What Are You Doing Today to Move Your Invention Forward?

Every inventor dreams of that breakthrough moment—the day your product hits shelves, the licensing deal that changes everything, the validation that all your hard work has paid off. But here's the truth that successful inventors know: that moment doesn't arrive in a single dramatic leap. It arrives through the accumulation of dozens, hundreds, even thousands of small steps forward.

You're running a marathon, not a sprint.

The question isn't whether you'll achieve lasting success today. The question is: what will you do today that builds toward it?

If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed by the magnitude of what lies ahead, take a breath. You don't have to do everything today. You just need to do something. And that something should fall into one of four critical categories.

Perfect: Make It Better

Your invention is never truly finished—at least not until it's in the hands of customers. And even then, there's always room for improvement.

What can you perfect today?

• Function: Can you make your invention easier to use? More intuitive? Faster? Sometimes the smallest tweak in user experience makes the biggest difference in marketability.

• Design: Walk through every interaction point. Where do users hesitate? Where does the process feel clunky? Your invention should feel almost effortless.

• Cost: Every dollar you can shave off manufacturing costs is a dollar that makes your invention more attractive to licensees or more profitable if you manufacture it yourself. Can you simplify a component? Find a cheaper material that maintains quality? Reduce assembly steps?

• Performance: Does it work better, last longer, or deliver superior results compared to what's already out there? If not, today is the day to address that.

Even spending just 30 minutes sketching improvements or testing modifications keeps your invention evolving.

Protect: Secure Your Rights

You can't build a business on something you don't own. Intellectual property protection isn't just legal paperwork—it's the foundation of your invention's value.

What can you protect today?

• File a Provisional Patent Application (PPA): Here's something many inventors don't realize: you can file multiple PPAs as your invention evolves. Each time you make a significant improvement or add a new feature, consider filing another PPA. (Note: each new PPA begins a 1 year clock for that specific PPA).

• Consider Trademarks: Your invention's name matters. If you haven't already, search trademark databases and consider filing. A strong brand can be as valuable as the invention itself.

• Don't Forget Copyright: If your invention includes unique software, graphics, or instructional materials, copyright protection is automatic but registration provides stronger legal standing.

Protection isn't paranoia—it's prudent business practice.

Confirm: Validate Your Assumptions

Hope is not a strategy. You might love your invention, but does the market? Will it hold up to scrutiny? The sooner you confirm or challenge your assumptions, the sooner you can pivot if needed.

What can you confirm today?

• Research Prior Art: Spend an hour on Google Patents, the USPTO database, Espacenet, Amazon and Alibaba searching for similar products. Use ai sources like Perplexity. You're looking for two things: what already exists (potential obstacles) and what gaps remain (your opportunity). This research never ends - new products and patents arrive constantly.

• Survey Your Target Market: You don't need a fancy focus group. Start with 10-20 people who fit your customer profile. Ask specific questions: Would they buy this? At what price? What concerns do they have? What would make it irresistible?

• Seek Expert Feedback: Who knows this industry better than anyone? Reach out to them. Most experts are surprisingly willing to spend 15 minutes with an inventor who asks thoughtful questions. Prepare specific questions and respect their time.

• Test Assumptions: Every invention is built on assumptions. List yours. Then systematically test them. Assume nothing.

Confirmation might sting sometimes—you might learn your invention needs changes. But it's better to learn this now than after you've invested another year going in the wrong direction.

Market: Build Relationships

Your invention won't sell itself, and licensing deals don't materialize out of thin air. Marketing isn't just something you do when your invention is "ready"—it's an ongoing process of building relationships and creating awareness.

What can you market today?

• Make One New Contact: Identify one company that could be a potential licensee or partner. Find the right person—usually in product development or licensing. Send a brief, professional email. Don't pitch everything in the first message; just introduce yourself and ask if they're open to reviewing new product concepts.

• Follow Up: That company you contacted two weeks ago? Follow up. Polite persistence is not annoying—it's professional.

• Attend Industry Events: Can't make it in person? Many trade shows and industry conferences now offer virtual components. Spend an hour browsing exhibitors, taking notes, and identifying potential partners.

• Build Your Online Presence: Start a simple website or blog about your invention journey. Share progress (without revealing proprietary details). This builds credibility and can attract interest from unexpected sources.

• Join Inventor Communities: Online forums, local inventor groups, and social media communities aren't just for support—they're for connections. Someone in these groups might know someone who knows someone who needs exactly what you've invented.

Marketing is a long game. The relationships you start building today might not pay off for six months or a year. Start anyway.

The One-Thing Rule

Feeling overwhelmed by all these possibilities? Here's your permission to think smaller: pick just one thing from one category and do it today.

• Perfect one aspect of your design

• Protect by updating your documentation

• Confirm by interviewing three potential customers

• Market by reaching out to one company

That's it. One thing. Then tomorrow, do one more thing.

The Marathon Mindset

Successful inventors share a common trait: they show up consistently. Not every day is productive. Not every effort yields results. But every step forward, no matter how small, is a step closer to success.

Your invention won't be perfected today. Your patent won't be granted today. Your market research won't be comprehensive today. Your licensing deal won't be signed today.

But today, you can make progress. And tomorrow, you can make more.

You Don't Have to Run Alone

Here's the thing about marathons: they're easier when you have support. Coaches who've run the race before. Fellow runners who understand the challenges. Resources that help you pace yourself and avoid common pitfalls.

If you're looking for help in running your inventor marathon, check out Invention City. Sometimes having experienced guidance and a community of fellow inventors makes all the difference between giving up at mile 10 and crossing the finish line.

So I'll ask again: What are you doing today to move your invention forward?

The answer doesn't have to be epic. It just has to be something.

Now stop reading and go do it.

- Mike Marks