See all the photos from this event.

Meet Carrie Jeske on Friday, April 15th at 7:45am in Maryville, MO. Venture Pitch Program. Carrie shares insider secrets to get ideas on the As Seen on TV shelf space at Walmart and everywhere.

Carrie Jeske is a direct licensee in the Direct Response industry, paying full inventor royalties, through Will It Launch.  No patent is required. You just need a simple hand-made prototype to explain the unique benefits and problem solved by your invention. Market ready products launch at lightning speed.  Products in stores now are Get Up And Go Cain, RotoClipper, and My Fun Fish.

Carrie’s connections in other distribution channels is vast. Through Inventive Ideas, Carrie Jeske manages a team of licensing agents that work to secure distribution agreements and license filed patents.  Successful products include SportsShade Canopy Awning, The Perfect Party Chair and Attach-A-Vac.

Prepare in advance by reading Carrie Jeske’s new book, “Create New Products As Seen On TV” on Amazon.  Online reviews appreciated.

Carrie Jeske is active on these social networks:  FACEBOOK      LINKEDIN        YOUTUBE       TWITTER

Carrie Jeske Reviews New Product Ideas at NWMSU

Join Carrie Jeske Online

Every 1st Thursday from 7-9 pm

Inventing As A Team

The primary goals of this event are to:

•  Provide students the opportunity to present their ideas to members of the business community, including professionals, small business owners and seasoned investors.

•  Provide additional entrepreneurial resources to the community and increase their awareness of various aspects of entrepreneurship at Northwest.

•  Provide the community the opportunity to see what businesses are developing in the community and possibly provide future connections that can help all parties involved.

•  Provide help to individuals involved in all aspects of small business and entrepreneurship to make business connections. (These connections can range from investors connecting with entrepreneurs with an idea they wish to invest in to current small business owners connecting with professionals that can fulfill an important need or a new business idea.)

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By Carrie Jeske

Good inventors wanted.   Everyone has an idea, but few people have the skill and drive to actually make it happen.   Those who do, often get discouraged or disillusioned by how many products fail before the golden eye of the consumer twinkles and sparkles with positive results, that actually make money for those on the team with even a tiny percentage.     It truly does take a village and launching a product single handily is  impossible.  In today’s fast paced market, even with the benefit of the internet and direct sales channels.

I love the line in the movie when Jerry Maguire pleads, “HELP ME, HELP YOU”.

Sometimes, people just don’t realize the value of team work until they’ve tried to succeed alone.   They can’t see the chip on their own shoulder until someone brave points it out.  During a time they are actually willing to listen.

Are You A Battle Tested Inventor Entrepreneur?

Battle tested inventors know the disappointment of wasting money on travel expenses to the endless supply of cattle call retail events.  They promise success to inventors, but, more often, deliver free publicity to retailers and service providers.

Battle tested inventor entrepreneurs paid monthly retainers and fees to consultants, coaches and invention submission companies who rarely deliver on expectations. Instead, they’re long on spoon feeding hope of future royalties, in return for the purchase of another service or resource.

Battle tested inventor entrepreneurs know the pain of product returns, disappointing consumer feedback and market test failure, yet they find strength somewhere deep inside to soldier on.  Knowing the valuable lessons they’ve learn and investment in a Master’s Degree from the School of Hard Knocks is destined to pay off big.    These inventors, entrepreneurs, licensing agents and product scouts are willing to put in the time because they know with persistence, patience and time Lady Luck or Divine Providence will smile upon their efforts.   These are the relentless optimists that I’m calling to the team.

Help me, Help you!

Some inventors have even tasted the sweetness of early stage success by selling their product online.  Likewise, they have sells from trade shows and maybe even been awarded retail test rollouts and won awards.

Sadly, Only to find out the operational costs, vender shipping requirements, product liability expense and end result profits were not nearly as lucrative as they imagined.  They experienced firsthand, that with sales success comes an increased need for cash to buy inventory and less money to pocket as compensation.   Debt or Fund Raising become the only option and time becomes the enemy since public domain products face inevitable market competition when big money is a real potential.

The need for capital to sustain growth increases exponentially.  Few good sources are available to obtain the cash needed to thrive.

