tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64208071765993805542024-03-14T06:58:13.082-04:00Software Marketing Resource ArticlesYou wrote the code, now how do you sell it?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-73633634406017680062012-11-01T09:49:00.000-04:002012-11-01T09:49:00.230-04:00How to Surf Smartly<div class="MsoNormal">
Surfing the Net used to be footloose and fancy free but all
that has changed radically over the last few years. As the major players in the
Internet space, whether it be search, e-commerce, or social media, become ever
more powerful, you, the Internet surfer become weaker. And by weaker, I mean
compromised.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Each time you surf the Net you leave a little bit of
yourself behind and slowly but surely your privacy is stripped away. There are
people whose naivety has resulted in them posting information about themselves
online on such sites as Facebook. When this sometimes innocuous behavior or
uncommon hobby is revealed by a current or future employer it means the end of
their relationship with that party.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are others who are somewhat aware of the dangers
lurking in cyberspace and would like to be more circumspect when surfing the
Net. They are sick of pop-up ads appearing and destroying their on screen real
estate every time they have made an innocent query. These are people who For those of you who do want to avail
themselves of the advantages and multitude of uses of the of the Internet yet
do not want to become victim to its gatekeepers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For these people there is a solution and it is a solution
that is cheap, easy to implement, and simple to use. To defend yourself from
prying eyes when surfing the Internet all you need do is surf via a proxy server.
“What is a proxy server?” I hear you ask. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s briefly explain what transpires when you conduct a web
search. You type in the search parameters to your search engine of choice which
sends that data to a server which gathers the relevant responses which are then
passed on to you or more specifically, your IP address. This enables those who
control and monitor the Net to know who searches for what from where and to
tailor responses to your queries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Using a proxy server, your search query is routed to a proxy
server, which may even be located in another country, which forwards the query
on. The responses are received by the proxy server and forwarded to you.
Consequently, your IP address is hidden and your privacy protected.<br />
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Author bio: This article was written by the Proxy Toolbar Company <a href="http://www.geosurf.com/" target="_new">GeoSurf</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-30143787427882715672012-10-25T09:46:00.000-04:002012-10-25T09:46:00.048-04:00Software Monetization Tools<br />
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Computers are an indispensable part of today’s world. They
are found almost everywhere and are responsible for amazing increases in
productivity and efficiency. The extent that we rely on our computers is
usually only apparent when they malfunction. Then, just like when we wake up in
the morning feeling sick, and long to feel good like when we are healthy, do we
realize how dependent we are on these technological marvels. However, what
would a computer be without software?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Why do you think that Microsoft, SAP, and Oracle rank as
some of the largest companies in the world? It’s called software. Software is a
highly lucrative business. Why? Because once the software is created, it can be
replicated almost infinitely at very little additional cost. For software
multinationals with the financial clout to design new software, the marketing
of their new product is handled by their marketing departments. However, for
individual or small teams of software developers, whose expertise is usually
limited to creating software and not marketing, getting their product
recognized and accepted in the market is a huge task. And, who’s kidding who,
what use is it creating the world’s next must have program, if you can’t sell
it? This is where software monetization comes into play.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Software monetization is the task of making money from your
software and it invariably involves the appropriate marketing of your software.
As a small fish in an ocean of sharks, you have to nimble and smart to get
ahead and make your product stand out. This can be achieved in many different
ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps this is not what Isaac Newton intended when penning
the famous quote, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulder of
giants,” however, by bundling your software with a better known piece of
software, you can use their already established market to gain quicker and
greater market penetration than attempting to go it alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Whether as a standalone operation or in conjunction with
bundling, you can divide your software into different versions with different
features and price points. This enables buyers or potential buyers to get a
feel for your product offering before fully committing. Similarly, you can
integrate a dynamic installer into your software to facilitate quicker and more
stable downloads as well as accessing revenues from Tier 1 advertisers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All these software monetization options will cost you money
in revenue share but will save you money in the short and medium term in
marketing costs and should provide quicker market penetration than what you
could’ve achieved on your own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Author bio: This article was written by software marketing experts at <a href="http://www.somoto.net/" target="_new">Somoto</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-63009691473348949322012-10-18T09:45:00.001-04:002012-10-18T10:15:18.278-04:00What to Look Out for When Marketing Your New Software<br />
You have invested your heart and soul into your latest piece of software. You are proud of your achievement but even more than that you are sure that you have created something that the world needs. However, this is where the real work starts – getting the word out amongst your target users that there is a new kid on the block and he not only deserves to be given a chance but must be given a chance, because it’s their loss if they are not going to use your product.<br />
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Such arrogance will not be tolerated when marketing your software but if you don’t believe in yourself and your “baby” then who will? There are many things of which you must be aware when marketing your new software, starting with the old adage that if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.<br />
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In many respects, the marketing profession is the polar opposite of the software developer profession. Marketers are usually brash, big talking salesmen – the antithesis of programmers. And although there are many reputable practitioners, there are also fly by nighters who will promise the earth and deliver little. Do not be swayed by a pushy, fast talking software marketer. Take your time, do your research, and make sure that they not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.<br />
