How to Protect an Idea and Share It in Public at the same time to get opinions ?

29 replies
I wonder what is the best way to protect an idea for a product from others that can take it and make it a reality overnight but, at the same time to share it in public to get opinions from Experienced Marketers & Buyers regarding what is the best price to charge and maybe if is too much content into 1 product ?
#idea #opinions #protect #public #share #time
  • Profile picture of the author Oliver Williams
    You can set up a confidentiality agreement and I would recommend only contacting trusted sources.
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    • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
      Originally Posted by Oliver Williams View Post

      You can set up a confidentiality agreement and I would recommend only contacting trusted sources.
      I don't have the time to look for Trusted Sources and that is not a good way anyway... because i don't like to be contacted by random people, so i don't think those Trusted Sources will bother into signing a NDA...
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      • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
        Originally Posted by SnakeDev View Post

        I don't have the time to look for Trusted Sources and that is not a good way anyway... because i don't like to be contacted by random people, so i don't think those Trusted Sources will bother into signing a NDA...
        That's a problem there. If you don't have time to properly research your new business idea, how good of an idea can it be?

        <insert successful person's name here> would not be successful if s/he did not take the time to properly research his/her idea.

        "If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work." Thomas J Watson
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        • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
          Originally Posted by JaRyCu View Post

          That's a problem there. If you don't have time to properly research your new business idea, how good of an idea can it be?

          <insert successful person's name here> would not be successful if s/he did not take the time to properly research his/her idea.

          "If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work." Thomas J Watson
          JaRyCu,

          Thanks for your answer...

          Can you answer to this simple question :

          Would you sign an NDA and a Non Compete Agreement with someone you don't know and has no reputation, just to give your opinion about His Idea ?
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        • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
          Originally Posted by JaRyCu View Post

          That's a problem there. If you don't have time to properly research your new business idea, how good of an idea can it be?

          <insert successful person's name here> would not be successful if s/he did not take the time to properly research his/her idea.

          "If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work." Thomas J Watson
          And one more question... Do you think is a better idea to ask for opinions in the War Room at http://www.warriorforum.com/my-ideas-strategies-plans/ ? Althought, i'm still not sure who will share his info, sign an NDA and Non Compete Agreement, just to hear about it...
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          • Profile picture of the author dkovacec
            Ideas vs execution :

            Uncommon Sense. Part 7 of 8. by Derek Sivers
            hxxp://vvv.youtube.com/watch?v=QgaBvEO2LYY
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            • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
              Originally Posted by dkovacec View Post

              Ideas vs execution :

              Uncommon Sense. Part 7 of 8. by Derek Sivers
              hxxp://vvv.youtube.com/watch?v=QgaBvEO2LYY
              TryBPO & dkovacec

              To give a score to this, between 10 - 20 .... and that's why i need some opinions and maybe some help before Executing it...
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  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    You can't. Don't expose a good idea to the public. Hire a consultant who will keep the info confidential.
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    • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
      Originally Posted by mosthost View Post

      You can't. Don't expose a good idea to the public. Hire a consultant who will keep the info confidential.
      The thing is i do need People's Opinion ...

      Opinion from Experienced Warriors regarding :

      - how much to charge for something like this;
      - if is there are too much products to include into just 1 product;
      - and maybe even to find some investors/partners since this will contain a lot of Good Stuff...

      And Opinion from Buyers regarding :

      - how much will they pay for it as a One Time Fee;
      - how much will they pay for it as a Monthly Fee - with new stuff each month but from other niches...

      So, there is no way to do this without protecting the idea ?
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  • Profile picture of the author mizambar
    I'm not sure this is the answer you're looking for...

    I would NOT share it openly in public. Especially on a forum like this. I know a number of people who have had their ideas ripped off and lost out on an opportunity. It's even happened to me on my blog where I talk about a specific site/video that I created and literally TWO days later I see a bunch of competitors pop up.

    My advice would be to find one or two marketers who you trust and approach them privately to get an opinion.
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    • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
      Originally Posted by mizambar View Post

      I'm not sure this is the answer you're looking for...

      I would NOT share it openly in public. Especially on a forum like this. I know a number of people who have had their ideas ripped off and lost out on an opportunity. It's even happened to me on my blog where I talk about a specific site/video that I created and literally TWO days later I see a bunch of competitors pop up.

      My advice would be to find one or two marketers who you trust and approach them privately to get an opinion.
      Any ideas about some of those ? Who will give opinions about it and maybe even involve into it ?
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  • Profile picture of the author Exel
    Ideas cannot be protected like inventions. The world of ideas is free for everyone to use. You can protect the idea only by keeping it secret.
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  • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
    I need to share it with someone, because i haven't seen it done by now and it is too much to do for 1 man... ( just me )... and i don't have the resources to outsource them and i'm not sure if is a good idea to outsource them because they can just steal it or make variations of them...

