Model Approach Creating a prototype that will wow investors.

Let's say you've just come up with an idea for aladies' shoe with interchangeable heels. How can you knowwhether this brainstorm would really work? And how would youexplain your idea to someone else so they'd want to buy it? Theanswer to both questions: Make a prototype.

A prototype is simply a working model of your idea. Most of thetime, it's not an exact model of the eventual finished product.In fact, it will most likely be very rough around the edges.However, it will provide you with a means to demonstrate your ideaand give you--and investors--a glimpse at what your idea mighteventually look like.

Many times an idea makes perfect sense in your mind. When it isturned into a working prototype, however, unexpected flaws appear.This is especially true for complex ideas needing many parts towork. The exercise of building a prototype will help you betterdevelop your idea: You'll discover areas that need improvementand implement changes that could make your idea more valuable andmarketable.

Having a prototype makes it easier to sell your idea topotential buyers, who can now see, touch, hear and smell your ideainstead of visualizing what you're talking about from lookingat drawings or reading a product description. It also proves youridea works, making it helpful in attracting investors, working withmanufacturers and finding licensees.

What's Your Type?

Prototypes can serve a variety of purposes and can have a numberof formats. Here are a few examples of prototypes you shouldconsider:

vWorking model. This prototype (also called a breadboard) willdemonstrate your idea's concept and how it works. It simplydoes what it's supposed to do without worrying about how itlooks. This prototype is used in the early stages of productdevelopment to demonstrate functionality and communicate your ideato potential model makers or manufacturers so they can create afinished product for sale.

vPresentation prototype. The name says it all: A presentationprototype is created to present to potential investors or forpromotional purposes. When you go to a car show and see an automaker's "concept car," you're looking at apresentation prototype.

vPre-production prototype. A pre-production prototype looks andfunctions like the finished product. It is usually the lastprototype made before the full-scale manufacturing begins. Thisprototype gives everyone a chance to inspect the product and makelast-minute changes.

Build as many prototypes as you need until you are satisfied allthe bugs have been worked out and that your idea is performingperfectly. This helps set a good idea apart from a great one.

Building Blocks

If your product idea is complex and way beyond your level ofexperience, you may have some difficulty creating a prototype--youmay even need to hire someone to make it for you. But more oftenthan not, you can make your own prototype if you're willing toroll up your sleeves and learn what is needed. Compiling theresearch to understand what goes into making and designing yourproduct will help immensely when you start selling it.

Begin by writing down all the materials, supplies and tools youmay need. Next, try to identify the various steps required toassemble your prototype. Creating a prototype is like building amodel airplane: You don't make the body and then install theengine. Think about how each part works with the others and howeach phase fits into the next. This exercise will be invaluablewhen you have your product manufactured.

Now identify those parts or materials you may already havearound the house or can purchase easily. I've cut off thebottoms of prescription bottles and used the sides for tubing.I've removed spirals from notebooks because I needed a wirecoil. If you're having trouble coming up with certain parts,think about what items can substitute for the missing parts. I hadan idea for a pool gadget that required a waterproof motor. I foundmy answer when I went to a pool supply store: a battery-operatedpool toy that had a motor inside.

If you can't find the part at home, the next step is to buyit. Some places worth exploring are hardware, grocery, fabric,craft, computer, building material, beauty supply, kitchen supply,and toy stores.

When building a prototype, don't try to reinvent the wheel.Keep in mind, right now you're just trying to get a workingmodel of your idea, not the final production model. For now, makeit easy on yourself and substitute.

In most cases, use standard parts. They're always easier tofind than custom parts and will be easier to purchase in bulk whenthe product is manufactured. It's also easier to adapt partsfor your prototype from existing products (such as radios, bicyclesand so on) when you use standard items. Keep in mind, however, thatif you can easily get standard parts, so can your competition.Using a few custom parts creates a barrier to entry for yourcompetition.

Take your time when making a prototype; it will be moreeffective if you're patient and think through each step.Several good things can result from proceeding slowly andcarefully. First, you may discover a change that could make youridea work better. Second, you may realize there are parts that youforgot to get or didn't even know you needed. And third, yourfrustration level will be reduced while you go through the processslowly because you will know that you thought each step outcarefully and did not miss something by rushing.

Remember, the goal of a prototype is to prove your idea works.There will be lots of experimenting and tinkering. Don't becomeconcerned over the material costs at this time. Right now, you arecreating the most expensive version of your idea. Costs will getlower as you finalize your idea to its most efficient form and canreduce labor and buy materials in bulk at wholesales prices.

Going With The Pros

There will be cases when you simply must have someone else makeyour prototype. Typically this is when an expertise is requiredthat would be too difficult or time-consuming for you to acquire.There are a number of professionals who make a living makingprototypes, such as designers, engineers, product developers and soon. I've used these professionals in the past when I haveneeded to create a higher-quality prototype. I once worked on anidea that involved the use of electronics. After making a verycrude prototype, I took it to an electrical engineer and told himhow I would like my idea further developed. He was able to addfeatures and functions that were simply beyond my capabilities. Ifyour idea can be made better with someone else's expertise, Istrongly recommend you use an outside expert.

A word of caution, however, before hiring a prototype maker:Make sure they can actually help you by communicating your needs tothem and discussing the project thoroughly. Also, agree on a fee upfront for the entire project. Prototype makers can charge highfees, and if you're paying by the hour, their fee can quicklyescalate. Give them as much detail as possible about your idea;include drawings, if available. Remember, even a prototyping expertwill not be able to produce a model of your idea if you don'ttell them exactly what you're looking for.

Finally, the following story illustrates the importance ofadequately protecting your prototype. A man made a prototype of anew fishing lure, then went fishing with it. Unfortunately, helearned how good his lure was when, after catching a string offish, "the one that got away" took the prototype with it.You don't always need more than one prototype, but if you onlyhave one, you should avoid situations where something like thiscould happen.

You may become very frustrated with trial and error when makingyour prototype, but try to keep it in perspective. The frustrationand effort that goes into creating a model that actually works hasnever been more evident than with the many failed attempts in theearly 1900s by inventors trying to develop a machine that couldfly. Who knows how many failed attempts there were before theWright brothers actually succeeded at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

Tomima Edmark is the inventor of the Topsy Tail, the KissingMachine and several other products, and is author of TheAmerican Dream Fact Pack ($49.95), available by calling (800)558-6779. Write to her with any questions you may have regardinginventions and patents in care of "Bright Ideas,"Entrepreneur, 2392 Morse Ave., Irvine, CA 92614.