-- Our team of Experts (just know-it-all guys and gals) want to chit-chat over "Inventive Topics." They want to solve problems. They want to localize their answers to the "Idea People" within 500-miles from St. Louis - well they feel that it can be solved within that parameter. -- --> LET'S SEE:

-- Question: "How do I get my invention on the Oprah Winfrey Show? It is an Invention that everyone would want once they see it?" - Leonard G.

-- The "Aha" Answer:
-- "Write a personal letter to Oprah Winfrey. One of her staff may set your message aside [even though you wrote "Personal" on the envelope] to telephone you to learn more. - If you are called to Chicago to show-off your invention, be sure to have a working prototype to demonstrate your brilliance. - There is no assurance that you will be called, so don't be very disappointed. - Read all you can and come to the IASL meetings to learn more." -- R.S.

-- Question:"I spend thousands of dollars over the last 4 years in making my invention. All my family and frends just love it and want one soon as I make more of them. I went on the "American Inventors" tv show and they didn't like it. Only one voted "Yes" for it. I hoped to become rich and have money to make thousands of my "back-scratchers that play a song when you use them." Am I a looser and failure? Should I spent a lot more of my money to do it myself? I know everybody has a back itch now and then and can't reach it. My invention works. and now that I told you how, don't you go off and make and steal my business. I'll wait for your anser. Please help me - Lucy"

-- The "Aha" Answer:
-- "Normally I'd say "Fergetaboutit and Get a Life." But, let's look at this thing as a "Positive."

-- You didn't say how much your back-scratcher would sell for or how much it will cost you to make a thousand units? At the very high end of the market, your item is a specialty item or novelty. There are people who will pay exhorbitant prices for custom products. They will pay hundreds for "quirky" gold-plated toothpicks and belly-button faux diamonds - even for real belly-button diamonds. [I heard of one movie-star putting diamonds on her baby's pacifier!]

-- So, Lucy, make one at a time and peddle it to jewelry stores and upscale gift shops. [They will improve upon it with decorative gold and diamond chips.] They will tell you what they think it is worth? I hope you can make it for a fraction of what they value it so that you will make some kind of profit? -- And if you start selling them 'like hot-cakes,' you may want to craft them in quantity by a manufacturer?

-- Yours is an innovation and not an invention, your thing has been thought of before. Don't waste your money trying to get a patent for it." - R.S.
;-)) "Yeah, sure, I'll buy that.."

--------------------------------------------------------- > >
-- "Innovations" -- Planet Eureka! Hot 100 - Innovations Preview List
-------------------- ------------ --------------------------- > >

-------------------------- > > IDEA BOUNCE --> >
-- "Mistakes website" --
-------------------- ------------ --------------------------- > >
-- "Reuseable Construction Material" --
-------------------- ------------ --------------------------- > >
-- "Surgical 3/D tv Cameras" --
-------------------- ------------ --------------------------- > >
-- "The Connector" --
-------------------- ------------ --------------------------- > >
-- "Walker that can clear steps" --
-------------------- ------------ --------------------------- > >
-- "Launch Your Project" --

From: brad @ Duxtechnologies
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 4:29 PM
To: Director@inventorsconnection.org
Subject: Brad Duxbury

Hi Robert,

My name is Brad Duxbury in Australia and my path forward is a mystery having destroyed my business (electrical contracting)that I was going to use to provide funds to get this idea at least to prototype or start up stage, I now have a number of problems and since it would take me 30 years to get back to owning my house and I am 46 I know that is one path that only leads to a life of what ifs.

