Stand Alone, Inventor! [Paperback]

Robert G. Merrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

From the creator of four successful inventions, each posting sales in the millions, these step-by-step lessons and real-life experiences will help aspiring inventors move ahead and succeed with a new product idea. Beginning with the basics of what to invent, how to test it cheaply to see if it will sell, and how to protect and distribute it, "Stand Alone, Inventor!" also offers guidelines on manufacturing and merchandising products from the ground up. Advice on gaining store acceptance, writing a press release and sales material, and getting services for less than what the big guys pay make this book a valuable reference for anyone who wants to turn a simple idea into a million-dollar seller.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

Written by one of the most savvy guys I know on the subject of entrepreneurial inventing, Bob Merrick's book does a terrific job of verbalizing inside information on how to succeed with simple inventions.

Review

Bob Merrick's story of how he achieved invention success is a fascinating read, plus good guidance for how entrepreneurs can do it themselves. -- Dr. Rick Crandall, Ph.D., author of the best seller,How to Market Your Services: For people who HATE to sell, and founder, Community Entrepreneurs Organization.

Bob's book brilliantly presents creative ideas for launching new products. If you plan to profit with your new invention, start by reading this book. -- David Pressman, Author of the best seller, Patent It Yourself!

Stand Alone, Inventor! teaches how to go it alone with your inventive ideas and make your fortune. This is a how-to book for fledgling inventors, and anyone who desires to develop and market their own ideas or who want to work for themselves by starting their own businesses, especially persons wanting to start a home-based business. It is an invaluable resource for anyone who has a new idea for a product, but doesn't know how to proceed. The author provides practical advice drawn from his experience as a successful inventor and manufacturer. Step-by-step guidance shows how to go from brainstorm to store shelf on your own and without going into debt. Covers financing, manufacturing, packaging, advertising, locating distributors and direct marketing, including via Cable TV and the Internet. Includes a Resource Section of over 800 hard-to-find services, product sources, and buyer contacts by industry, which are needed to launch a new product. (310 pgs., 46 illustrations, 6"x9" Paperback, 1997) -- Book Description

What this country needs is more stand-alone inventors like Bob Merrick, who find out how to create their own job, and go on to create jobs for others. He teaches his readers how they can succeed and make a difference, if they assume responsibility for their inventions and for themselves. -- Joanne Hayes-Rines, Editor, Inventors' Digest magazine.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Lee Publishing (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964383209
• ISBN-13: 978-0964383203
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #385,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional Industrail Designer - This Book is 2 Thumbs Up, May 10, 2002

By 

Nick Talesfore (LOS GATOS, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stand Alone, Inventor! (Paperback)

I have been a practicing Industrial Designer / Product Designer for over 30 years with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design. I have been a member of the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) in good standing since 1977. I have owned a successful design firm in Silicon Valley since 1982 and have been granted over 14 utilitarian and design patents and have won several design awards. When one of my clients loaned me a copy of Robert G. Merrick's book "Stand Alone Inventor" I looked at it, shrugged, and put it down, thinking to myself, "another do-it-yourself book". A few days later I had occasion to open it, mostly out of curiosity. I was amazed!! Mr. Merrick had put into his book tips and methodologies; insights and resources that had taken me over 30 years of trial error to learn. Some of these tips I even gained a new insight in - specifically on Royalties and the USPTO Disclosure Document Program. This is an excellent book as it guides the inventor through the entire process from idea refinement to product development and then through the ways of protecting an invention by NDA and DDP and the patent process on to the manufacturing, merchandising, advertising ending finally in sales and distribution. The "Stand Alone Inventor" is truly a must have book not only for all inventors but also for all professionals in the field of product marketing, industrial design and product development. I very highly recommend adding "Stand Alone Inventor" to one's library. I went out immediately and bought my own copy!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get inspired!, February 23, 2000

By 

Ravindranath Papineni "Papi" (Novi, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stand Alone, Inventor! (Paperback)

What a great book! This book is not your regular how-to-this and how-to-that book. There is no technical stufff here either. This is all about how a little inventor can make it big by following some simple steps. The narration was so good that you almost feel that the author is sitting next to you telling all his little secrets of how he did it. It is more inspiring than anything else... and that's what I need. I have other patent books for every thing else.But this one is a gem of all. I wish author had all of his successfull stories filled in the book. The resourses at the end of the book itself justifies the cost.

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Use Caution before purchasing. Know what you want., February 20, 2001

By 

B. Allen Gardner (Logan, Utah USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stand Alone, Inventor! (Paperback)

I bought this book hoping to learn additional techniques to help me with patent development and marketing strategies. I was looking for creative methods that would aid in building a strong company around a good idea. However, what I got was about 45 total reading minutes of "How to be like me". The book is mainly concerned with what Merrick has done to make money selling little gimmicks. If you are trying to sell something that can fit into someones pocket this book might give you some encouragment. (Not technique). If you are trying to invent and market something with company building potential read another book. A personal note: I bought this book primarily because it had a foreward by the director of the US patent office. That impressed me, but I found two problems with it. First, the book spends only a couple of paragraphs even discussing patents, Second, it seemed like the director didn't even agree with Merrick's stand. I will never buy a book again based on the author of the foreword.