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As a software developer, you may be best sticking with people of your own kind – software developers. There are software developers who have developed successful products, crossed the chasm, and incorporated a marketing arm to their business plan. By bundling your software offering with their product you can leverage off their already established marketing capabilities and captive market. These people will speak your language and appreciate your situation. It is almost always easier to deal with such people.<br />
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Another marketing ploy is to offer you access to Tier 1 advertisers. Not every company is capable of providing this caliber of advertiser. Being associated with such advertisers gives your product a credibility that it so desperately needs when entering the market. Similarly, they guarantee that your software will remain pristine. This means that when it is downloaded, it will not be with unwelcome additions such as malware, spyware, and the like.<br />
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Marketing your new software can be and should be a positive experience. Be cautious, do your due diligence, and trust your instincts, and the marketing of your new software should be as successful as the software itself.<br />
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Author bio: This article was written by software marketing experts at <a href="http://www.somotoinc.com" target="_new">Somoto</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-22811619669874770262012-05-14T16:28:00.000-04:002012-05-14T16:28:55.323-04:00BitsDuJour 100% Off PromotionsBitsDuJour is known for it's 50% to 90% off exclusive software discounts, we have lots of
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and attentive comment moderation that you've come to expect from Bits. That part is on us :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-34785262154750951882011-06-02T07:37:00.002-04:002011-06-02T07:41:51.500-04:00eSellerate Announces Integration with Amazon FulfillmenteSellerate announced today that software vendors now have the ability to send shipping requests directly to Amazon Fulfillment. Software Vendors manage their Amazon account separately, but he tie-in is an interesting alternative to existing fullfilment methods. This marks eSellerate as the first of the software e-commerce platforms to implement this feature, will others follow suit, or has eSellerate delivered something unique?<br /><br />"Normally, publishers selling physical products through eSellerate take care of all the fulfillment duties, from receiving shipping requests to shipping the products and marking the orders as fulfilled. As an alternative, we now offer the ability to integrate with Amazon Fulfillment, a service that enables merchants to outsource fulfillment of their products. Publishers who use this option can set up their eSellerate stores to send fulfillment requests to Amazon when orders require shipping. After shipping the items, Amazon sends "Your order has shipped" e-mails to the customers, and notifies eSellerate that fulfillment is complete. We then mark the orders as fulfilled." - eSellerateAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-77377816110419537712011-04-05T12:17:00.002-04:002014-04-17T08:35:03.060-04:00The Definitive Marketing Jargon List<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; "></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This is a submission from Hunter Richards, who blogs about online accounting software and other systems for Software Advice.</i></p><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; ">Streamline business processes. Enhance workflow. Increase visibility. Do these really mean anything? Let’s face it – ERP, CRM, and <a href="http://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/online-accounting-software-comparison/" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(98, 100, 99); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; ">accounting system</a> vendors talk a lot of nonsense about their products. Inspired by <a href="http://www.gartner.com/technology/home.jsp" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(98, 100, 99); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Gartner</a>‘s magic quadrants, I’ve decided to put this marketing jargon in its place. The quadrant below classifies the most common phrases, sorted by degree of overuse and lack of meaning. Hover your mouse over a given phrase to see my snarky comments.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; "><iframe frameborder="0" height="522" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.softwareadvice.com/jargon-map.php" width="590" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: right; "></iframe></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; font-weight: normal; ">Note that we find a lot of straight-up gibberish, a fair amount of creative garbage (my favorite), a little bit of acceptable marketing, and no helpful description whatsoever. No wonder the software selection process is so grueling. But hey, that’s what we’re here for – to dig through all the fluff. So, what methodology did I use, you ask? Well… it was purely subjective. Don’t like how I judged your favorite phrase? Leave me a comment.</p><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p class="MsoNormal"><i>This originally appeared on the Software Advice blog: <a href="http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/accounting/a-war-of-enlightenment-against-marketing-jargon-1040411/">A War of Enlightenment Against Marketing Jargon</a>.</i></p></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-80326714558409509492011-03-01T10:41:00.003-05:002011-03-01T10:46:29.721-05:00Upcoming Software ConferencesThis season's upcoming software conferences are as follows:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Affiliate Summit East 2011</span><br />New York, NY<br />August 21-23, 2011<br /><a href="http://www.affiliatesummit.com/">http://www.affiliatesummit.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">WordCamp</span><br />Conferences several locations<br />Seattle, Washington, April 16, 2011<br />Atlanta, Georgia, May 6-7, 2011<br />Orange, California, May 14, 2011<br />Raleigh, North Carolina, May 21-22, 2011<br /><a href="http://central.wordcamp.org/schedule/">http://central.wordcamp.org/schedule/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ISDEF Spring 2011</span><br />Independent Software Developers Forum<br />Kiev, Ukraine<br />April 22-24, 2011<br /><a href="http://www.isdef.org/en/conference/">http://www.isdef.org/en/conference/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2011</span><br />Los Angeles, California<br />July 10-14, 2011<br /><a href="http://www.digitalwpc.com/">http://www.digitalwpc.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Business of Software 2011</span><br />Boston, Massachusetts<br />October 24-26, 2011<br /><a href="http://blog.businessofsoftware.org/2011/01/business-of-s oftware-2011-dates-announced.html">http://blog.businessofsoftware.org/2011/01/business-of-s<br />oftware-2011-dates-announced.html</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">European Software Conference</span><br />London, England<br />November 19-20, 2011<br /><a href="http://www.euroconference.org/">http://www.euroconference.org/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">SIC</span><br />Software Industry Conference<br />TBD - After 20 years the conference may not go ahead this year<br /><a href="http://sic.org/">http://sic.org/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-85870039220428405622011-02-18T19:01:00.005-05:002011-02-18T19:09:33.443-05:00Digital River rolls out New ReportsNews from both eSellerate and SWReg. Both of these Digital River software ecommerce platforms have sent notice that they will be rolling out new "Business Intelligence" reports come April 1st. As they've used that same name on both platforms could this finally be the start of some commonality between two of Digital River's many ecommerce platforms? We will find out soon!