You've been toiling away, refining that killer product that you just know is going to be a hit as soon as it hits retail stores. You dream of the ‘As Seen On TV' infomercial that features your newest invention, but before you can set about bringing your invention to market, you'll need to learn how to properly position your invention so that it falls in the right hands. Inventions are churned out to the retail market daily; whether it's a product licensing deal or by independent means, here are ten things you need to know as you turn invention into the season's biggest hit!

1. Be realistic. No matter how excited you may be about the value of your product, it's going to fall on deaf ears without the right marketing campaign. Marketing is critical to your invention's success, and knowing how to pitch it to the right people at the right time is going take some planning and strategy.

2. Identify your marketing plan. If you're going local, make sure you're meeting with potential investors and local marketing people to get your name and idea into the right arena. If you're going national, be sure to review the competition, strategize your web launch, and plan out the release of your product appropriately.

3. Think about product licensing instead. Studies have shown that less than 10% of inventions actually make it to the retail streams. Product licensing is one way to ‘piggyback' on a larger company's successes and brand recognition. You'll need to present and pitch your invention, and will earn royalties on all sales instead of worrying about maximizing your profits from the ground up. Royalties may range from 3%-7% of net sales, and can really help you capture the right market with a limited investment.

4. Run a test. You can pick your own sample, see how people react to it, obtain testimonials, and use the data as part of your marketing pitch. Customer responses can be a very valuable resource to gauge the viability of your product.

5. Design a prototype and sample sell. This will be a part of your test marketing strategy, and having the prototype readily available will help you make final changes or tweaks before mass production begins.

6. Design attractive packaging. Many first-time inventors overlook how important this part of the product design is, and it can truly make or break your product on any shelf space or trade show.

7. Get it notarized. If it's a unique invention with potential for a patent, make sure you have it time stamped and dated by the appropriate authorities so that it cannot be imitated easily as you release it. You can easily run a patent search online to review similar products or inventions.

8. Create a non-disclosure form. This will be a binding agreement between yourself and anyone that you share your invention with. It's important that you use this during presentations or other instances where you reveal the new idea or product; this can include product evaluators, manufacturers, and packaging designers so be well-prepared.

9. Make sure your patents are in process. It's essential that your invention is well protected, especially during the initial phases of the product launch. A provisional patent will hold your idea for one year. A non-provisional patent can be filed if the initial patent application was rejected; although it can take up to two years to approve, it will be yours for twenty years and is considered a personal asset.

10. Consider hiring a sales team to grow your business. Your product can be the top of people's minds faster and more efficiently with a targeted market campaign. With the wealth of resources available on the internet, it's easier than ever to set up a sales force using blogging tools, websites, and online shopping distribution outlets. Consider any and all options when creating your strategic marketing campaign, and don't overlook the power of the internet to spread your marketing wings! In addition, a ‘street team' can help you generate enough interest and excitement about your product at key events; learn to network with local organizations claim a spot at the best avenues for launching your brand.

Your invention can be a roaring success with the right marekting and sales initiatives in place; this can be a part of your overall business plan, and setting up a company specifically for your invention's sales and future products is another option for many startups. If you launch with a website presence, be sure to make use of all the tools and channels available; selling online has become easier with the advent of blogs, forums, and even YouTube commercials that can help you position your brand effectively!