Innovator FAQ

So how do I get started?

To get started, just sign-up for an account and click create your own product. Depending on how developed your idea is, you may want to upload at either the kickoff or the pre-sale stage.

Kick-off Stage

The kick-off stage works as a platform for collaboration. Here, you can get feedback on your ideas and meet potential partners who may be able to work with you to develop the idea before moving into the pre-sale stage.

Pre-Sale Stage

If your idea is ready to go, you can get started with pre-sales. This is where you launch your product by getting your new customers to pre-order the product. If you reach your pre-sale goal, their payments will be taken and these will cover the cost of production - along with some profit for yourself of course.

What does it cost?

It doesn't cost anything to create a Product Page. And if your product doesn't achieve its Pre-Sales Goal there is no cost at all.

If your product does reach the Pre-Sales Goal then getitmade receives 10% of the money raised through pre-sales (which is a lot less than most internet retailers charge for retailing established products).

What if I need help from a designer, engineer or other individual during kickoff?

getitmade is a place for you to meet professionals who can help get your product ready to sell.

How do I know what my pre-sale goal should be?

The pre-sale goal will depend very much on what your product is and how many you need to sell in your first manufactured batch.

We will help you get in touch with manufacturers, who will quote prices for you and help you to understand what an appropriate minimum order levels at each price will be. It is then up to you to decide what is an appropriate price, volume and time frame for your first order.

How do I find people to pledge to buy my product?

This is where your own network and promotion skills will come in. Tell your friends about your product on Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else online or offline. Ask them to tell their friends about your new idea. Contact groups who you think will be interested in your product. How you get the word out is up to you.

What about protecting my ideas?

We understand that your idea is all you've got in the early stages and that there is a balance between promoting your new idea and giving it all away. You retain ownership of your ideas and your intellectual property rights.

With getitmade, you can upload as much or as little as you want about your new product idea and you can choose the appropriate time to upload the product, so that you can gain the benefits, without the risk of losing ownership of the idea.

If you think your idea is patentable, we recommend speaking with a patent agent and researching the laws in your country to understand what is appropriate to upload at various stages in the patent application process.

For more tips and links to people who can help, visit our community pages.

Promoting your product on getitmade

Your product's title and description are important. Try writing the description in a way that makes your customers understand and associate themselves with your product. Be clear about your product's features and benefits.

Your product images

Great images help sell your product. When choosing promotional images, consider the following:

1. Be your own customer.
2. Is the product visible in all its glory?
3. A white background focuses attention onto your product.
4. We recommend having images with a 4 by 3 aspect ratio.
5. Different angles help the customer to see the product from all its sides, so they can better visualise the proportions in their own environment.
6. Lifestyle shots are great, especially aspirational images.

Should I make a video?

Videos make products more engaging, and you don't have to be a video expert to make a good one. Simply be personal and describe your product. Put yourself in front of the camera so that people know who you are. Show sketches, prototypes and the final product your are selling. Let your video draw people into your creative process.

Tips for video content

1. Introduce yourself.
2. Describe and show your product.
3. Tell your story.
4. Ask for people's support to make your product a reality.
5. Say thank you!

A description of your background helps your customers have more a personal association with you. They are more likely to buy your product if they buy into you and your product vision.

Your video should be no longer than 5 minutes, preferably aim for 2-3 minutes - long enough to describe you and your product and short enough to keep your customers attention.

Last updated: 10 January 2012