<br /><br />Here's the note from eSellerate:<br /><br />-------<br /><br />We know you need quick access to comprehensive data and insightful reporting. We also know that you need to spend your time on proactive efforts to increase your revenue. Our new reporting system will do that—providing access to actionable data to give you increased insight into managing your business. You will have more ways to look at trends in your business and take action to grow your sales. Our goal is provide you with access to what you need, when you need it. <br /> <br />While the new Business Intelligence Reporting will provide you with quick access to the data you need, we know that with any change, you may have questions about this new solution. To assist you in the transition to the new Business Intelligence reporting happening on April 1, 2011, we will be here to answer any questions you might have.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-46412561141086229802011-02-11T15:20:00.001-05:002011-02-11T15:22:58.742-05:00iPortis pull the plug on PayPaliPortis, one of the e-commerce companies that software vendors use to sell their products have taken the unusual step on pulling the plug on their PayPal integration. We've all had customer service nightmares with big companies but it's not that often that these get reflected in business arrangements. <br /><br />Here's what iPortis had to say...<br /><br />---<br /><br />This message is to let you know about changes to our platform starting on February 13th at midnight (EST).<br /><br />As you are aware, we offer your customers a wide range of purchase methods to make the purchase of your products as easy as possible.<br /><br />Over the last 6 months, we have been working with PayPal to improve our relationship with them, as the level of customer service and support we have received from them over the last few years has been less than we would have expected, or hoped.<br /><br />We have decided to move away from offering PayPal as a purchase option at this time until they are able to demonstrate they are capable of providing the level of service we require in order to provide you the best service possible. We will continue to work with PayPal going forward in order to possibly provide it as a payment option in the near future, and will keep you updated with our progress.<br /><br />In order to continue to provide you the best service possible, we have recently launched a service option that will allow you to process PayPal orders through your own PayPal account, and leverage iPortis.com to provide a fill-service fulfillment option so that our system can create an Order ID number, registration codes, and use our reporting system as well.<br /><br />To learn more about this service, please visit <a href="http://www.iportis.com/fulfillment.php">http://www.iportis.com/fulfillment.php </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-41663313844258703612011-01-17T20:19:00.006-05:002011-02-11T15:23:39.925-05:00How to survive as a Software Reseller<p><em>This is a guest post by Hunter Richards, who writes on the <a href="http://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/online-accounting-software-comparison/">Software Advice</a> blog.</em></p><p>When Bob Dylan sang, “The times, they are a changin’,” he probably wasn’t thinking about value-added resellers (VARs). But VARs should pay attention all the same. VARs have traditionally made money selling and servicing on-premises systems, but now cloud computing is poised to rain on their parade. VARs will need to adapt to compete in the times ahead.</p><br /><p>Over the next five to ten years, opportunities to resell software and hardware will dwindle as more companies adopt cloud-based systems. Processes for software procurement, implementation, and training will change. VARs must change their current service offerings to be successful in this new market. Let’s examine what’s happening to VAR revenue sources.</p><br /><table id="wp-table-reloaded-id-59-no-1" class="wp-table-reloaded wp-table-reloaded-id-59" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr class="odd row-1"><td class="column-1">Software Sales</td><td class="column-2"><center><img src="http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arrow-down-red.png"></center></td><td class="column-3">Integration</td><td class="column-4"><center><img src="http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arrow-leftright.png"></center></td></tr><tr class="even row-2"><td class="column-1">Hardware Sales</td><td class="column-2"><center><img src="http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arrow-down-red.png"></center></td><td class="column-3">Customization/Configuration</td><td class="column-4"><center><img src="http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arrow-leftright.png"></center></td></tr><tr class="odd row-3"><td class="column-1">Installation</td><td class="column-2"><center><img src="http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arrow-down-red.png"></center></td><td class="column-3">Training/Change Management</td><td class="column-4"><center><img src="http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arrow-leftright.png"></center></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><strong>Software resale</strong> has comprised a large portion of VAR cash flow. But cloud vendors have adopted a consumerized sales approach, emphasizing simplicity in the purchasing process and selling directly to customers. Also, without the need for hardware set-up and other ancillary services, local resellers are less important. Resale opportunities will decline, but new opportunities will arise.</p><br /><p><strong>Hardware resale</strong> opportunities will also decline. With cloud-based systems, servers are no longer installed on-premises – so this revenue will vanish. Desktop computer sales will be fewer and far between. Because cloud-based systems require less memory and processing power than on-premises ones, desktops will require less frequent replacement and will be sold at lower price points.</p><br /><p><strong>Installation servi</strong><strong>ces</strong> will be less relevant. Cloud-based systems require no software installation, so this opportunity will not exist in cloud computing. Some installation services, such as installing desktop systems or a new network, will still be in demand. But in general, VARs will need to move away from this type of service toward other opportunities.</p><br /><p><strong>Integration services</strong> will decline, but the process will be gradual. Cloud-based systems require fewer points of integration and offer better control over how customizations affect integration, so cloud-based apps will eventually be easier to integrate than on-premises systems. That’s not to say that cloud-based systems are easier to integrate today, but we believe they will be over time.</p><br /><p><strong>Customization and configuration services</strong> will persist, but they won’t escape the need to adapt. VARs can’t customize cloud-based systems to the extent of on-premises solutions. Today, there isn’t a huge opportunity in customizing most cloud systems. It’s just a matter of time, however, before customization tools for cloud systems mature and demand for these implementation services grows.</p><br /><p><strong>Training services</strong> will change. A cloud-based system’s user interface (UI) is typically easier to use, so less training is required. For on-premises systems with more complex UIs, companies have needed training services from a local advisor – the VAR. But with the ease of new cloud-based systems, this will no longer be the case. Still, VARs can offer more sophisticated training to hold on to this revenue.