Almost everyone these days has an idea for an invention. And after hearing some of these invention ideas myself, they should just remain ideas. Most are just terrible at best and serve no need. Even most of the inventions on that TV show American Inventor were just downright terrible.

The other 2% of people have a decent idea, but have no idea on how or where to start. Most people instantly start thinking “I need to patent my idea!”. Forget that. You can’t patent an idea just like you can’t patent a fart. Everyone has them and you can’t do anything with them.

The first thing is you need to do is be certain of your idea, and make sure it’s a good one. Inventions are not cheap and can cost you your life savings.

Anyways, if you have an idea for a product or invention here’s what you do…

First thing you need to do is set up some meetings with product development companies. This is where many would-be inventors find a pitfall. By product development companies, I am not talking about those invention submission companies you see advertising on TV. Those are all scams who prey upon dreamers. Here’s an article about them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4863987

Real product development companies don’t advertise on TV. They don’t have to. Just like a good doctor does not have to.

Set up a meeting with product development companies. They can assist you with your design and help you tell you what’s good/bad about it and make sure you’re not wasting anyones time. After that they can assist with building a real working prototype. That’s where their job ends for the most part. Some will assist with things and as package design and point you in the way of manufacturers, but not all.

Here’s a list of three reputable product design companies. Two are in California, one is is Georgia.

1. T2Design www.t2design.com

2 Design + Vision www.designplusvision.com/landing.php

3. Slingshot Product Development http://www.slingshotpdg.com/

Keep in mind none of these businesses services are cheap. They can charge anywhere from $8,000 and upwards. But they do what they say they are going to do and get your product designed and prototyped.