    But at the same time if some experienced Marketers thing is a good idea, i can spend 1-2 months to do everything by myself and then give it away for free to some Respectable Members in exchange for their honest reviews...
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    • Profile picture of the author MrMysteryBox
      depending on how valuable you think the idea is, sometimes you have to put it out there to see what people are going to think....dont think people wont copy it even if you actually create it anyways
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      • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
        Originally Posted by blackfinreality View Post

        depending on how valuable you think the idea is, sometimes you have to put it out there to see what people are going to think....dont think people wont copy it even if you actually create it anyways
        It is Very Valuable and i am not sure if others will copy it since will be wayyyy to much work to do on it... but eventually it will be copied by others who have a lot of $ and just outsource everything...

        But i don't want others to copy it before i make some $ from it... That's why i'm trying to find out how to Share IT & Protect It at the same time...
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  • Profile picture of the author SandyWF
    I would say if it's a good enough idea that you're worried will be stolen keep it close to your chest. I hate to be one to be skeptical of people because not everyone would try to "screw" you out of something but not everyone has good intentions.
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  • Profile picture of the author TryBPO
    I came across some really interesting thoughts about this quite some time back and thought I'd share it with you here.

    Ideas are just a multiplier of execution.

    My thinking on this has changed pretty dramatically over the last 18 months or so. I used to believe that it was much better to keep your ideas secret...that if you found a way to make a good amount of money you should keep it quiet. Not so much anymore.

    I've found that being open, honest, and sharing as much as you can and providing valuable information to others just accelerates your own success. Yes, you'll often get copycats and there are problems that come with it, but the benefits are overwhelmingly positive.

    To answer the question, though...when it comes to an idea, it's important to look at your competitor's barrier to entry. How difficult would it be to replicate what you're doing? If it's extremely easy, add something valuable to the process or the delivery that makes it not so easy.

    For example: If you have an info product that consists of an ebook, that's pretty damn easy for someone to copy the "spirit" of your idea and sell to others as if it were their own. However, if you had a robust/active membership site that goes along with it, that's not as easy to replicate. If you offer one-on-one coaching/training that goes along with it, that injects your personality into it and if people respond well to you, that's not easy to replicate.

    Interested to hear other thoughts on this...
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    • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
      Originally Posted by TryBPO View Post

      I came across some really interesting thoughts about this quite some time back and thought I'd share it with you here.

      Ideas are just a multiplier of execution.

      My thinking on this has changed pretty dramatically over the last 18 months or so. I used to believe that it was much better to keep your ideas secret...that if you found a way to make a good amount of money you should keep it quiet. Not so much anymore.

      I've found that being open, honest, and sharing as much as you can and providing valuable information to others just accelerates your own success. Yes, you'll often get copycats and there are problems that come with it, but the benefits are overwhelmingly positive.

      To answer the question, though...when it comes to an idea, it's important to look at your competitor's barrier to entry. How difficult would it be to replicate what you're doing? If it's extremely easy, add something valuable to the process or the delivery that makes it not so easy.

      For example: If you have an info product that consists of an ebook, that's pretty damn easy for someone to copy the "spirit" of your idea and sell to others as if it were their own. However, if you had a robust/active membership site that goes along with it, that's not as easy to replicate. If you offer one-on-one coaching/training that goes along with it, that injects your personality into it and if people respond well to you, that's not easy to replicate.

      Interested to hear other thoughts on this...
      Justin or Joe ( not sure which of you have posted this ), thanks for your thoughts.

      It is not an informational product ( eBook )... is it much more then that, about 12-15 Products that i want to put into just 1 at a small price, to Over Deliver...

      I know both of you from flippa and your site ( i'm subscribed to your newsletter with one of my emails ) and you have a good reputation, so i'm willing to share my idea with you if you sign an NDA & NCA, then you can share your opinion in public without disclosing the contents or about them...

      Once you know about it, you can decide if you want to get involved or you will receive a Free Copy If/When is done anyway ...

      Let me know what you think...

      PS : I've posted a thread in the War Room --> My Ideas, Strategies & Plans but it needs to be approved by a moderator...

      Sincerely,

      Stefan V
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  • Profile picture of the author Green Moon
    As pointed out many times above, you can't protect an idea (except for the "ideas" incorporated into a patent). Frankly, even a confidentiality agreement isn't worth much because most people getting one have no capacity to pay the legal fees to bring a suit, and even in a victory in a lawsuit is pretty worthless unless you can prove money damages.