</p><br /><p>Adaptation and creativity are the keys to staying relevant in a moving market. Luckily, VARs have many opportunities to re-focus their business strategies.</p><br /><p><strong>The VAR Survival Playbook</strong><br><br />In this evolving market, VARs need to offer more sophisticated services and embrace the coming changes to avoid being left behind. Partnership with a successful cloud vendor is essential, but vendors are finite. That’s why there’s a land grab going on. The strategic VAR will enter the brawl now and get to these vendors before competitors can.</p><br /><p>The ideal cloud partner for the VAR will have three key attributes:</p><br /><ul><li>a bright outlook such that their product will be in demand;</li><li>plans to develop a VAR channel in addition to selling directly; and</li><li>partner support in the form of software development kits (SDKs), co-marketing and training.</li></ul><p>But the territorial victory of partnership is only the beginning of the cloud transition. Next, VARs should make five bold moves to gain a sturdy foothold in the market. </p><br /><p><strong> 1. Specialize.</strong> Narrow your focus to a vertical market or application category, rather than defining your company by its geographic territory. Cloud vendors are still building up their core applications, so the industry-specific capabilities aren’t yet up to par with those of on-premises systems like Microsoft Dynamics and Epicor. Be the first to develop vertical extensions for a major cloud-based system, and learn to speak the buyer’s language. Alternatively, gain expertise with one application category, such as business intelligence or accounting.</p><br /><p><strong>2. Develop competency on a leading Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).</strong> You’ve probably learned at least one SDK for on-premises systems. Now you must do the same for new cloud products. Learn and specialize in the developer tools for a cloud-based platform like SuiteFlex (NetSuite) or Force.com (Salesforce.com). You can build your own applications and customizations, and then market them. You’ll build credibility in the eyes of both vendors and customers. The time is now to invest in cutting-edge skills for the future before it’s too late.</p><br /><p><strong>3. Make the cloud’s efficiency work for you.</strong> Just as the centralized nature of cloud-based software benefits customers, it can also benefit VARs. With cloud-based systems, there’s far less need to send staff to the site. Use the extra time to start an internal, centralized sales team serving a broader territory. You can become as good at inside sales – or better than – the ISV. ISVs respect sales machines. The same applies to service. Retrain your team to service customers remotely, such that they can serve multiple clients in a day.</p><br /><p><strong>4. Offer technology-enabled services.</strong> Because cloud-based systems are accessible anywhere, it’s easier to become a seamless extension of the customer’s organization. Offer business process outsourcing. Some core business processes – accounting, for example – are essential, but don’t offer competitive advantage. Develop internal competencies so customers can outsource these operations to you. If you’re a former accountant-turned-VAR, get closer to your roots. Apply your domain expertise to services like collections, procurement, and reporting.</p><br /><p><strong>5. Promote the cloud to your existing customer base.</strong> If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. We’re entering a major platform transition – there will soon be an incredible shift to cloud-based systems. Get in on the action now and embrace it. Your biggest asset is your existing customer base, so help them transition to the cloud. Don’t try to sell against a secular trend. If your customers are unaware of the cloud, explain the benefits and sell cloud systems to replace on-premises ones. Keep pace with the new technology at all costs.</p><br /><p><em>This is a guest post by Hunter Richards, who writes on the <a href="http://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/online-accounting-software-comparison/">Software Advice</a> blog.</em></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-71749528057541326392010-12-06T11:11:00.005-05:002010-12-06T11:21:28.103-05:00The Software Promotions InterviewIf you've been to the Software Industry Conference (<a href="http://sic.org/">SIC</a>) then you've doubtless seen Dave Collins. Dave's conference session where he asks willing volunteers to put their business cards into a hat, and then dissects what's right and wrong about their websites in front of the audience is now legendary; it should be, Dave knows his stuff! We caught up with him and asked some questions...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />1) Dave you run <a href="http://www.SoftwarePromotions.com">SoftwarePromotions.com</a> which has been promoting software for over ten years. Can you tell us a little bit about what you do for software publishers?</span><br /><br />We help software companies to sell more software. We generally work with a two-pronged approach. We bring targeted visitors to their websites through Google AdWords, SEO and press releases, and then make sure that more of them convert into customers.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.SoftwarePromotions.com"><img style=" margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26RWt2cC6WVzeo6g-mcfKQa2Nv0TwUIgvca_S-cZ6g_U_pXqb-_UVm1CFKLJuC8zrctdas3RbHtAED2yap_6_Fo96oybBoeBOLSY7ccDIcgslE4NSyyV-JDoFHEoyFFtw8oa4JaZ-BhM/s320/newlogo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547604194024524690" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />2) I know you're Google Adwords certified, but surely the rise of Facebook, Twitter and Social Networks have changed the game? How do software companies work with social networks, and is it effective?</span><br /><br />The Social Networks have indeed changed the game, but only offer most software companies a limited number of opportunities with their PR, support, branding and reputation management. But the beauty of AdWords is that you're targeting the right people at the precise moment that they're looking for a solution. Customers don't go searching for software solutions on the social networks, they go to Google. And as much as people are singing the praises of social networking, few companies can actually point to them as a source of new customers. The likes of Facebook and Twitter have their place in a company's marketing strategy, but they won't produce sales.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3) You proudly tout 450 clients on your homepage, can you tell us a few success stories?</span><br /><br />Our website contains case studies that show how we increased a company's monthly sales by 3090% in eighteen months, how we improved another company's conversions by 34% in a few weeks, and how we achieved top ranking results in Google for phrases bringing in hundreds of visitors a day with a 40% download conversion rate. Sadly, however, we can't talk about our greatest successes, as some of our clients wish to keep such information from their competition. I'd love to name the company that we achieved a 600% conversion rate improvement for... but we can't!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />4) Given all the success I'm sure that there are things that don't work too. Some companies have very bad luck with online marketing and promotions. What have you seen fall flat?