- Protect your idea from theft by filing for a
copyright or patent. Consult an attorney who specializes in this type of law or
apply on your own.
- Prepare a comprehensive presentation. Don't
tell; show. Put together a dog and pony show that offers a visual tour of your idea using features and benefits
(consumers will save time and money when they buy this product). Make your
pitch unique and informative. Get help from a marketing pro if you're not
comfortable creating this yourself.
- Set up a pitch appointment. Write a letter, send an e-mail
or call Company's corporate headquarters. Make an appointment with a manager
in the new product development department (your best bet) or someone on the
research and development team . Tack a return receipt request to a mailed
query.
- Follow your written communication with a
phone call. Avoid giving specific details about your idea over the phone.
Politely insist on an in-person meeting. Assure your contact that your
presentation will be short and to the point. Suggest available dates for
visiting the company. Calendar the date and send a confirming note.
- Prepare -- or have an attorney prepare for
you -- a nondisclosure form. Companies with interests in
proprietary designs are familiar with nondisclosures and understand an
inventor's need limit their idea's exposure.
- Rehearse your presentation to eliminate
non-essential, irrelevant elements. Draft a list of questions your audience is likely to ask and be prepared to refute doubts and sell the merits
of your idea. Ask friends to critique your pitch and throw questions your way
to test your response reaction.
- Observe courtesy and professional protocols
during your time on the campus. Arrive on time or a few minutes early.
Introduce yourself before asking attendees to sign nondisclosure statements.
Bring plenty of handouts.
- Be prepared to discuss licensing or sales
options. Is your goal to sell your idea outright, giving up all claims to the
product or do you want to license the idea and receive royalties based on
sales? Corporate policies may preclude one or the other, but be ready for this
topic if it comes up for discussion.
- Allow attendees an opportunity to
"drive" your idea while you are in the room so you can answer questions.
Conclude your meeting at the agreed upon time and thank everyone for meeting
with you. It's OK to follow up with a phone call if you've heard nothing from
your Company contact after a few weeks.
- Avoid
scam artists offering to pitch your idea to a company for a fee. If you are
considering an intermediary, investigate the company on the Internet or contact
the Better Business Bureau before you take action.
Avoid scam artists
offering to pitch your idea to Microsoft for a fee. If you are
considering an intermediary, investigate the company on the Internet or
contact the Better Business Bureau before you take action.
Read more :
http://www.ehow.com/how_4854682_sell-idea-microsoft.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4854682_sell-ea-microsoft.html
Protect your
idea from theft by filing for a copyright or patent. Software is
considered intellectual property and, as such, it may require both.
Consult an attorney who specializes in this type of law or apply on your
own. Find a do-it-yourself link at the end of this article.
Prepare a comprehensive presentation. Don't tell; show. Put together a
dog and pony show that offers a visual tour of your software idea using
features (this software is virus-proof) and benefits (consumers will
save time and money when they buy this software). Make your pitch unique
and informative. Get help from a marketing pro if you're not
comfortable creating this yourself.
Visit the Microsoft website to see if the company is currently
running its signature Ideas Win contest. This competition isn't run
every year but when it is, anyone can enter. Entries are judged on
originality, marketing, financial and logistical feasibility plus the
public interest of an inventor's idea. Use this portal if it's available
to pitch your idea.
Set up a pitch appointment. Write a letter (Microsoft Corporation,
One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399), send e-mail or call
Microsoft's corporate headquarters. Make an appointment with a manager
in the new product development department (your best bet) or someone on
the research and development team . Tack a return receipt request to a
mailed query.
Follow your written communication with a phone call. Avoid giving
specific details about your idea over the phone. Politely insist on an
in-person meeting. Assure your contact that your presentation will be
short and to the point. Suggest available dates for visiting Redmond.
Calendar the date and send a confirming note.
