Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Tony,

I've read your postings here before and didn't get a chance to answer because you received some pretty fine suggestions. I also looked at your website and was intrigued by your invention.

With respect to using your product as a "promotional item," I fear that this has limited utility. For the bar or restaurant, it's an added expense when their margins are very low anyway. So I doubt you're going to get them to pay for it. For others who may wish to advertise and somehow give it to the bars and restaurants, it's really not a good promotional piece because it doesn't command much attention and it gets thrown away after. The good promotional pieces are the ones that people take with them and use because it has much utility.

Your website discusses its use in medical applications. I can see where this product would be wonderful in hospital and nursing home applications. I have watched and then helped patients get the straw to their mouth, with their weakened condition, tubes in arms, and so forth, it's a real struggle. I believe your invention has a lot of merit in these applications and a great deal of value, as it is a one-of-a-kind invention. Provided you had a good lawyer to cover the patent well, you are set there! It will never go out of style - like so many promotional devices so.

As a promotional device, it's at best a limited time, small impact item. There are a lot of competing ideas in that field. As a medical aid, I see a great future.

I have to warn you, however! The medical market is a tougher one to crack because you have to educate the community that there is a need and then present the solution. It's a longer selling process. But, the market is by far greater and has much more longevity. If you can have patience to work through it and have some good guidance to do the right marketing activities, you have a real winner.

I hope this helps.


Wayde

Tony,
I suggest you go to the Bars first...
I doubt that anyone will pay to advertise without knowing where the advertisements will appear...

Frank Hurtte