link your MarketLaunchers.com page to your existing site; it’s a good way to drive more traffic to your existing site. Call me for details at 217-224-8194, or e-mail me at niemann7@aol.com

In other news, if you wish to reach more than 2,000 inventors by advertising in our humble little newsletter, please e-mail me at niemann7@aol.com or call (217) 224-8194 for details. Thanks.

You can read past issues of THE ONLINE INVENTOR at http://www.marketlaunchers.com/archives.html

Now, on with this week’s issue …

Best Regards,

Paul Niemann

http://www.MarketLaunchers.com

800-337-5758

217-224-8194

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Never get into a pissing contest with a skunk” – politician whose name I cannot remember

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Article # 1: “All it takes is one if you hit their hot button” by Paul Niemann of MarketLaunchers.com

Article # 2: “Getting past the voicemail barrier” by Paul Niemann of MarketLaunchers.com

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Article # 1: “All it takes is one if you hit their hot button”
by Paul Niemann of MarketLaunchers.com

One of the hardest thing for an inventor to do is to make those phone calls to prospective licensees, even though it is absolutely necessary for you to do this.

ALL IT TAKES IS ONE !!!

Back in 1992 – 1993, I was working for an ad agency that created a new product, and my job was to sell it to sponsors in order to get it on the market. Boy, was it tough; I called on literally more than 100 companies … 110 to be exact. But I eventually found one that wanted the unique approach that our product offered, despite the fact that the other 109 companies either didn’t want to take a chance on our new product or didn’t appreciate its value.

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Long-time readers of this newsletter know how I'm always touting the benefits of attending a trade show in your industry. I’d like to introduce you to Ron Docie, who knows what it takes to license a good product. Ron will work with you to help you get your product to market – or help you cut your losses by finding out ASAP if there’s no market for your product.

Ron attends 3 of the largest trade shows in the country – The International Housewares Trade Show in Chicago ; The National Hardware Show in Las Vegas ; and The Automotive Aftermarket show in Las Vegas – talking with manufacturers and distributors on behalf of his inventor clients, and setting up potential royalty deals. Take advantage of Ron’s expertise and call him at (740) 594-5200 or e-mail him at docie@docie.com or visit his website at http://docie.com

Ask for a FREE sample Trade Show Report, and get more FREE information about Trade Shows.

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Last week I received a phone call from a fund-raising solicitor, and I usually turn down these people before they even get a chance to get through their sales pitch. The call was from my alma mater, the University of Kentucky , asking me for a donation. During my 4 years there, I had a favorite marketing professor named Jim Donelley.

As I was about to say “No” to the fundraising caller, she said probably the only thing that could have gotten me to say yes: “The funds that we’re raising go to support the Professor James Donelley Scholarship fund.”

So, naturally, being a fan of Professor Donelley, I said yes to the caller. I doubt if the caller even knows who Professor Donelley is, but that didn’t matter.

The point of all this is simple: Selling your invention to a company may require you to call a lot of companies, but all you need is one if you hit their hot button. The more companies you call, the luckier you get!

One other thing – if you’ll set aside a certain part of every week to make those phone calls, such as a Tuesday afternoon, it will eliminate some of the natural tendency to procrastinate.

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Paul Niemann runs MarketLaunchers.com, building web pages for inventors. Having your own web page allows you to show your invention to companies when you’re unable to present it to them in person. It serves as your “online brochure.” Plus, it can be seen by companies who search the internet for new products.

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Article # 2: “Getting past the voicemail barrier”
by Paul Niemann of MarketLaunchers.com

In a survey that asked people to name the 5 best inventions of all time as well as the 5 worst inventions of all time, one product makes both lists: Voicemail. Or, as I like to call it: VoiceJail.

For people like us who are launching new products onto the market, voicemail definitely seems like one of the worst inventions of all time. After the following message from one of our sponsors, I’ll give you a few suggestions that will make your phone efforts more productive …

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ADVERTISEMENT:

“Value of Trade Show Representation,”

by Docie Marketing ™

Here is what we typically achieve for clients whom we represent at major National and International Trade Shows. All this without necessarily revealing our client’s invention to anyone at the show:

· Learn about not-yet-seen by the public, new products in your product category

· Find products that are complimentary and/or completive to your invention, and the companies who sell them

· Identify companies that manufacturer and market products that fit the category of your invention

· Learn about which of these companies are interested in considering outside inventions

· Discover the company's track record for paying and honoring independent inventors

· Learn the company's invention submission procedure and initiate contact with the right decision-maker

· Learn the industry's interest in your invention – when you have appropriate protection to do so.

· Learn about the market, market trends, and sales potential for your product, and/or its category

· Discover red flags or other obstacles that may negate any need to proceed further

· Create a report for inventor detailing all companies contacted, and state of the industry

· Recommendations for next steps and potential strategies.

There’s still time to sign up now for the 2008 International Housewares Trade Show, in March.

Contact Ron Docie directly at docie@docie.com or phone 740-594-5200, and request FREE Sample Trade Show Report and FREE information about Trade Shows."

Ronald L. Docie, Sr.
President
Docie Invention Services*
73 Maplewood Dr.
Athens , OH 45701
USA

(740) 594-5200
http://docie.com

*Includes Hopewell Cooperative Inc. dba
Docie Marketing and/or Docie Development LLC

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First of all, let’s figure out what your purpose is when you leave a voicemail message. Is it to make a sale? No. The only purpose is to get him to return your call; otherwise you will find yourself making numerous repeat calls to his voicemail box.

When you leave a message, leave him only enough information to make him want to find out more info. The only way to find out more info is to return your call. For example, once you get the name of the person and are put through to his voicemail, you say something like:

“Mr. Jones, this is Paul Niemann, and I’m the person who created the instant oven-cleaning product known as the WidgetMaster 8000. My research has shown that it would be a good addition to your product line of kitchen products, so please give me a call at your convenience and I will give you the details. My number is 217-555-1234.”

Let his sense of curiosity work in your favor.

What not to say: Avoid making a claim that sounds too good to be true, such as “I’ve created the next Google.” Even if it is true, most people won’t believe you. Also, avoid rambling on about your new product. Short and sweet is better than a long essay. Remember, it’s very easy to delete voicemail messages.

Finally, do leave him your phone number and spell out the number s-l-o-w-l-y so he can write it down.

How many times should you leave a voicemail message?

Just once or twice; any more than that is a nuisance to him and could make him think you are a pest. That would ruin your chances once you finally get through to him, or it could cause him to screen your calls. When you continue to get his voicemail each time, just hang up and try again later.

If you call at the same time every day and all you get is his voicemail message, then try calling him at a different time of day. If you get screened out by his secretary, then call him before 8:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. when the secretary isn’t there. Also, sending e-mail is a good way to make that first contact when calling doesn’t get you anywhere.

One other thing to keep in mind is that he probably receives 20 – 30 phone calls a day, so just because he doesn’t return your message, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s not interested.

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