Prepare -- or have an attorney prepare for you -- a nondisclosure
form. Microsoft and other companies with interests in proprietary
designs are familiar with nondisclosures and understand an inventor's
need limit their idea's exposure.
Rehearse your presentation to eliminate non-essential, irrelevant
elements. Draft a list of questions your Microsoft audience is likely to
ask and be prepared to refute doubts and sell the merits of your idea.
Ask friends to critique your pitch and throw questions your way to test
your response reaction.
Observe courtesy and professional protocols during your time on the
Microsoft campus. Resist the temptation to replicate the company's
laid-back dress code. Arrive on time or a few minutes early. Introduce
yourself before asking attendees to sign nondisclosure statements. Bring
plenty of handouts.
Be prepared to discuss licensing or sales options. Is your goal to
sell your idea outright, giving up all claims to the product or do you
want to license the idea and receive royalties based on sales? Corporate
policies may preclude one or the other, but be ready for this topic if
it comes up for discussion.
Allow attendees an opportunity to "drive" your software while you are
in the room so you can answer questions. Conclude your meeting at the
agreed upon time and thank everyone for meeting with you. It's OK to
follow up with a phone call if you've heard nothing from your Microsoft
contact after a few weeks.
Read more :
http://www.ehow.com/how_4854682_sell-idea-microsoft.html
Protect your
idea from theft by filing for a copyright or patent. Software is
considered intellectual property and, as such, it may require both.
Consult an attorney who specializes in this type of law or apply on your
own. Find a do-it-yourself link at the end of this article.
Prepare a comprehensive presentation. Don't tell; show. Put together a
dog and pony show that offers a visual tour of your software idea using
features (this software is virus-proof) and benefits (consumers will
save time and money when they buy this software). Make your pitch unique
and informative. Get help from a marketing pro if you're not
comfortable creating this yourself.
Visit the Microsoft website to see if the company is currently
running its signature Ideas Win contest. This competition isn't run
every year but when it is, anyone can enter. Entries are judged on
originality, marketing, financial and logistical feasibility plus the
public interest of an inventor's idea. Use this portal if it's available
to pitch your idea.
Set up a pitch appointment. Write a letter (Microsoft Corporation,
One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399), send e-mail or call
Microsoft's corporate headquarters. Make an appointment with a manager
in the new product development department (your best bet) or someone on
the research and development team . Tack a return receipt request to a
mailed query.
Follow your written communication with a phone call. Avoid giving
specific details about your idea over the phone. Politely insist on an
in-person meeting. Assure your contact that your presentation will be
short and to the point. Suggest available dates for visiting Redmond.
Calendar the date and send a confirming note.
Prepare -- or have an attorney prepare for you -- a nondisclosure
form. Microsoft and other companies with interests in proprietary
designs are familiar with nondisclosures and understand an inventor's
need limit their idea's exposure.
Rehearse your presentation to eliminate non-essential, irrelevant
elements. Draft a list of questions your Microsoft audience is likely to
ask and be prepared to refute doubts and sell the merits of your idea.
Ask friends to critique your pitch and throw questions your way to test
your response reaction.
Observe courtesy and professional protocols during your time on the
Microsoft campus. Resist the temptation to replicate the company's
laid-back dress code. Arrive on time or a few minutes early. Introduce
yourself before asking attendees to sign nondisclosure statements. Bring
plenty of handouts.
Be prepared to discuss licensing or sales options. Is your goal to
sell your idea outright, giving up all claims to the product or do you
want to license the idea and receive royalties based on sales? Corporate
policies may preclude one or the other, but be ready for this topic if
it comes up for discussion.
Allow attendees an opportunity to "drive" your software while you are
in the room so you can answer questions. Conclude your meeting at the
agreed upon time and thank everyone for meeting with you. It's OK to
follow up with a phone call if you've heard nothing from your Microsoft
contact after a few weeks.
Read more :
http://www.ehow.com/how_4854682_sell-idea-microsoft.html