With all the false starts and do-overs that come with inventing something, it is easy to feel like the Rodney Dangerfield of inventing: like you get “no respect” from credible figures in your field. If investors are turning you down, business partners are flaking out, and you can’t even seem to get your calls returned, it may be time for a change of priorities. Believe it or not, there is actually a tried-and-true formula for establishing yourself as a respected inventor. It begins be creating credibility for your invention.

Inventing can be tough, dirty (through enthralling) work. Fortunately, inventors do not have to go it alone! As it turns out, the government makes certain resources available for inventors to use in their efforts. These resources can come in the form of grants (money) and information. Whichever type of resource you are seeking, you would do well to familiarize yourself with what is available. In this article, we will explore the 2 types of resources the government provides to inventors and offer examples of each. We will begin with information resources.

The day you decide to invent something will probably be one the most exciting days of your life. You will look back on it as the beginning of a long journey, one that may even change the course of your life. However, it is not always clear what the first steps down this new road should be. As a result, many inventors spin their wheels without any real sense of direction or purpose. In this article, we will walk beginning inventors through the first steps that will help them succeed.