I Have a Great Idea – Now What?
Your Simple First Steps
You know that feeling when you’re fixing something and think “there’s got to be a better way to do this”?
Maybe you’re a mechanic who figured out a tool that would make your job easier. Or a mom who invented something to help with the kids. Or a trucker who solved a problem that’s been bugging drivers for years.
You’ve got a good idea. Now you’re wondering – what do I do next?
If you’re like most people, you probably Googled “how to get my idea made” and got overwhelmed with complicated advice about patents and prototypes and business plans.
Take a deep breath. It doesn’t have to be that hard.
I’ve been helping regular folks with great ideas for over 20 years. The good news? You don’t need a business degree or a pile of money to get started. You just need to take it one simple step at a time.
Write It Down (Seriously, That’s It)
Grab a notebook and write down your idea. Draw pictures if that helps. Don’t worry about making it perfect or fancy.
Write down:
- What problem your idea solves
- How it works (in your own words)
- Why people would want it
- What makes it different from what’s already out there
Why this matters: Getting it out of your head and onto paper helps you think it through. Plus, you’ll have something to show people when you’re ready.
Real example:
Tom, a plumber from Kansas, sketched his pipe fitting idea on the back of a napkin at lunch. That napkin sketch eventually became a product that made him $50,000 a year in licensing payments.
Talk to People Who Would Actually Use It
This is the most important step – and the one most people skip.
Before you spend any money on anything, you need to know if other people have the same problem you’re trying to solve.
Here’s how to do it:
- Talk to friends, family, and coworkers who would use your product
- Ask them: “Do you have this problem too? Would something like this help you?”
- Listen to what they say (really listen, don’t just wait for them to agree with you)
What you’re looking for: At least 8 out of 10 people saying “Yes, I have that problem” and “Yes, I’d pay for something that fixes it.”
Red flag:
If most people say “That’s nice, but I don’t really need it,” your idea might need some work.
Do a Quick Check – Is It Already Out There?
You don’t need to hire a fancy patent lawyer yet. Just do some basic looking around:
- Google your idea and similar products
- Check Amazon and other online stores
- Ask people in your industry if they’ve seen anything like it
- Visit stores that would sell your type of product
Good news if you find something similar: It means there’s a market for your idea. You just need to figure out how to make yours better, cheaper, or easier to use.
If you don’t find anything: That could be great, or it could mean nobody wants it. That’s why Step 2 (talking to people) is so important.
Make a Simple Version to Show People
You don’t need a perfect prototype. You just need something people can see and touch to understand your idea.
Easy ways to make a simple version:
- Use cardboard, duct tape, and stuff from the hardware store
- Modify something that already exists
- Draw detailed pictures if it’s hard to build
- Take photos of existing parts that show how your idea would work
Success story:
Maria, a school secretary, made her classroom organizer idea using cardboard boxes and contact paper. Total cost: $12. That simple mockup helped her explain her idea to a company that ended up licensing it.
Protect Your Idea (The Simple Way)
You’ve heard people say “get a patent first” – but that’s not always the best advice.
Patents are expensive (often $10,000+) and take years. Here’s what to do instead:
- Keep good records: Date and sign your notebook pages. Take photos of your mockup with today’s newspaper in the picture.
- Use a simple legal form: Get what’s called an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). It’s a form that says people can’t steal your idea after you tell them about it.
- Consider a “provisional patent”: This is like putting a placeholder on your idea for one year. It costs around $400-800 and gives you time to see if your idea is worth pursuing.
The truth about protection:
Most regular folks worry too much about people stealing their ideas. The bigger risk is not doing anything with your idea at all.
What Comes Next?
If you’ve done these 5 steps and people are excited about your idea, you have some choices:
A Word About Getting Help
There are good people out there who really want to help inventors succeed. There are also companies that just want to take your money and don’t really help at all.
Good Signs:
- They ask lots of questions about your idea and market research
- They explain costs upfront and don’t pressure you to decide right away
- They can give you names of other inventors they’ve helped (and you can call those people)
- They’re honest about the challenges and don’t promise you’ll get rich quick
Warning Signs:
- They contact you first (through mail or phone calls you didn’t ask for)
- They tell you your idea is “amazing” before really understanding it
- They want a lot of money upfront
- They guarantee success or claim to have “connections” with big companies
The Most Important Thing to Remember
Your idea doesn’t have to change the world to be worthwhile.
Some of the most successful inventors are regular folks who solved simple problems. The guy who invented the pool noodle. The woman who created Spanx. The mechanic who improved a common tool.
What they all had in common: They took their idea seriously enough to take the first few simple steps.
You don’t need to quit your job or invest your life savings. You just need to start with Step 1 and see where it leads.
Most ideas don’t make it past the “thinking about it” stage. Just by writing it down and talking to people, you’re already ahead of 90% of other people with ideas.
Ready to Get Started?
Your first step is simple: Write down your idea today. Not tomorrow, not next week – today.
Then start talking to people who would use it. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Need some guidance along the way? At OLI IDEA, we help regular folks turn their ideas into real products. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and we know that every inventor’s journey is different.
We offer:
- Free confidential advice through our AI helper (available 24/7)
- Simple guides that don’t require a business degree to understand
- Real human help when you need it
- Support from idea to market – patents, prototypes, licensing, whatever your idea needs
Common Questions People Ask
A: Not usually. It’s better to make sure people want your product before spending thousands on a patent. You can protect your idea in simpler ways while you’re testing it out.
A: You can do the first few steps for under $100. Even building a simple version to show people usually costs less than $500. You don’t need big money until you’re sure your idea has potential.
A: Most people worry about this more than they should. The bigger risk is not doing anything with your idea. But you can protect yourself with simple legal forms and by keeping good records.
A: It depends on your idea and which path you choose. Licensing deals can happen in 6 months to 2 years. Making it yourself might take 1-3 years. The important thing is to start and take it one step at a time.
Disclaimer
The information provided in How to Patent an Idea on a Shoestring Budget: The 2025 Guide for First-Time Inventors is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Patent law is complex and fact-specific, and outcomes can vary based on individual circumstances. You should not rely solely on this guide when making legal decisions.
We are not your attorneys, and no attorney-client relationship is created by accessing or using this content. For advice specific to your situation, consult with a qualified, registered patent attorney or agent. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, OLI IDEA makes no guarantees, representations, or warranties, express or implied, regarding its completeness, timeliness, or applicability.
By using this guide or related materials, you acknowledge and agree that OLI IDEA shall not be held liable for any loss, cost, or damages of any kind arising from reliance on the information provided herein.