Many of the pointers suggested in advertising and letter-writing will equally apply to the writing and getting up of the circulars, and need not be treated further here, except that the patentee should dwell especially upon the merits of the invention, its uses, and advantages over like articles. This should be done in the most interesting manner possible, describing it so that its value will be fully understood.
Uses of Printed Copies.
It will be well for the patentee to order some printed copies of his patent, as manufacturers and others usually ask for them if interested, in order that they may examine the patent, or have an expert to examine it, to ascertain its validity, novelty, and[p. 52] what protection is really afforded by the patent. It cannot be denied that in either case the invention will suffer a cold-blooded rigid examination, and must stand or fall solely upon its merits. If, however, the invention is adjudged to have real merit and properly protected by the Letters Patent, business negotiations will likely begin, and the patentee will perhaps speedily make a satisfactory deal.
First Impressions All-Important.
Some inventors use printed copies of their patents instead of circulars, but, while they fully set forth the invention in a technical way, it cannot be said that in all cases it is advisable to send copies of the patent until called for. Many parties who become interested in patents are not familiar with mechanical drawings and technical specifications, and very often do not get a very favorable impression from a copy of the patent; and it is very important that the first impressions should be favorably created, for upon this much will depend. If parties become sufficiently interested to fully investigate an invention, they are very apt to form a favorable opinion of it.
Value of Models.
There is no way of so easily creating a favorable impression and gaining the interest in an invention as by a neat and perfect working model of the invention. Man never loses the child-love for toys, and[p. 53] a perfect miniature machine of any description will attract more attention than one of full size. With a model the inventor has the full and immediate attention of his prospective purchasers at once. If the patentee, or his agent, intends visiting manufacturers, or to sell the patent by territorial rights, he will find a model of his invention almost indispensable.
Inventors should be very careful about sending models to unknown parties, and should mark the number of the patent and their name and address upon the model. It should invariably be understood in advance who is to pay the transportation charges, before sending a model with any charges to collect.
While models are very helpful in setting forth an invention and making sales, high prices exclude many inventors from their use. Model-makers usually charge fifty cents per hour for each man working upon the model, and market price for the material used; from these figures the inventor may make a rough estimate of what a model of his invention will cost.
Working Drawings.