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If you’ve ever had an invention idea, you’ve probably thought:
“This could be something…”
Then almost immediately:
Is this already out there?
Do I need a patent?
Would anyone actually buy this?
What do I even do next?
I recently sat down with intellectual property attorney Matthew Asbell, and we got into these exact questions.
Not the surface-level answers.
The real ones.
Because after 20+ years working with inventors, I can tell you this:
Most inventors don’t fail because they lack ideas.
They fail because they move on emotion before direction.
You’re Probably Already an Inventor
Most people don’t see themselves that way.
But here’s the truth:
You don’t become an inventor in a classroom.
You become an inventor by noticing problems.
Throughout your day, you’re constantly thinking:
Why does this work like this?
Why is this so annoying?
There has to be a better way…
That’s where invention starts.
The difference is simple:
Inventors capture the idea.
They write it down.
They record it.
They take it seriously.
→ Want help turning your idea into something real?
I work with inventors every day to evaluate, protect, and move ideas forward.
You can learn more or connect with me at InventorCoach.com
The First Mistake: Falling in Love Too Fast
This is where things go sideways.
Someone says:
“I searched online… I don’t see anything like it.”
But what they really did:
A quick Google search
A few clicks
Maybe walked through a store aisle
That’s not research.
That’s hope.
And once emotion kicks in, people start spending money without clarity.
Shift this mindset immediately:
From excitement → to evaluation
Ask:
Does this already exist?
What makes mine different?
Does that difference actually matter?
Is there a real market?
What path am I even trying to take?
Here’s how Matthew put it when we were talking about search:
“People are ultra confident they’ve searched… but they didn’t search the right thing, the right breadth, or the right places.”
This is a business decision. Not just a creative one.
Start With a Better Search
Before anything else, slow down.
Do this right:
Use descriptive search terms
Look at images, not just links
Check stores where your product would live
Compare competing products
Identify gaps
Your goal is NOT to prove it doesn’t exist.
Your goal is to understand where it fits.
That’s what gives you direction.
→ Not sure how to evaluate your idea properly?
Inside the Inventor Smart Community, you can see how other inventors are researching, validating, and moving forward.
Join here: app.inventorsmart.com
The Real Question Isn’t “Is It Cool?”
It’s “Is There a Window of Opportunity?”
This is a big shift.
You might have something clever.
But is it big enough?
When I created one of my products, I initially thought it solved a small problem.
Then I expanded the use case:
Bread
Cereal
Freezer items
Pantry goods
Pet food
Instead of asking:
“Who needs this specific thing?”
I asked:
“Who has a kitchen?”
That changed everything.
You Don’t Need Certainty
You Need Better Questions
No one can guarantee your idea will succeed.
But you can get clarity fast.
Ask:
Who is the buyer?
What problem am I solving?
What are people using now?
Why would they switch?
How big is the opportunity?
Clarity creates momentum.
Patents, in Plain English
Let’s simplify this:
Utility patent → protects how something works
Design patent → protects how something looks
Provisional patent → gives you “patent pending” while you explore
But here’s the part most people miss:
There is no universal playbook.
Different countries = different rules.
And this is where Matthew made a critical point:
“In many places outside the U.S., if you disclose your invention before filing, you’re done. You can’t get a patent at all.”
Don’t assume. Don’t guess. Get guidance.
→ Need help figuring out if your idea is protectable?
I can walk you through the process and connect you with the right professionals.
Start here: InventorCoach.com
Patents Aren’t the Whole Strategy
A lot of inventors think:
“If I don’t get a patent, I’m done.”
Not true.
You may still build value through:
Branding (trademarks)
Positioning
Marketing
Execution
Sometimes the real asset is the brand — not just the invention.
Why Intellectual Property Still Matters
Even with all the debate around patents:
Having protection gives you leverage.
Without it → anyone can copy you
With it → you have options
Stronger licensing conversations
Ability to enforce your rights
Increased value
It’s not perfect.
But it matters.
Licensing vs. Manufacturing
A lot of inventors say:
“I just want to license it.”
Licensing can be great.
But it’s not easy.
Timing matters
Fit matters
Persistence matters
And sometimes… the deal doesn’t happen right away.
On the flip side:
Many inventors assume manufacturing is too expensive.
And they’ve never actually checked.
Don’t decide based on assumptions.
Decide based on real numbers.
Get quotes.
Understand costs.
Know your options.
→ Want help deciding between licensing or building your own product?
This is something I help inventors navigate all the time.
Learn more: InventorCoach.com
Why Inventors Get Stuck
It’s not lack of ideas.
It’s this:
They try to jump too far ahead.
They think they need everything figured out.
You don’t.
You just need the next step.
That might be:
Documenting your idea
Doing a real search
Talking to the right expert
Getting a prototype quote
Testing the market
Progress comes from steps — not leaps.
The Mindset That Changes Everything
Instead of:
“This is going to be huge.”
Start with:
“Let me understand what I have.”
“Let me see where it fits.”
“Let me protect what makes sense.”
“Let me make smart decisions.”
Less hype. More clarity.
That’s how real inventions move forward.
If You’re Sitting on an Idea Right Now
Start here:
Capture it
Define the problem
Search thoroughly
Identify what’s different
Evaluate the market
Protect yourself before oversharing
Get real numbers
Choose your path based on facts
Final Thought
Don’t let a good idea sit still because you didn’t know where to start.
You don’t need all the answers.
You just need the right first step.
Ready to Take That Step?
Learn more: InventorCoach.com
Join the community: app.inventorsmart.com
Connect with me directly and let’s talk through your idea
About the Author
Brian Fried, known as The Inventor Coach, holds 15 patents and has spent over 20 years coaching thousands of inventors from idea to market. He is the founder of the National Inventor Club with 15,000 members, creator of the Inventor Smart Community app, and author of three books on invention commercialization.
His products have appeared on QVC and landed in major retailers nationwide. Brian is a regular speaker at USPTO events and has testified before Congress on behalf of inventors. He helps people at every stage, from a first idea to a fully licensed product.
Learn more at InventorCoach.com
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