</span><br /><br />Our failure rate is incredibly low, but under certain circumstances we simply can't produce the results. A company can have the greatest product in the world, but if no-one is actively searching for what it does, even the best set-up AdWords account can't hope to be effective. And sometimes unrealistic expectations can really curtail the chances of a good product. I understand that budgets are tight for small companies, but if you're hoping to see an AdWords account break-even within two to three weeks, you're going to be sorely disappointed.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5) There's a lot written about Search Engine Optimization(SEO), so let me ask a question I've always wanted answered. Can SEO experts really make a difference if I've already done the basics like put keywords in my titles, links and headers and added a meta description to my page?</span><br /><br />Yes - without a doubt. A genuine and experienced professional in any field will almost certainly produce better results than an enthusiastic amateur. I don't write my own contracts, I don't file my own taxes and I don't service my own car. If the search engines have the potential to be a source of income for your business, why wouldn't you use an experienced professional to reap the results? For example you might well put keywords in your titles and links, but are you confident that you're targeting the correct keywords? An experienced SEO professional will know how to carry out the research, and how to balance between targeting, competition and demand.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6) What's the most effective way for a software publisher to get the word out to their fans, a blog, email newsletter, twitter or facebook?</span><br /><br />The standard marketing reply fits perfectly: it depends. If you're just starting out with 20-30 visitors a day to your blog, then how many sales can you expect by blogging about your new product? It makes more sense to utilise gearing. Instead of trying to reach thousands of people directly, target the people with a far bigger fan base. Getting the attention of 1,000 people is relatively easy, but will produce little by the way of results while being very time consuming. Getting the attention of one key person can be much more difficult, but the results have the possibility of being exponentially better. Look at what we're doing right here. Getting interviewed by you today has the potential to reach more people than I can on my own.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7) What are your thoughts on things like link-exchange and online forums for software marketing, are these a things of the past?</span><br /><br />Yes, they sailed past their use-by dates years ago. Natural link exchange is the backbone of the web, but artificially emulating it productively and profitably is difficult. And while forums can be useful for support and building a community, they're not going to be particularly successful at actively marketing your product.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8) You must have seen a lot of websites in your time, could you tell us what's the most common mistake that software sellers make on their website.</span><br /><br />Focusing on what their customers don't care about. Too many software companies don't realise what their customers are looking for, and often don't know how to speak their language. There's a company in California that have a great piece of photo software. I use it for showing slideshows, for publishing to a private blog, for securely putting my pictures where my friends and family can access them, for automatically identifying people I know, for printing, sharing, editing my pictures and more. How do they describe it on their website? "Picasa is free photo editing software from Google that makes your pictures look great. Sharing your best photos with friends and family is as easy as pressing a button!". Beautiful.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />9) It's easy to spend a lot of cash to get traffic for your site, but how do you recommend software developers get targeted visitors who are actually interested in their site?</span><br /><br />Sorry to be predictable, but the answer is simply search engines; or more precisely Google. Seth Godin opened our eyes to the futility of interruption marketing - advertisements that try to disrupt what we're doing, yet many still don't get it. The reason why few (if any) software developers have made Facebook advertising work is that people go to Facebook to see what their friends are doing, not to buy software. But people go to Google to find solutions, information, products, services, images, ideas and more. Learn how to use Google and stop wasting your money interrupting people.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10) With the rise of free apps, online apps and open source software are the days of desktop software publishing numbered?</span><br /><br />The price, license and means of delivery of an application are incidental to the solution. Free apps and open source are nothing new, and offer no threat to most desktop applications. If the product is better than the competition, it will prevail over them. Every new technology has someone ringing a death bell for the old - the fax machine to mail, the PC to the fax machine, the netbook to the PC and so on. Good solutions out-live good technology.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11) Do you see anything new in the industry that we should be aware of and looking into in the new year?</span><br /><br />The 359th degree. We've almost gone full circle now, so I predict a surge in "back to basics" marketing. Email is becoming more popular again, after being apparently superseded by RSS feeds and then Twitter. But time-tested email just works, and an increasing number of companies are starting to realise it - again. Have you noticed how many companies are using MailChimp lately?<br /><br />Stay ahead of your competition - go back to what you were doing years ago! It worked then and it works now.<br /><br /><br />Dave Collins runs <a href="http://www.SoftwarePromotions.com">SoftwarePromotions.com</a>, and blogs at <a href="http://blog.softwarepromotions.com">Blog.SoftwarePromotions.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-22079529988874420312010-08-30T10:45:00.001-04:002010-08-30T10:47:06.978-04:00The Main Benefits of a Social Media CampaignBefore the social media’s popularity boom, a company which would like to carry out a SEO campaign could be narrowed to the main search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing, which represents the most important tools to look for information, products and services. Nowadays it isn’t enough anymore to keep up with competition on the search engines because social media is becoming too important to be ignored, and companies with a Facebook or a Twitter’s account will achieve better results in terms of traffic and in terms of rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs) than others.<br /><br />Everyday millions of people from all around the world link to Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, and a lower number of them to other social networks such as Linked In, so it they can manifest the potential of social media for brand awareness and to channel traffic towards your websites. Also if your company has a Facebook or Twitter profile you can use them to promote your offers, promo codes, and special discounts, or simply to provide users with information and news about your products and services.