Inventors Wanted

Like Jerry, I pled with you, dear product inventor.  “Help me, Help You”.   Let me show you a better way of inventing.    Tuck away your fear of loss and surrender your individualism to the strength of great teamwork.   Connect with the best potential to develop, fund, and distribute your great inventions with the speed and excellence of an army of experts.

We’re waiting to review your invention and will provide you fast and specific feedback on the viability of your product for mass market distribution.   If my team agree’s to test your product for market viability, you receive a term sheet for a licensing agreement in 30-60 days with testing complete in under 120 days.    No one can promise consumers will buy your product, but we can promise that trustworthy and skilled experts will review your idea and make the most of it, with your involvement or your blessing, whichever makes the most dollars and cents.

Let’s get started.  Submit Your Product Here   or  learn from my blogs and videos.

Carrie Jeske

How Can I help?

www.InventiveIdeas.com    –   Free education and fee based licensing agent services.  Product Criteria:  Patent filed.  Products in any catagory or price point.    Must submit hand-made prototype and smartphone demo video at minimum.

www.WillitLaunch.com  –  Direct licensee for “As Seen On TV” catagory.  Product Criteria: No patent needed.  Physically small products that solve a mass market problem in a visually appealing way.   “As Seen On TV” catagory only.  Must submit hand-made prototype and smartphone demo video at minimum.  Higher the quality prototype and video, the easier and faster to test consumer responsiveness.

www.InventingWorkshop.com –  Non-profit 501c3.  Product Criteria:  IDEAS WELCOME.    Let’s talk every month here. We take word only submissions and anything from concept to market ready product submissions.  Teams of positive and creative people join forces to make money.   This is a fun and collaborative workshop, founded by a nonprofit company, for the public good of innovation.    Join a monthly workshop or start one of our local groups in your town.

(c) 2013 Jeske.   Request reprint rights in writing at Info [@] InventiveIdeas.com

(c) 2016 Updated September.

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This is a great time for innovation so capitalize on the trends and invent smart.

There is much opportunity for independent inventors from TV shows to invention contests and more.  The main concern for inventors, is in this public and social environment.  

There are a lot of resources available, but putting your inventions online can usher in unnecessary competition.  

If you go that route, be prepared to make decisions quickly and full court press your momentum.   Submitting products online telegraphs problems that consumers may be responsive to and gives “deeper pocketed” competitors an advantage in the speed to market game.

  Understanding the pros’ and cons can help inventors make wise decisions and capitalize on this excellent time for innovation.

In the inventor community, companies and experts often position themselves as one stop shops, when the core competency is actually far more finely tuned.  

Here’s my assessment of some of the current players and how they can help your quest to see your product on retail shelves.

United Inventor Association (UIA)

The United Inventors (UIA) is a non-profit inventor group aimed at helping independent inventors.   To me, the best part of the UIA is found in the inventor clubs located around the country.  

These groups are made up of a combination of service providers, entrepreneurs, inventors and positive people wanting to add value.   

The current president is John Calvert, formerly with the USPTO.   I interviewed John in 2013 and reconnected again just a few months ago.   He’s a sharp man with much value to add so I’m excited to see where he takes the organization. 

Edison Nation

Working with Edison Nation can be a good choice if you have a concept that does not meet the 7 criteria for successful ASOTV products. 

  They have a strong presence in many industries and would be a great partner, in you need help developing and licensing a non-ASOTV item at concept stage.

The first time I met the companies CEO, Louis Foreman, was in 2013 at the USPTO Independent Inventor Conference.    He advocates heavily for independent inventors legislatively.  I found him to be a compelling speaker and he seemed genuinely concerned about helping independent inventors.

Edison Nation charges submission fees and take approximately 50% percent of the inventor royalties.    I haven’t seen a win come from this group since the Gyro Bowl and I did hear through the grapevine their cash flow is tight.

So it will be interesting to see what changes emerge.

If your invention does meet the criteria for successful ASOTV products, why give up 1/2 the royalties?    There are many companies like Edison Nation that sub-license to my ASOTV back end partners.   After all, knowing who to turn to is worth something. 

