My simple idea--at a bit of a loss what to do next

[Alana]

I’ve read Steven Key One Simple Idea and have designed a rough prototype (which I’ve photographed) and drew some extremely basic drawings for a very(!) simple idea I have. I’ve submitted it to various websites like Edison Nation (a site that reviews your idea and if they like it then they produce it and pay your royalties). Also, I am making sure my Plan B (to approach companies on my own) is ready to go if E.N. axes my idea with the goal of getting it licensed. I still have all the rights to my idea UNTIL it gets to their final stage (which is hasn’t); I’d need to at least find out how much is would (roughly) cost to manufacture my widget.

I have my PPA and a NDA all set to go. I contacted roughly 7 manufacturers about two weeks ago…none have gotten back to me.

My question(s): I’m concerned that my drawing/photographs are too basic for a manufacturer to look at it and say ‘Yes! I can make that!†Am I missing a step? Would you recommend that I have a professional artist do a drawing of it?
Since the rare earth magnets are the majority of the cost to make my widget, is that (the cost of magnets) really all I need to know or is it recommended that I know what it costs to produce the entire product (which would then included a few ounces of silicon rubber in addition)?

(side note: I live in an extremely remote corner of the world and I’m snowed in, so I am currently unable to do any face to face interactions with potential manufacturers of any kind).

 

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[JasonR]

I don't think you need a professional artist or 3D modeler. Why haven't you been contacting manufacturers/companies who produce a product that is in the same market as your idea? I'm not familiar with Edison Nation...so I can't comment there.

Keep pushing. Contact someone in the same business/field, and see what they think about your idea. You may need several ideas before you come up with a winner. It's hard to say anything as we have no clue what the idea is. I don't think you need to spend any more money on your idea before you validate it.

You could also come up with a minimum viable product, put a simple website, and drive traffic to it and see if anyone "buys."

I hope this helped you.

 

[brighterside]

Its hard to grasp what your trying to do since there is no picture or even a drawing. Can you post a picture of your widget? Is it being patented?

 

[Alana]

Thank you both JasonR and brighterside for your responses. While I realize that having a PPA on the idea does not necessary protect me from anybody beating me to the market, I'm not terribly keen on posting pics on the thread. If you're gun-ho enough (and no offense taken if you're not), I'd be happy to attach pics to a private message.
Lastly, I am fairly level headed about this 'simple idea' overall. Do I think I might be on to something? Sure...but only sales/companies interest will tell me for sure. And while I'm not betting the farm on this product, I do want to see it through (which for me means contacting various companies about it to see if any of them bite) before I start dabbling on other ideas I have brewing. This is why I need to have a general idea of how much $ it's going to cost to produce X number of units.
Again, thanks for taking the time to respond...

 

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