InventorSpot

Our Guest Blogger, Barbara Carey, is the inventor of Hairgami® and dittieTM feminine protection brand, as well as over 100 other products. Barbara is also the author of "The Carey Formula: Your Ideas Are Worth Millions." For more information about Barbara and "The Carey Formula" check out www.CareyFormula.com

Barbara believes there are some simple secrets to success as an inventor and entrepreneur that she wanted to share with the readers of AmericanInventorSpot.com.

Here's her article:

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1. Surround yourself with people who can do the things you can't...

Doing everything and being everything to everyone can become exhausting. Use the people around you for creativity and inspiration. The saying, "Two heads are better than one" is often the best solution to staying positive and creative. The smartest people know their weaknesses and surround themselves with those who complement their abilities.

2. Know your customers intimately...

Do as much research as possible on your target market. Whether you conduct focus groups, send out surveys or take polls - go the extra mile to get to know who's buying so you know to whom to sell. Sometimes the best way to get to know your customer is to give them a call. With my products, I routinely call those who have ordered my products - to get feedback on the product, know how my customer service representatives treated him or her, and to get to know why that person purchased my product. This kind of information can be invaluable, and oftentimes gives you great insight into how best to sell your product.

3. Build Relationships...

Don't just build a list of contacts, build relationships. Not only is the relationship with your consumer market important, so is the relationship with your manufacturer. Do what you say you're going to do, when you say you are going to do it. Follow up and be thorough. They won't know what you want unless you're specific. The better relationship you have with your manufacturer, the easier and quicker things get done - which saves time and money your two most important assets.

4. Keep it Simple...

Don't get ahead of yourself, you will get overwhelmed. Take one step at a time and keep it simple. Start with a simple plan and add to it as you're ready. The best ideas are the simplest ideas. They are oftentimes the best sellers, the cheapest to produce, and the quickest to the market. As individual inventors "going up against the big guys" simplicity and quick response times can give you the edge you need.

Barbara Carey
www.CareyFormula.com
Guest Blogger
AmericanInventorSpot.com