<br /><br />Social media is also important for SEO almost for two main reasons. Firstly, search engines likes websites which are updated with the latest technologies and which are ready to share information on the World Wide Web. Secondly, search engines and social media have started to cooperate, for example now Google displays users’ tweets in its search results, or Twitter is now a partner of Yahoo in order to create a social channel search engine, or again Bing released a new section “Bing Social” which will show all the information and links posted in Twitter and Facebook related to the entered keywords. These new partnerships trend between search engines and social media is a proof of the growing importance of social networks and at the same time it represents new opportunities for business online. In fact now a company with daily activity on social media sites, through posts and links, will have more possibilities to appear in the search results of the main search engines for its specific keywords, and in turns its visibility will increase and as well as its traffic.<br /><br />Therefore there are enough reasons to consider Social Media Optimisation as an essential part of your internet marketing strategy, but if you still have doubts, please contact our SEO experts and our friendly guys will be glad to show you all the benefits of a Social Media Campaign!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About the Author:</span><br />Diane Forster<br /><a href="http://www.seojunkies.com">SEOJunkies</a><br />marketing@seojunkies.com<br />0044 845 373 0595Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-2761041608425808442010-07-26T06:42:00.003-04:002013-02-24T13:23:50.038-05:00The Essentials in Successful Software Promotions - VideoThis post has been moved here:<br>
<a href="http://blog.bitsdujour.com/2010/07/the-essentials-in-successful-software.html">The Essentials in Successful Software Promotions - Video</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-72043433074556002542010-07-11T20:10:00.011-04:002013-02-24T13:27:10.090-05:00Do The Math – The Essentials in Successful Software PromotionsThis post has been moved here:<br>
<a href="http://blog.bitsdujour.com/2010/07/do-math-essentials-in-successful.html">Do The Math – The Essentials in Successful Software Promotions</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-5090060478313587282010-06-11T10:10:00.002-04:002010-06-11T10:13:45.348-04:00Software Industry Conference in Dallas in July, 2010<p>The 20th Annual <a href="http://www.sic.org">Software Industry Conference</a> (SIC) will be held on July 15 - 17, 2010 in Dallas, Texas at the Hyatt Regency DFW Hotel. </p><p>The Software Industry Conference is a three day event that culminates with a Networking Gala Dinner that gives software developers and publishers an opportunity to form partnerships and alliances. The conference also includes dozens of informative, educational breakout sessions covering a wide variety of topics that are critical to the success of Independent Software Developers (ISVs).<br /></p><p>What's more, Nico Westerdale from Software Marketing Resource will be speaking on "<strong>Do The Math – The Essentials in Successful Software Promotions"</strong> on Friday July 16th at 10.15 as part of the conference. You're welcome to peruse the <a href="http://www.sic.org/fullsched.asp">full schedule</a> and attend any of the seesions.<br /></p><p>The conference includes more than forty educational seminars and presentations that are designed to help developers sell more software. Presentations by industry experts include topics such as profiting from Google Adwords, marketing more effectively, providing income-producing customer support, working with translation and localization services, sending press releases, developing Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, avoiding legal pitfalls, reducing chargebacks, and creating affiliate networks. </p><p>The conference allows plenty of time to network with other software developers and software industry service providers. The conveniently-located daily breakfasts in the Hyatt Regency DFW Hotel make it easy for conference attendees to meet and socialize with fellow industry members. You can even attend the annual meetings and luncheons of two industry trade associations, ESC and ASP. </p><p>The casual SIC conferences are known for their family-friendly atmosphere. Many software developers turn their trips to SIC into mini-vacations. </p><p>As always, the conference will present awards to honor developers in several key software categories. SIC's Exhibit Night features the best software development products and services from leading industry vendors. </p><p>Registration at the door costs $299(US), or costs $249 if you register online http://www.sic.org/register.asp by July 13. Deeply discounted hotel rooms at the Hyatt Regency DFW are available to all conference attendees. </p><p>For more information about SIC 2010, visit <a href="http://www.sic.org">http://www.sic.org </a> </p><p># # # </p><p>Members of the press are invited to request free conference passes. </p><p>About SIC </p><p>The annual Software Industry Conference has been presented continuously since 1991. Each year, the conference focuses attention on the try-before-you-buy software development industry, its people, and the many fine applications that come from it. </p><p>The conference has grown dramatically since in recent years. In addition, the conference honors software developers with a series of annual awards, recognizing new and innovative software products created and marketed by smaller development companies. </p><p>Current sponsors for the 2010 SIC include Alta Web Works, asknet AG, Association of Shareware Professionals, Avangate, Inc., cleverbridge, Digital River, DP Directory, Inc., Elfring Fonts, Inc., Emurasoft, Inc., K Software, Lincoln Beach Software, NotePage, Inc., Paypro Global, Inc., Plimus, SoftCity, Software Promotions Ltd., The Utility Factory, and TRIUS, Inc. </p><p>For more information about SIC, visit http://www.sic.org/. To schedule interviews with Sue Pichotta or other conference directors, contact Sue on suep@siaf.org </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-63838172037533027692010-05-04T09:48:00.004-04:002010-05-04T09:54:27.786-04:00Increasing Traffic by using VideoThe popularity of viral marketing has soared dramatically since the first signs of this popular online marketing technique back in the late nineties. You may think what has a virus got to do with marketing? Well a virus is not just an undesirable parasite that everyone tries to avoid it is an entity that multiplies rapidly and grabs everyone in its path. Viral marketing and viral advertising describes a strategy that uses people to pass on marketing messages in varying forms much like a controversial pyramid scheme which like a virus it uses strength in numbers to make itself known. <br /><br />The use of online videos is one online marketing technique that falls under the viral banner, from creating a short and snappy online video about your company to creating a funny and entertaining video as long as its online it can go viral. <br /><br />The key to making a success of a viral marketing campaign is to get as many people as possible to watch your online video. There are various techniques for increasing traffic to your video the first and in my opinion the most important is utilising social sites.<br /><br />Submitting your video to online video directories such as YouTube and Search For Video amongst others will allow it to be viewed by millions. Submit your video to as many directories as possible in order to maximise your audience potential. Ensure you have also provided information about your company or a link to your website otherwise your video will be great entertainment but offer no benefit to your company. <br /><br />Social networking sites such as Facebook allow you to create and join groups that you are interested in, once you are member you can suggest the group to your friends and they then suggest it to theirs much like the aforementioned pyramid scheme. For this reason add your videos to social networking sites and suggest as many ‘fans’ as possible.