1. I do not have enough money now to fund international application in 1 year having let last provisional lapse because I had not looked for funds and financially collapsed (now working in a job I can’t do 1000 miles from my home, will have to return to a lower paying job in city soon to attempt to save house)

2. Undecided as to do this for licensing or start up as I need job in the future and this could provide me with technical sales job (like to keep both options open)

3. I proved proof of concept with help of engineers but they will not commit to sweat equity as too much paid work on other innovations

4. Attorney has produced good provisional but haven’t put claims in and feel need input from large company in this sector to have strongest footprint

5. I am not an academic and have huge problems putting the complete package forward

6. This is brilliant and aimed at sporting goods industry and has nearly been made by a different industry but would require R&D from other industry to get correct

7. That other industry I feel should have input into the provisional patent (though attorney says it should hold as is)

8. Since i have no money should I

9. Approach other industry and see if they willing to fund prototype or fund better proof of concept to take forward to sporting goods industry or to begin start up

10. Could I safely show them another use for their product seeking some form of partnership to take this forward (by that I mean if I ask them under confidentiality if they can produce the product as if I were going to be the purchaser for the start up)

11. ( Met start up manager, branding lawyer, top tier new products accountants last year all very excited by my idea but also not willing to sweat equity )

12. Approach young uni students looking for co founders so can put a better case forward for funding for start up or share possible licensing deal

13. Go forward with my unprofessional publications to either industry seeking financial and technical help to get to international patent and hope 1 out of the many players may help otherwise I will have given a lot of people ideas and will have to put in international somehow by approaching way down the chain. Most like Nike say will only accept patented ideas hoping can talk them into provisional being good enough to talk asking for their input into it if interested.

14. This is good enough to go forward to elite Olympians who may have access to the right marketing people in the large companies but what do I offer them

15. I do not have a business plan as there is no real path and I feel it would change huge amounts along the way

16. Even in the sporting goods industry there are 2 different areas I can approach

17. So now that I need money this year do I approach all concerned like a scattergun approach

18. I do not have the business ability to approach angels unless I am asking them to be a founder and put a changeable plan together

19. This is very frustrating but I can’t stop if I do I would be giving up all hope of a decent worthwhile life

20. Could I put website together claiming invention patent pending and ask for donations or shareholders to participate to hold patent and try to form startup and see what happens

Any idea’s at the moment I am going for scattergun but may not get to show to anyone if have confidentiality problems.

Kind regards

Brad Duxbury
----------------------- --------------- ------------------- ------------> >
To: brad@ From: Robert Scheinkman
Subject: Re: Brad Duxbury
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11:19 AM

Brad Duxbury - Brad

After reading your extensive description, I cannot see whether you have anything to prove your inventorship.

1. A 'provisional patent application' is limited in time to one year from the date that the patent office acknowledged it.

2. A provisional patent application does NOT mature into a non-provisional patent.

3. You haven't created a prototype, so you can't use "Patent Pending." You can use a Non-Disclosure Affidavit in your dealings.

4. You have disclosed the essence of your invention, which invites others to invent around it. [That is not good for you.]

5. You cannot expect others to donate money to you, unless you give back, in kind.

6. You haven't researched the competition.

7. "Ideas are a dime a dozen" and no one will gamble. They place their money on securities and things that they are familiar with.

8. You have to sell yourself to those who would take a chance on you. Everyone favors a winner--and from what you have written, you are opening your statements as a loser. You are cutting your own throat.

Doug, you would do as well by entering a lottery and gambling on winning it. :-(

There are millions like you who think that's all they have to do is come up with an idea, call someone up, and the check 'reward' will be immediately sent to them through the mail.

Doug, if I have kicked you in the teeth, I meant to. This way, you will start over and learn what you should have known--years ago. Read the IASL website!!

[You are not too old to learn the right way.]

<-- --> Hold it! Relax. Take a break for a few moments and get some practical advice -- --> "Seventy percent of success in life is showing up." :-) -- Woody Allen

From: Iremew@aol.com
Subject: THE REVERSIBLE TWO WAY TENT
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009 10:16 PM

