So, you’ve come up with an idea for a product that you believe will perform very well, but you have no idea how to proceed in actually designing and developing the first prototype? Well, the good news is that you shouldn’t feel alone in this regard because the vast majority of novice inventors and product designers don’t have any prior experience or education in engineering or other relevant fields. Most first-time inventors are just entrepreneurially minded people who have a dream to deliver an entirely new product to the market. If that sounds like your situation, consider the following four tips that will help you quickly bring your invention from a dream to a delivered product:

1. Use an Online Design-to-Order Tool

Designing a product from scratch can be absurdly challenging for an inexperienced inventor, especially if you’re operating in the increasingly complex tech niche. Luckily, there are a number of design-to-order platforms that simplify many of the obstacles associated with configuring and ordering crucial technological components like motherboards and circuit boards. Motherboard manufacturers will use the likes of tape and reel services to manufacture certain components to ensure they have enough units to satisfy productions. With these tools, you can easily design the inner workings of your new device and purchase the necessary pieces within the same interface. Using one of these platforms will provide a double benefit because the design tools will usually tell you which pieces you need, which helps you learn about the roles and functions of each piece. For example, you might find that you need to order a 60 pin connector to complete your project, during which time you’d learn how to implement such connectors within your invention. 

2. Network with OEMs and Suppliers

The more original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers you deal with, the more likely it is that you’ll find the best price and quality in the long-term. As a general rule of thumb, try to reach out to at least 5-10 prospective suppliers before you choose one to handle your mass manufacturing needs. 

3. Test and Refine Prototypes

Once you have a way to conveniently design and produce your product, it’s time to optimize efficiency, performance, durability, and other important features by testing your prototype. It’s best to have at least one other person helping you with this phase, as you want to brainstorm possible improvements and new features from multiple perspectives. 

4. Create Pre-Launch Hype

You could have the best product in the world, but it won’t matter if nobody knows about it. Creating a crowdfunding campaign on a site like Kickstarter can be an ideal way to let the world know about your product well before it actually becomes available. By building up a decent audience prior to the product’s release date, you can ensure that your initial sales metrics will look appealing on paper, which can be helpful for attracting investors during your first investment round. 

Don’t Forget the Importance of Continual Marketing

Finally, here’s another bonus tip that you should keep in mind after the product has launched: invest in an ongoing promotional effort. Ideally, your advertising budget should be allocated to a diverse range of marketing services and campaigns that spread brand awareness and generate leads from a multi-faceted perspective.