<br /><br />Another way of increasing traffic to your online videos in adding a link to your video on all of your outgoing email messages, the law of averages suggests if you are exposing as many people as possible to your video the likelihood of people watching it and proceeding to your website will increase. <br /><br />Employing viral and social media optimisation techniques can be extremely rewarding when done well and in some instances when not auctioned correctly can offer no benefit at all. <br /><br />SEO Junkies are experts in online marketing whether it be social media optimisation or search engine optimisation we have many years experience, we know what we are doing and we do it well. Take a look at our website or contact your own SEO Junkie for more information today. <br /><br />About the author:<br />Diane Forster<br /><a HREF="http://www.seojunkies.com">http://www.seojunkies.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-76363740427115118582010-01-18T11:25:00.000-05:002010-01-18T11:27:10.273-05:00The Anti-Writer's Guide: How to Make Money from Ebooks You Don't WriteOne of the largest portals that are currently online for businesses, experts and those that want to make money on the side is the ability to use free ebooks. Writing an ebook is one that can bring in residual income on a continuous basis, while providing more opportunities to provide a wealth of knowledge to others. However, if you don't have the ability to write your own ebook, then understanding the different ways to make money off others’ words can help you to achieve your goals for ebooks. <br /><br />Whether you are not able to write an ebook because you don't have the time or don't have the expertise as a writer, there is still a way to make money off free ebooks. Most that are browsing through the Internet aren't looking only for an expert. They are looking from guidance to those who understand the most about the craft. For instance, if you know someone who has a professional service, you don't want to know the books that are available, but would rather have guidance on what literature can enhance your own life. <br /><br />Taking this same approach with free ebooks is a way to move you into reading ebooks, then guiding others to the best on the Internet. Instead of going through the process of research, writing, editing, distribution and promotion, you can simply read other's free ebooks and write reviews on them. Using micro-blogging platforms as one of the main tools and becoming an expert in what is good and what isn't will provide you with a new portal of guidance for others. <br /><br />By talking about the best and worst of free ebooks available, others on the Internet will be able to see you as an authority of the online literature. By using a micro-blogging platform or social media networks, you will be able to gain a level of expertise and followers online. Doing this will allow you to build followers that look to your advice against specific ebooks that don't have the correct information or that has an outdated perspective.<br /><br />The next step to take with the free ebooks that are available is to begin to link them to your personalized favorites. For instance, once you have built your set of followers for reviews, then you can begin to review affiliate programs. Since you are now a trusted and reliable source, many that are following you will turn to the same advice for promotions of products that you find valuable. Doing this will help you to gain not only a level of expertise with your understanding of different ebooks and products, but will also start to bring new levels of income. <br /><br />If you have an interest in information, as well as free ebooks online, then beginning to build a secondary income by reviewing what is available can then help you to become a reliable and trusted source for the Internet. By doing this, you have the ability to guide others within your personal expertise of reviews, while building into a secondary income.<br /><br />by Jonnthan Travis jonytrav[at]gmail[dot]comAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-71365319213526009232009-09-30T11:22:00.000-04:002009-09-30T11:23:54.154-04:00Writing Web CopyThe most perfectly crafted web copy will not do much for us if we do not take the time to do some Search Engine Optimization on the final design and layout of our webcopy. <br /><br />Most of us, after spending some time working on writing copy, become myopic, and loose the ability to be objective about our work. I mean really, we spend a day or two writing and editing the perfect sales pitch. We run it by some family members and friends who tell us it is the coolest thing since sliced bread. We are convinced the copy writing effort will pay off. In the back of our mind, we wonder if it might even be Award winning copy. And it very well may be. In fact, we assume the copy cannot get any better, so we turn it over to the engineering staff to be put up on the website....Hooray!<br /><br />But now, guess what? It is time to brace ourselves. Do we know what is coming? Our baby....the work we gave all our mental energy to, is about to be picked at, teased apart, added too, modified with new key words, optimized, with new paragraph headings added, and perhaps even a new title. Our masterpiece is coming under the SEO spotlight. The thing we did not realize is that the quickest way to cripple our advertising message on the internet is to forgo the search engine optimization of our content. What is the key phrase density? Do the meta tags meet the goals of the SEO team? What is in the top line of text? Will it need to be changed? At this point, we find ourselves compromising. Why? Because web copy and search engine optimization are two critical partners in our future profitability and success. We cannot do one without the other and expect our website to generate real profit.<br /><br />If we write an article or web page that has a Key Phrase focus, it will sound odd, forced, and not quite right in the readers mind. The compelling and urgent copy that will cause the reader to move to a “Call to Action” will not be there. It is best to write a compelling, heart felt article that helps the reader, by providing information, solving a problem, or taking them to our shopping cart. After the copy is done, let the SEO experts review, suggest, and improve the copy, to reach the goals of the copy that were set out in the first place.<br /><br />The perfect copy writing is producing copy that is compelling and leads readers to a call to action, and also makes use of all the SEO tools available. This is where discipline and experience come into play, Those new to the business fail to realize the importance of combining expert copy writing with expert SEO to create the perfect blend. <br /><br />Expectations, that is what it is really about; we need to have the proper expectations that no matter how good of a writer we are, the SEO review will make the copy better. Even if we complete both steps ourselves, we need to know when we have on a copywriter's hat and when we have on an SEO hat. <br /><br />We MUST understand the painstaking hours of labor and incredible attention to detail that go into coordinating an entire website marketing campaign. And that's what most new marketers completely miss when they're just starting out trying to drive traffic and business to their sites.<br /><br />Killer Copywriting + SEO = Higher Sales Conversions!<br /><br />Pat Holman is the CEO of <a href="http://iXod.com" target="_blank">iXod Conversion Marketing</a>, an Internet Marketing firm.