THIS IS AND IDEA THAT HAS BEEN ON MY MINE FOR AND WHY.I LOVE TO GO CAMPING.AS AND SMALL CHILD GROWING UP IN THE COUNTRY.I ALWAYS LOVE CAMPING.I WOULD LOVE TO INVENT AND TENT THAT WILL NOT ONLY PROTECT YOU FROM THE WEATHER.BUT PROTECT ALL THE WAY ROUND.THE REVERSIBLE TWO WAY TENT IS AND TENT THAT YOU CAN USE ON BOTH SIDES.AND ALSO IT WILL BE LIKE AND TWO WAY MIRROR.IN WHICH WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE OUT SIDE.BUT NO ONE CAN OR WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE YOU INSIDE.CALL ME AT WORK @ 919-286-0411 EXT 7505 AND MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS IREMEW@AOL.COM SIGN IRENE S. MEWBORN

To: IREMEW@AOL.COM
From: Robert Scheinkman
Subject: See through tent
Date: Monday, November 2, 2009 5:43 PM

You have an idea. It is only an idea until you make it happen.

If you want to see trough a tent, get windows for it. Sleep with the flaps up. Sleep with your head on the outside and your body inside that tent. Sleep in a bedroll outside the tent.

Get a television showing scenes of outdoors.

From: mhogan@engineer.com
Subject: Re: [Inventors Council] info
Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010 8:56 AM

I have been in your situation. I developed my product by myself and got it to market. And i thought i would make lots of money and people would rip me off. Guess what. Neither of those things happened. My product was too unsought and niche. The ideas i hear too often fall into that category. My advice to any inventor is to honestly assess the mass market appeal of their idea and be willing to revise their expectations.
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-- THE EXPERT'S ANSWER:
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-- "The Inventor's Dilemma: Manufacturing vs. Licensing" --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> >
-- When you too have a solution for other inventors' problems or if you would want your problem aired on this "Aha Moment" Bulletin Board, send it in by e-mail to:
-- aha@inventorsconnection.org

-- A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline for advice. The Psychic tells him: "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you." The frog is thrilled, "This is great! Will I meet her at a party?" "No," says his Advisor, "in her biology class."

-- An 85-year old man is out on a pond fishing in his boat. He hears a tiny voice saying, Pick me up." - He looks down and he sees a frog on a lilly pad and picks him up. - The frog says, "Thank you. I have been enchanted by an evil witch. I am really a beautiful princes and if you kiss me on my lips, I will be returned to my former self. I will then be yours to love and marry and we will live together happily ever-after." - The old codger instead puts the frog in a jar he happened to have and doesn't kiss it. - He says to the frog, "Too old for sex, but I sure can make money with a talking frog."

-- "You've got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find the prince. But he probably isn't going to be interested in some frog-kisser."

-- Don't miss your opportunity. Have a Goal in mind.

Any information that we provide you in response to an inquiry or otherwise should not be considered legal advice and you should not rely on it as if it were. If you have a legal issue which is important to you, the response is no substitute for competent legal advice. Please read our disclaimer.

-- -- Privacy Warning -- --

 The Inventors Association of St. Louis, through its website which you are now reading, http://www.inventorsconnection.org, has linkage to other websites not connected or affiliated with us. This does not mean that we necessarily endorse these web sites. These web sites are independent from us and we have no control over or responsibility for their information or activities.

Please be aware that our Inventors Association of St. Louis is not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. When you leave our site, we encourage you to read the privacy statements of every website that collects personally identifiable information. Upon your decision to provide personal information at one of these sites, you are subject to the privacy policy of the operator of that site.

The privacy statement contained herein applies solely to information collected by inventorsconnection.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- --> To: dayjobiasl@webtv.net
From: Robert Burgess
Subject: Fee Based Project Management for your Overseas Sourced Products
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:40 AM 

Dear Mr. Scheinkman:

My company, Offshore Technologies, Inc., represents a U.S. owned, U.S. managed company located in Shenzhen, China that specializes in sourcing, inspection, packaging, and assembly of product in China. We are not brokers, but instead serve as fee based project managers, depending on the specific requirements of the customer. Our unique approach to sourcing in China provides our U.S. clients with high quality, competitively priced, timely delivered product as well as allowing these client companies direct access to the Chinese manufacturers.

