Consult a patent attorney

Intellectual property firms or patent attorneys can advise you on how to market your patent or present it in a manner most attractive to buyers.

I recommend: Contact an intellectual property law firm such as ThinkFire or search the Findlaw lawyer directory for a patent attorney near you.

Market your patent online

Sure, some potential patent buyers do scan the list of new patents, but you're more likely to sell your idea by placing it in an auction or exchange.

I recommend: The details and fees for each site vary, but online sites such as Free Patent Auction, IP Market Holdings, Idea Trade Network, Shop4Patents.com, and ipAuctions generally let you post information about your patent, describe its potential use, set a price or ask for bids, and set an expiration date for an open auction.

Use an auctioneer

The auction sites listed above are passive; they rely on bidders on finding you. Ocean Tomo, an intellectual capital merchant bank, hosts two live patent auctions a year that bring bidders together and can create excitement and competition for your invention.

I recommend: Sign up to have your invention pitched to a live audience by Ocean Tomo. Even if the bids don't meet your asking price, you'll find out what level of interest buyers have and may able to work out a deal after the auction.