Quirky

(update 1/1/16:  Quirky was found dead.  Excessive expenses with diminshed product revenues starved it to death.)

The folks at Quirky are strong product developers.  

Many of the inventors active in the Quirky community also serve on my product scout team so I review a lot of their items.

The company is unique in that it relies on a community of influencers to help select which submissions to move forward with.  You can learn a lot about the product development process simply by observing the submissions that succeed and fail.    

Since the core competency of Quirky is product development.

Many of the inventions are simply “better mousetraps” with trendy new designs. 

  Recently, the company has struggled to find functional value and to differentiate it’s products in a way that spark consumer spending interest.   

Where Quirky has been successful is in the electronics category.  

They have several winners in this market segment so my Q insiders say that business segment will remain in tact.

Even as change is in the wind for the other product categories.

Private equity partners have brought in GE and Mattel as partner companies.

  I’m told the company will return to it’s product development roots and be more willing to license it’s designs.

Rather than incur the cost and risks inherit in the operational challenges of taking a product onto the retail store shelves.

  I would surmise most of their new products will household and toy.

Quirky can be a great resource for non-ASOTV items that need development, but like Edison Nation, they take a percentage of royalties, so for ASOTV products.

It’s best to submit directly to WillitLaunch.com where the inventor receives full royalties with no split or submission fees.

Related: 

How the invention factory at Quirky almost imagined its way out of business

Shark Tank

Shark Tank is a popular reality show that is a buzzing machine of entrepreneurial and inventor education.   I just love free education!    There are many online radio shows and blogs dedicated to detailed analysis and play by play of the Shark Tank drama.    

Recently, I met Barbara Corcoran at the Park University’s Xerox Global Business Lecture series.  She said many of the deals that get made on the show, never materialize during the due diligence phase.    She elaborated on the behind the scenes saga that now is becoming the Beyond The Tank series.    

Most inventors will spend time and travel expense to audition and not be selected.

  For those that are, a few will (out of pride or promotion) walk away from the opportunity of a life time.  For others, their dreams will become reality and their products and services will sell millions.   

The popularity of Shark Tank has sparked an increase in innovation and the shows investors do have the ability to produce product and grow company revenue, in very short order.    

My Caution!

My caution is, don’t pin your dreams on Shark Tank as your only solution.  Contact retail buyers and work to license your intellectual property before going on the show.

  If you do get a deal, guard yourself against the sales spike by controlling your expenses during the feeding frenzy and save profits, to be re-invested in future inventory.    Don’t expect money in your own pocket for a while.

My insiders tell me the Sharks often encourage companies to bring on debt, since future funding is often needed and the equity pie is already nearly 1/2.

  This is a concern for me because it reduces the financial risk of the Shark, but puts the inventor at higher financial risk.

  Debt is a strategy I strongly advise against, in almost every instance.

Good Books

The Inventor’s Bible 

by Ronald Louis Docie Sr.

This book is an easy read and helps inventors with simple ideas.

Patent Pending in 24 Hours 

by Richard Stim and David Pressmen

David Pressman, a leader in intellectual property for independent inventors.  This book offers a comprehensive overview, along with detail in just the right places.

Simple Steps To Retail – See Your Idea “As Seen On TV” by Carrie Jeske

Forgive the shameless plug, but I’ve been gaining experience to write this book since 2013.

  For a sneak peak, read my blogs or check our social networks for the coming launch.

Inventive Ideas, Inc.

Inventive Ideas got it’s start by launching and licensing it’s own products in 2000 and expanding it’s reach through volunteer service in the inventor community. 

The company develops, trains and supports a team of product scouts and licensing agents, located around the globe.  Inventive Ideas set’s up Open Innovation platforms to manufacture/distributors looking for products and offers Licensing Agent services to inventors who have a patent filed.    

Pam Woods, VP of Licensing says, “We can’t guarantee we’ll get you a licensing agreement, but we’ll give your product it’s best shot at success.”

Inventive agents collaborates with product owners to build a top 25 hit list, then works that list over a 3 month term gathering feedback. Gaining interest and securing well written licensing agreements.    

Considering time, their most valuable resource, the team is highly selective about which products and inventors to work with.

  Working with only a few clients a year, licensing success rate is very high.