Here are four key advantages to working with us:

· We provide a “firewall” between overseas manufacturer’s and the U.S. market by packaging and assembling product in our own secure facilities in Shenzhen, China, thereby eliminating any concerns over having your product “knocked off”.

· We provide inspection services in China, either at our own facilities or at the supplier’s facility, for the product being manufactured. Inspection is done per your own specific requirements.

· We provide assistance to U.S. companies in identifying and evaluating potential Chinese sources for specific product required by U.S. companies.

· We will manage the sourcing logistics with the overseas supplier(s), with all pricing, logistics, VAT fees, costs, etc. completely transparent to you and your company.

Would these services be of interest to you and/or your membership? Please let me know if you would like further information. Thanks, Bob Burgess.

Regards,

Robert Burgess

Offshore Technologies, Inc.

513-755-9010

bburgess@offshoreparts.com

To: Robert Scheinkman
From: jb
Date: Sunday, July 6, 2008 12:39 AM

Dear Robert,

I am in China and I want your inventors to benefit from my 30+ years experience developing and manufacturing consumer products. I have extensive knowledge having owned my own factory facility in the USA. I am living and working in China full time doing exactly what I know best which is assisting my customers in getting their inventions to the marketplace. I work in all types of materials and there is no project which is too large or too small.

I have the advantage of being here with full time bi-lingual help working with the factories directly on a real time basis. I do not charge any fees as my services are for making product. Of course, I will be more then happy to share my experiences and the knowledge I have accumulated.

The information shown below is how you can reach me. You can also call me at 212-832-4808 which is a Vonage phone and connects to me in China. There is a time difference, don't be concerned about this, just leave a message and I will call you back immediately.

Please look at my web site also which is www.imexchinaltd.com

Regards,

Joel Bahr

President

IMEX CHINA LTD.

18F, Aviator Mansion, North Tower
Xuefu Road, Nanshan District, Nantou Area
Shenzhen 518029, China
t. 755-2609-0394
f. 755-2609-0010
qc. 13410746071
USA to China (212-832-4808)
jb@imexchinaltd.com
www.imexchinaltd.com

-- Attention Inventors: Your Packaging Is As Important As Your Patent

-- Inventors invent products, but it is the packaging that is going to sell them. The average consumer spends less than three seconds making up their minds whether or not to buy a product. Consequently, you need to influence that purchasing decision. The best way to do that is with the right packaging. The right package is your "silent salesperson" and it will create the buzz that will compel consumers to pick your product off the shelf or place an order from the Internet.

-- Packaging is your finest and most cost effective option to persuading consumers to pick up your invention and take a closer look. Be aware that packaging an invention or a product is complicated. One mistake and you could be back to square one -- not only will the consumer not buy your product it may not even see the retailer’s shelf. Everyday I hear horror stories about product packaging that failed at retail or never made the grade to make it to the shelf. Recently, a QVC representative told me that only one out of five products make it through the QVC quality process. She indicated that much of the failure is derived from poor packaging. When that happens, unfortunately, you have wasted a lot of money in the process. The average product invests $7,000 in package design and development before the launch. So, it pays to do it right the first time and understand the obstacles before they become insurmountable.

-- So what's an inventor who knows nothing about packaging or even where to start supposed to do? I have created just the resource for you, "Packaging Your Invention." You can find packaging insider tips, technologies and packaging innovations to help you get started at http://packagingyourinvention.com/. There is plenty of free advice to point you in the right direction.

-- Why should you listen to me? I have more than 30 years of extensive experience in packaging. When I spoke at the Invention Show, a listener had this to say about my program on "Packaging Your Invention To Sell." :: "I learned a lot of good information about packaging. Your class opened my eyes to the importance of good packaging and how it relates to your invention's success. I could tell that you have extensive knowledge and keep up on all the trends of the industry." (signed) The Average Inventor

-- So don't wait until it is so late that you are going off in the wrong direction with your product packaging. When you think about your patent, think about your packaging too. The most important thing to remember is that without a package you cannot have an invention in the market place and without the right packaging your invention will never sell.

