You have a great idea. You see yourself making millions. A professional patent search reveals there is no prior art standing in your way. You have a working prototype. You file for a patent, excited that you’re officially “patent pending.”
Now it’s time to start marketing, but you’re seized with that deer-in-headlights feeling. You realize you’re an idea person, not a salesperson.
What has been an exciting adventure turns scary. You feel unable or unprepared to contact large corporations.
To be a successful inventor, you need to access your inner salesperson.
When it comes to your invention, no one can be a better salesperson for it than you. You know why you needed it. You know why you figured out a better way of doing something and were inspired to create. Your passion for your product makes you the perfect salesperson for it.
When we started on our inventive journey with Ghostline – poster board with faint grid lines – our roles were delineated. Barb was the natural salesperson. She felt comfortable and excited about approaching and talking to people.
I was mortified at the thought of making a sales call. When we were first selling our product, I would drive and Barb would pitch Ghostline to potential clients. That approach worked just fine until a distributor asked us to participate in a tradeshow for customers in a seven-state area.
We were thrilled at the opportunity. Barb assumed she would carry the load of visiting with potential customers at our booth. We were surprised when my inner salesperson emerged.
When the first customers walked in the door, Barb was stunned to see me call people over to explain the advantages of Ghostline.
Barb just stood back and smiled when she saw me, the non-sales sister, turn into a virtual carnival barker. Neither of us knew I had it in me.
If I, one of the formerly shyest people in the world, could transform, so can you.
When Barb asked me what happened, I said, “I couldn’t help myself. When I saw all those people coming in the door, I just couldn’t wait to show them Ghostline and tell them about it.”
The lesson: you can do it yourself, better than anyone else. And you save yourself a ton of money – you don’t pay agents to represent you.
So, what are you waiting for?
Sisters Mary Russell Sarao and Barbara Russell Pitts are co-authors of “Inventing on a Shoestring Budget.” Contact them at www.asktheinventors.com
