The first steps you need to follow are very important. You need to have an inventor's notebook. This is where you will record all ideas related to your idea/product. This notebook should include details, drawings, any tests you perform, etc. Make sure to date each notebook entry. You also need to search for similar products or ideas as your own. You can web search "patent searches" to find this. You need to extensively research all other patents like yours and related to yours.
How are they the same? How are they different? If there are other products or ideas the same as yours, the patent will only cover what is unique about your product. You also will have to determine if you invention or idea is "novel" and "not obvious". This means that the idea has to be surprising or unexpected in some way, and a person in the particular field associated with your idea would not have considered your product or idea first.
More likely than not, you will also have to have a patent lawyer. You can do it on your own, but it will save you a lot of hassle and worry if you have an experienced lawyer by your side. Your patent lawyer should be experienced in whatever particular field your idea or product is in. Your patent lawyer will help you with your patent application, probably the most difficult part.
The next step is submitting your finished patent application to the Patent Office. Don't be discouraged, as many patents are rejected on the first try. You and your attorney can change the application and resubmit, as much as needed until your patent is approved. As soon as your application is submitted, your product or idea can officially be labeled as "patent-pending!!" Hurray!