JoAnn Hines (PackagingUniversity.com) Packaging Diva
PackagingUniversity.com
4290 Bells Ferry Rd. Suite 106-17
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Phone : 678-594-6872

-- "To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never, in a word to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common, this is to be my symphony." -- William Henry Channing

-- "Women inventors succeed more at getting their products to market because they're more practical, they define the need better, and they package it better than men. They see the big picture better," -- Hayes-Rines.

-- Below is the contact info to get you started if you're manufacturing a product that you think would sell on a home shopping channel.
-- But first, here is the criteria, according to author Brian Jud ...

* Demonstrate well in eight minutes of airtime?
* Solve a common problem or make life easier?
* Appeal to a broad audience?
* Have unique features and benefits?
* Relate to a topical or timely subject?
* Have a selling price of $15.00 or higher?

-- Home Shopping Network: If you have a product you would like to sell on HSN, go to http://www.hsn.com/corp/vendor/article.aspx?aid=3382 to complete the form online.

-- Some of the things you will need to complete the application include a description of the product and your target customer, a photo or brochure that can be uploaded, the quantity available and your suggested selling price.

-- The mailing address is New Business Development, 1 HSN Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33729.

-- QVC: The first step in the QVC product review process is to complete the QVC product submission form found at http://www.qvcproductsearch.com/product_submission_guidelines.htm

-- If QVC later asks you to send a product sample in for evaluation, send it to QVC, 1200 Wilson Drive, Mail Code: 128, West Chester, PA 19380

-- Shop NBC: If you are interested in becoming a ShopNBC vendor, go to http://www.shopnbc.com/vendor/vendorinfo.aspx to get the application form.

-- Provide all the information requested, print and mail it along with a brochure or photo (do not send product samples) of your line, product, or specialty to: ShopNBC, Attn: New Vendor Department, 6740 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.

-- Upon receiving your application, ShopNBC will review your submission and will notify you if they are interested in pursuing a vendor relationship with you.

# # #

-- Brian Jud is the author of "How to Make Real Money Selling Books" and now offers commission-based sales of nonfiction, fiction and children's titles to buyers in special markets.

-- For more information contact: Brian at P. O. Box 715, Avon, CT 06001-0715; (860) 675-1344; Fax (860) 270-0343 brianjud@bookmarketing.com or www.premiumbookcompany.com twitter.com

-- -- Paul Niemann runs MarketLaunchers.com, - building websites for inventors. He can be reached at niemann7@aol.com or at (217) 224-8194
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From: scott@krakenpictures.com
Subject: New TV series Celebrating
American Innovation Needs Hosts
Date: Monday, May 3, 2010 2:47 PM

ARE YOU AN ENGINEER, SCIENTIST, PROFESSOR, RETAIL BUYER, OR PATENT ATTORNEY?

DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR BUILDING THINGS, OR DREAMING UP THE NEXT BIG IDEA?

ARE YOU ARTICULATE, CHARISMATIC, OUTGOING?

HALF YARD PRODUCTIONS IS LOOKING FOR TWO NEW HOSTS TO HELP EXPLORE THE WORLD OF INVENTING AND INNOVATION? ARE YOU READY TO BECOME THE HOST OF THE NEXT BIG TV SHOW CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN INNOVATION?

INTERESTED PEOPLE PLEASE EMAIL THE FOLLOWING to half yard productions (info below)

NAME

EMAIL

PHONE NUMBER

PHOTO

ONE PARAGRAPH EXPLAINING WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT INVENTING, INNOVATION, AND THE SCIENCES AND ANY EXPERIENCES THAT RELATE.

ALSO, FEEL FREE TO FORWARD A 5 MINUTE VIDEO OF YOURSELF EXPLAINING YOUR PASSIONS FOR INVENTING/CREATING/SCIENCE AND SHOWCASING YOUR TALENT AS A TV HOST.

Half Yard contact information

Scott Michnick, Producer
scott@krakenpictures.com
office – 240-223-3398
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-- Inventors, Are you Ready to Get on TV?