Crowdfunding

My team of product scouts, along with every other company, service provider and merry band of inventor and entrepreneurial resource are all on the Crowdfunding bandwagon. 

  I’m told the next big wave is called “Equity Crowdfunding”.

Where instead of product sales you offer a piece of the company pie.   

I have a friend who raised almost $60,000 on a kids toy and has built the business to almost 1 million dollars from his garage, with the kids doing order fulfillment.  

Now that’s a success story.    

Don’t forget.  

It’s a crowded platform now so you have to market your campaign well and if successful.

Quickly sort through service providers verses licensee partners.    If you’re item does well, you’ll need to move fast to net a profit.    Decided between “Make and Sell” and “Licensing” as quickly as possible and go for it.  Your on the public domain so competitors will emerge faster than you might think.

Fiverr & Elance

What a wonderful time to find service providers!   There are so many low cost resources available that the start-up costs of inventing can remain very low.  

Graphic design, sell sheets, demo videos, CAD drawings and freelancers are all willing to work on your project at a fraction of what it used to cost.     

Popular sites like Elance and Fiverr are hot beds of opportunity.  

  I have not used Elance but I use Fiverr all the time.    I find it’s best to go with the more highly rated service providers.  

Also, be careful not to stray outside the box of what they offer.   Many have services or “gigs” that are very specific for only $5. 

Anything outside that box costs more.    Start with simple requests within the $5 simple range till you get comfortable with the system and the people. 

  I have my own stable of go to experts now that provide great work, in a short time frame, without much expense.  

To me, that’s a match made in heaven.    

Make your designs look so real that companies can’t wait to buy and manufacture your ideas and inventions.

3-D printing

Making a prototype has never been easier.  There are many good product developers on Linkedin.  Join a group and start asking questions.  

If you’re looking for 3D printing services near you, here’s a webpage that might help.    Also, many public libraries are adding 3D printing to their list of services.    

These machines are becoming so prevalent and so cost effective that I anticipate a major surge in innovation in every category.  

However, 3D printers are especially helpful in the ASOTV distribution channel.

They allow us to to produce well made prototypes that make the market viability testing process more successful.

As Seen on TV

The fastest, least expensive way an inventor can make money on an idea.   It’a category, not a company.   The red and white logo is public domain but don’t use it because it makes insiders think your product was tested and failed.  

That is the kiss of death for a licensing agreement in this category.

There are no submission fees and we pay full inventor royalties!    We review hand made mock-up prototypes, finished goods and imports.  

Just send a link to a demo video or website with the Product Name listed in the Subject line.    Our email date and time stamps your submission.    

We’ll review the idea in a few days and reply with specific feedback.  

Term sheets to test market viability can be offered in under 30 days with tests completed in under 120 days or less.  

To find out more, watch my video, Sell Your Invention With No Patent and a Simple Prototype.

In closing, however you choose to move forward, I wish you all the best.

  This is a great time for innovation.  

Keep your costs low, choose the right partners and sprinkle a bit of pixy dust for luck along the way.

See you on the shelves,

Carrie Jeske

© 2015 Jeske.    Do not copy.   For reprint rights contact Carrie Jeske directly.

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Count The Cost of submitting products online…

We charge no fees and are more responsive.  .Carrie Jeske and Inventive Ideas do not charge inventors.    We are paid only on successfully selling products.    Our investors fund 100% of the process and control the distribution channel all the way to the retail store shelves.  They are the largest in the business.  The same folks that popular shows end up working with, without the cost.  The ASOTV industry is really quite small and a pre-existing relationship with the right people makes all the difference.

We are FAST and RESPONSIVE with your inventions, providing feedback with each product submission.      All I ask for is First Right of Refusal.  Give me 1 week to evaluate your invention and if I can’t help, you’re free to “Spray and Pray” it all over town if you want to.   Just give me the first shot before you give money you may not need to.    I have a lot of helpful educational info posted on this site and am accessible.

What’s worse, is the time you spend waiting for a response.  Here is a short list of other popular options for TV inventions and the fees they require.

DRTV Product Summit hosted by InventionHome

The broker’s fee is 20% of any gross revenue received for a license agreement or 5% of wholesale net revenue.