    As noted above, their is a lot to support the position that the value is not in the idea but in the execution. Often, sharing your idea with a broad group of people will help you perfect the idea and avoid costly mistakes.

    That being said, I would only reveal an idea to people who I was fairly confident would be able to add value to the idea. Putting it out on a forum for tens of thousands of people to read in the hope that a very few people will offer feedback is not a good risk/reward proposition.
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  • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
    Any ideas about some Respectable & Trusted Warriors that won't disclose it or just make it for themselves ? ( even if they won't sign NDA's or NCAs ?
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  • Ok...

    1. No offence -- but chances are your idea is not 'that' brand new. Someone else has probably thought about it before.

    2. Then there is the barriers to entry. If it is easy to copy, then it doesn't matter whether you tell someone or not -- as soon as you start making money and someone gets a whiff of it, you'll get competitors.

    3. Then there is general laziness, 'busy'ness, etc, etc. Just because you talk about an idea doesn't mean people 'will' copy you. They have their own things they are doing.

    Many people only usually start to get really interested when (a) It's proven (you are making money @ it), (b) It's easy to duplicate/rip-off/etc. If you don't fall into both of those categories, don't worry about it.
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    • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
      Originally Posted by InternetSuccess001 View Post

      Ok...

      1. No offence -- but chances are your idea is not 'that' brand new. Someone else has probably thought about it before.

      2. Then there is the barriers to entry. If it is easy to copy, then it doesn't matter whether you tell someone or not -- as soon as you start making money and someone gets a whiff of it, you'll get competitors.

      3. Then there is general laziness, 'busy'ness, etc, etc. Just because you talk about an idea doesn't mean people 'will' copy you. They have their own things they are doing.

      Many people only usually start to get really interested when (a) It's proven (you are making money @ it), (b) It's easy to duplicate/rip-off/etc. If you don't fall into both of those categories, don't worry about it.
      InternetSuccess001,

      Thanks for your honest reply. Some parts of it might not be new, but it will definately Over Deliver and will bring new things for everyone.. And it is proven that this kind of things sells and i haven't seen so much products into 1 in the WSO area or anywhere..

      I'm willing to share it and get a few honest opinions about it with Respectable Warriors and you seem one of them... Can you add me on skype for a quick chat to show you a draft of what i have and give your opinion ?
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  • Profile picture of the author TryBPO
    Hey SnakeDev!

    I definitely wish you well with your idea and if you ultimately are focused on delivering value and, ultimately, over-delivering for your customers I'm sure you'll do well.

    The honest truth is that we're pretty busy building our own business and don't have the time to review your idea. Even if I did think it was amazing/revolutionary and you had a great idea to involve us to help you follow through on it, I don't think I could find the time currently.

    I 100% agree with Green Moon that you're better off sharing the idea with people that could actually provide value to you, though. Posting it in the WF for anyone to read may not hurt you, but a very large % of people wouldn't be able to help you either, most likely.
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    • It is a good idea but i might not be able to do everything myself because this product ( will launch it as WSO ) will Over Deliver and once done, everyone will think the price is too small, even if i put a $100 price point ( which i won't )...

      Teachable moment, at least until a mod gets here:

      It's against this forum's rules to talk about a WSO you have in the works.

      fLufF
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      • Profile picture of the author SnakeDev
        Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat View Post

        It is a good idea but i might not be able to do everything myself because this product ( will launch it as WSO ) will Over Deliver and once done, everyone will think the price is too small, even if i put a $100 price point ( which i won't )...

        Teachable moment, at least until a mod gets here:

        It's against this forum's rules to talk about a WSO you have in the works.

        fLufF
        --
        Thanks for the notice, but it is just an idea for the moment and i'm just looking for opinions/advices about it and i've only shared it in Private with very few Respectable Warriors who are welcomed to share their thoughts here ( without disclosing the products of course )...

        Sincerely,

        Stefan V
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  • Profile picture of the author ianstables
    Ideas are not protected under law. It's the words you write which are protected automatically and of course designs which are patented.

    The idea of a vehicle combustion engine is not protected but rather the design.

    Ian Stables
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    This topic comes up a lot. Of course you want to be careful with your product ideas but the truth is most people are too busy working their own stuff to bother stealing your ideas. Not only that, there aren't that many new and original ideas worth trying to copy. Not saying you don't have a great idea...
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  • Profile picture of the author gasman
    Try to give as much information is needed without going overboard when doing it. Depending on the questions you need to ask, you may need to reveal some things, but never, never give away keyword information, and I would try and stir clear of even giving away your niche if it's not already a heavily competitive one.
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