Product owners and Inventors across the nation are challenged to present their most innovative products to "Get It On TV 2010". If selected, we will produce your tv spot, fund a national media campaign, and launch your product into retail and be a featured product on our Get It on TV product portal.

Lenfest Media Group (UIA-Certified Patron) offers a turn-key solution for inventors who would like to launch their products to market. We offer a complete DRTV Campaign Management Solution including scripting, production, media buying, fulfillment, and retail distribution--- and the best part is it's RISK FREE for inventors!

If you think you may have the next big infomercial success then click below to submit your product to the "Get It On TV 2010" search for the next top tv product!

Click here to submit your idea!
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Subject: MIC 2010 award winners announced

-- --> > 53rd annual Minnesota Inventors Congress invention expo.

-- New programs and events that inspire creativity and innovation were incorporated into the Invention & Idea Show floor for the 53rd annual Minnesota Inventors Congress event held in Redwood Falls MN. From the exhibits on the show floor, to the FIRST Robotics demonstrations and the MIC Jump$tart Competition the response from the public was very positive. According to Deb Hess, MIC Executive Director, "The 2010 Invention & Idea Show was a great success. The invention chosen by the judges to receive the $ 1,000 F. Robert Starr Award (Grand Prize) was the BACKSAFE, invented by Jovan Palmieri, Elk River MN.
- Hundreds are killed by backing vehicles each year. BackSafe saves lives and prevents backing accidents by revolutionizing communications between spotters and drivers of large vehicles.
- The invention chosen to receive the $1,000 MIC Jump$tart Competition first place award, sponsored by the Malco Design and Deliver Group, was the Action Trackchair, an offroad wheelchair, invented by Tim Swenson, Marshall MN.
- The unique aspect of our show is that inventions were exhibited in many industries - from sports and recreation, tools, consumer goods, and energy to transportation and medical and educational categories. Inventors shared stories with me about the feedback they received regarding their invention and how they met people who can help them get their products into the marketplace and make those reliable connections needed to advance their ideas."

-- Experts from across the country were on hand to educate inventors about the process of developing marketable products during the 20 different Inventing Success Workshops.
- A representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Mindy Fleisher, presented a workshop for the Minnesota Student Inventors Congress exhibitors and the Invention Creation Station was open for children to explore their creative side.
- Wrapping up the event, the final award presented is the Maynard Speece People's Choice award.
- The recipient of that award was the Action Trackchair, by Tim Swenson.

-- Plans are underway for the 54th event, scheduled for June 10 & 11, 2011.

-- Here's to Inventing Success - The most important investment an inventor can make is to learn how successful inventors develop marketable products!

Deb Hess, Executive Director
Minnesota Inventors Congress
deb@minnesotainventorscongress.org www.minnesotainventorscongress.org
Minnesota Inventors Congress
235 S Mill Street, P O Box 71
Redwood Falls MN 56283
507.627.2344 Office* 800.468.3681 Toll Free * 507.637.4082 Fax
==================================> >

-- The Minnesota Inventors Congress (MIC) is a private, Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization. This message is not to be considered legal advice. The MIC is not a law firm and does not provide legal or patent, trademark or copyright advice. Posted messages may contain information helpful to some people under some circumstances. Please use caution when evaluating any information, including but not limited to: business opportunities; links to news stories; links to services, products or other web sites; and postings by group members. No endorsements are ever issued by the MIC, expressed or implied.
-- 53rd Annual event: Invention & Idea Show - June 11 & 12, 2010
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-- "Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not." -- Thomas Huxley
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To: Robert Scheinkman, Director/President IASL
From: Product Coach Matthew Yubas Subject: Invention Book Giveaway to Help People in Need
Date: Monday, December 7, 2009 3:59 AM

Hello Robert,

It’s sad to think that in the United States there are still people struggling just to find their next meal. These are not just homeless people. These are seniors, veterans, and people who are simply out of work.

Organizations like the South Plains Food Bank help those in need on a regular basis.