Edison Nation

A non-refundable fee paid to Edison Nation to defray the costs of evaluating an Innovation.   Each idea costs just $25 to submit. Insiders submit ideas for $20 each with the ability to submit them into other searches for free.

Split the licensing royalties 50/50 with you on the products selected.

Shark Tank

Inventors are required to enter into an agreement with Finnmax, the show’s producer, that gives Finnmax the option either to receive a 2 percent royalty on the operating profits of the company or take a 5 percent equity stake.

Inventive Ideas

• No submission fees.
• No royalty splits.
• Free inventor education.
• Fast and Responsive Feedback.

What can Inventive Ideas do for you? 

Find out more.

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The opportunity available to inventors now, through TV distribution, is the fastest, least expensive way to earn money on a product innovation.

You should mention this opportunity to your friends and family.  It’s amazing how many good ideas are out there, but often, people just don’t know where to start.  You do.  Very powerful.

Someone you know may have the winning invention.   You can help them and earn money yourself, in several ways:

1)      As joint inventor.  If their concept needs work that you add value to, agree to be joint inventors and split royalties 50/50%.

2)      As a licensing agent.   You earn 25% of their royalties for connecting them to me and my partners.    It’s fair, they wouldn’t find me with out you.

3)      As a product scout.   You earn ¼ % royalty when you find market ready products, already selling in limited distribution.    What a blessing you can be to an inventor that’s taken their product into early stage sales.

Submit A Product

Learn More

How To Earn $330,000 Inventing Products for TV – VIDEO

Characteristics of Successful Products – BLOG

8 Kinds of Prototypes and When To Use Them – BLOG

Protect Your Ideas with The Inventor Notebook – BLOG

Before You Submit – BLOG

How To Submit My Product – BLOG

What Happens After I Submit My Product? – BLOG

Register here for FREE Webinars

TV Products

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ASOTV Inventing

ASOTV Inventing Techniques – Mix & Match.    I love watching products succeed  and finding new ASOTV Inventing techniques to share.  Check back often.

It’s a strategy taught in creativity classes to help people open up their minds to new possibilities.

When using it to invent clever new products for As Seen on TV (ASOTV), it’s brilliant and could be worth millions.

Consider these successes.

WINDSHEILD WONDER –  

It’s basically a Shammy on a Stick.     It solves a problem of cleaning the windshield crevas and wala… millions.

PILLOW PETS –

a Pillow mixed with a Stuffed Animal.    Providing comfort and security for little ones…. in the millions.

STORAGE CUTTER –

There are so many names for this product it’s hard to keep up with.   Basically matching a Storage Container matched with a Knife…. millions sold.

So when you’re inventing.  Start looking around at the everyday problems that plague humanity and mix and match a couple solutions into one great invention.

My goal is to build a relationship with you over time.   I’ll never ask you for money and will encourage you and support you on our quest for a million dollar idea.  If I can’t help, I’ll let you know quickly and introduce you to others if I’m able. My investor partners have a huge appitite for great products and world-wide distribution.  

Let’s connect and help each other be successful, having integrity and good character along the way.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS  

SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS HERE

The post ASOTV Inventing Technique – Mix and Match appeared first on Inventive Ideas, LLC.

Creative Inventors Pitch Products.

Inventors Center of KC members meeting, webcast LIVE from the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, October 2012.

Low Cost / High Return Inventing Steps

1)  Watch this video to learn how to earn up to $100,000 per product, as a product scout, while you sharpen your skills in our category. 

http://www.willitlaunch.com/how-to-make-330000-inventing-for-tv/

2)  For even more help read blogs and watch links: 

http://www.willitlaunch.com/inventors-corner/

3)  Also here’s some NEXT Steps if you want to work on licensing outside ASOTV.

http://inventiveideas.com/when-as-seen-on-tv-wont-fly/

4)  Also here’s some of my agents available for hire, to make connections for you.

http://inventiveideas.com/licensing/

5) So join me on social networks and keep learning and helping others.

FACEBOOK      LINKEDIN        YOUTUBE       TWITTER

Just takes 1 winner to earn millions.

See you on the shelves,

Carrie Jeske

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