Developing a Brilliant New Product Idea

Coming up with a brilliant new product idea is a thrill like none other. However, the true work begins after you’ve come up with your big idea. Bringing a product out of the idea phase, through the creation process, and into retail stores is challenging. These 9 steps provide a blueprint you can follow to get it done.
1. Solidify Your Idea
A vague concept for a new product line isn’t enough. To really wow investors, collaborators, and customers, you’re going to have to get specific. If you need help with this, consider employing the help of the SCAMPER method.
It stands for substitute, combine, adapt, modify, put to another use, eliminate, and reverse or rearrange. Going through this process will give you a better understanding of how your product line will create unique value for your customers.
2. Identify Demand
Having a great idea isn’t enough to launch a product line. You also have to identify where the demand for that product will come from. Figuring this out now will save you from a scenario of rushing into production only to realize that there’s no market for your creation.
3. Survey Customers
Surveying the customers who you intend to target is one of the best ways to figure out what about your product line appeals to them, and what doesn’t. Completing this step will give you valuable insight that will apply to the entirety of your creative process.
4. Analyze Search Trends
Search trend data is another tool you should utilize in the early stages of the product creation process. This information can tell you what customers are excited about in the industry you’re targeting. You’ll develop a better understanding of what you can do to make your product stand out from those you’re competing with.
5. Create a Prototype
After you’ve developed your idea and identified the demand it’s supposed to meet, the next step is to create a prototype. This can involve sketching out your ideas on paper, creating a digital prototype, and building a physical prototype. The goal here is to create a replica of what you intend to sell your customers once production moves into full swing.
6. Test and Validate Your Prototypes
Once you’ve built your prototype, it’s time to begin testing it on the customers you intend to sell it to. Given consumers an opportunity to try your product out in a controlled setting. These tests are an excellent opportunity to gain additional feedback, which can shape your future product designs.
7. Begin Production
You’re finally ready to move onto production. Here, you have an important decision to make about who you’re going to partner with. Picking the right manufacturer is as important a step as any in the product creation process. Make sure to carefully consider all of your options before moving forward.
8. Launch Your Product
Your product’s launch is one of the most important steps in this process. It comes after months or even years of your dedicated efforts. Make sure you put some thought into how you launch your product, even if part of you wants to release it into the world as quickly as possible.
Accomplishing this will require a well-rounded marketing plan. Each of your channels should be working in sync with one another to deliver uniform results across all platforms. For the best results, you should utilize email marketing, Facebook ads, paid search ads, and influencer marketing.
9. Gather Feedback
Once your product has launched, the creation process isn’t actually over. You can still help your product succeed by gathering feedback and implementing it into your marketing and manufacturing processes. Use your experienced sales reps for this as they are the front line. Doing this will allow you to continually refine your product line, setting it up for lasting success.