To help the cause, I’m giving my book “Product Idea to Product Success” away in exchange for a donation.

Every penny of your donation will be directed to the South Plains Food Bank.

So if you or someone you know would like to learn about inventing and help others at the same time, this is a great opportunity.

The book “Product Idea to Product Success” can be yours to own, or give as a gift, for a donation of your choice, plus the cost of shipping and handling.

Here’s more information:
http://www.productcoach.com/product-idea-to-product-success/book-donation.html

Thank you,

Matthew Yubas
_______________________________________
Product Coach
Matthew Yubas
Texas: 3124 75th Street, Lubbock, TX 79423
(806) 853-7721
California: 9853 Pacific Heights Blvd.
Suite K, San Diego, CA 92121 (619) 940-7721
www.ProductCoach.com
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-- "Resources - Inventors Showcase - Inventions Showcase - New Inventions - Patent Showcase" --
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3 Ways to Persuade

The U.S. presidential campaign kicked into high gear where both sides were pulling out all of the rhetorical stops to try to persuade folks to pick their candidate. - Barack Obama, as most everyone knows, won the U.S. Presidency.

For a little perspective on the art of persuasion, we will turn to a political commentator unlike any on TV. We're turning to famous Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC). He wrote the book on rhetoric--called The Art of Rhetoric--way back in the 4th century BC.

We asked Aristotle, how should politicians persuade? He told us that, aside from "tortures, depositions, and the like," there are only three ways: logos, pathos, and ethos. In English, you might say logic, emotion, and character. Put it all together, and you get a reasonable argument, passionately made, by a person you trust.

1. Logos

Logic is an obvious one. After all, who isn't a sucker for irrefutable facts, verifiable numbers, and the inexorable march of reason across the course of a well-constructed speech? In fact, for many thinkers, including Aristotle's mentor, Plato, logos is the only legitimate way to win friends and influence people. The rest is sophistry.

Logos was even more persuasive to ancient Greek philosophers, because they had a pretty expansive notion of what logos was. It could be the simple reason in the words of a speech, or it could mean the supreme reason of the universe, which all rational appeals naturally plugged into.

2. Pathos

Still, unlike old Plato, Aristotle was willing to look beyond strictly rational appeals. He recognized that people "do not give judgment in the same way when aggrieved as when pleased"--especially, he snobbily wrote, "audiences of limited intellectual scope and limited capacity to follow an extended chain of reasoning."

Enter pathos. Let's face it, said Aristotle. If you really want to persuade people, sometimes you have to resort to emotional appeals. It's why campaigns try to wrap themselves in the flag and make you fear the other guy. It's why a winning smile and puppy-dog eyes work magic in getting your way. It's why lawyers have the saying "If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If the law is on your side, pound the law. If neither is, pound the table."

Of course, emotional appeals can take more subtle forms, too. Aristotle pointed out that eloquence itself is a kind of emotional persuasion. "Style makes the matter more persuasive," he wrote, "for the mind is tricked as though the speaker were telling the truth."

3. Ethos

For a reason-loving philosopher like Aristotle, admitting the power of pathos had to be hard enough. But he goes even further with ethos. "Character," he wrote, "contains almost the strongest proof of all."

Quite simply, it matters who's trying to persuade you. If the person trying to sway you shows "common sense, virtue, and goodwill" (for Aristotle, an ethical trifecta), then really, aren't you more likely to believe what that person says? Aristotle thought so, and so thought that persuasive attempts must work to "establish the speaker himself as being of a certain type"--namely, the type of person you'll believe.

Sometimes ethos is the only thing that matters. If, based on arcane medical tests, one doctor says you need immediate surgery, and another says you don't, how are you going to decide--except by judging who seems more credible? Similarly, lawyers put dueling experts on the stand, and politicians put dueling wonks on TV. Their reasons are obscure and technical, and only ethos makes the sale. That's why the old vaudeville philosophers used to say, "If you can fake sincerity, you've got it made."

--Michael Himick

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