<br />Pat HolmanAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-32875096520274651882009-09-03T16:42:00.003-04:002009-09-03T16:45:46.860-04:00ASP Launches New BlogThe Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) has launched a new blog. The first post, "What would you do differently if you had to start your software story again" is the first in many from the wide reaching shareware community that make up the ASP's membership. Ive been a long time ASP member, and recently an ASP board member, and have found it invaluable for the professional software developer. <a href="http://www.asp-shareware.org/blog" target="_new">Read the ASP Blog here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-52561323144250636192009-08-25T12:01:00.002-04:002009-08-25T12:10:31.614-04:00Affiliate Site BlueprintDr Andy Williams is offering a free Affiliate Site Blueprint.<br />This course includes an 180 page manual and 15 videos and it's free!<br /><br />The following videos are part of the Affiliate Site Blueprint Course that you can download or read online.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 1: Getting Niche Ideas</span><br />This video explores a number of ways to find ideas for your niche sites.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VNcNvk5lpIA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VNcNvk5lpIA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 2: Merchant Reconnaissance</span><br />This video shows you how to check up on merchants in your niche. Are there any, and are they any good?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xMwqv5NSyZE&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xMwqv5NSyZE&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 3: Is there a demand?</span><br />There’s no point creating an affiliate site if there is no demand for the products in the niche. This video shows you how to check the demand of a product (and niche) before you do all of the hard work.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JJFpSjyWh2g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JJFpSjyWh2g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 4: Keyword Research</span><br />How do you know what people are searching for? This tutorial shows you how to use the power of Wordtracker to find exactly that.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cgw5LW_oyik&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cgw5LW_oyik&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 5: Deciding on main pages</span><br />This video looks at how to choose main pages for your website.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gJvMHPAEer8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gJvMHPAEer8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 6: Creating a Site Blueprint</span><br />This video looks at setting up a site blueprint, so that your site can be mapped out before you start the hard work of adding the content.<br />Being organized in site development will speed up development time.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SeQSOvfw-Zs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SeQSOvfw-Zs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 7: Finding Low Competition phrases</span><br />This video shows how you can easily find the low competition phrases in your keyword research database. These low competition phrases make excellent starting points in building a site as it is possible to rank highly for them relatively quickly.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1r-VVMbfhxw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1r-VVMbfhxw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 8: Question Phrases</span><br />One of the best ways of ensuring your content is valuable and informative is to answer real questions asked by real searchers. This video shows how to find those phrases.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ctSoZYcX99s&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ctSoZYcX99s&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 9: Sources of real questions</span><br />This video shows you a number of sources of real questions people ask in your niche.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s1pbkFjZR5E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s1pbkFjZR5E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 10: Finding theme words in your keyword research</span><br />Proof that themeing your content is coming in a later video, but for now, how do you find the best words to use to theme your content? Well this video shows you one method that uses your existing keyword research.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UrLiqka_-Fc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UrLiqka_-Fc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 11: Mining Top Ranking pages for theme words</span><br />In the last video I showed you how to find theme words in your keyword research database. In this video, I show you how to mine the top ranking pages in Google for a much more comprehensive list of highly targeted and relevant theme words.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wEvWiWmBXVQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wEvWiWmBXVQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 12: Exporting a Site Blueprint</span><br />This video shows you how to export a site blueprint from KRA Pro so that you can do something useful with the blueprint – create the content.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nQwKYeBFbak&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nQwKYeBFbak&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 13: Proof that themeing works</span><br />This video shows real data from my own sites highlighting the effectiveness of themeing in getting targeted traffic to your web content.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xrvK8CfWhEY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xrvK8CfWhEY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 14: One Large site? No problem.</span><br />Do you want to build one large site in your niche? This video shows you how to select the main categories for your site.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LcmBVlNcvBI&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LcmBVlNcvBI&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video 15: Smaller Niche Sites?</span><br />If you want to build smaller niche sites, that’s easy too. Just specialize in a small part of the niche – this video shows an example.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KXv24vI2ep4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KXv24vI2ep4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://ezseonews.com/seo/affiliate-site-blueprint/" target="_new">Get the Affiliate Site Blueprint</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-46639024842139153922009-08-20T20:23:00.002-04:002009-08-20T20:26:34.136-04:00Affiliate Summit Wrap-Up<p>When summer rolls around again it always means two things, one bad and one good. The "bad" is that most software vendors experience a dip in sales over summer as our potential customers, at least those in the northern hemisphere, get out of the office and work on their suntans. The "good" is that it's convention time, a chance to catch up with people you only know from exchanging emails and forum posts.</p><br /><p>Last month was the <a href="http://www.sic.org" target="_new">Software Industry Conference</a> (SIC) in Boston, which is the must-go conference for independent software vendors. Mark your calendars now for SIC 2010 in Texas and you might just catch a presentation on software promotions by yours truly!</p><br /><p>If you didn't make it and want to get a feel for what it was like then check out these presentations that our friends from <a href="http://www.avangate.com" target="_new">Avangate</a> have shared:</p><ul><li><a href="http://avangate.cmail4.com/t/y/l/ktijhi/hikdlktdj/y" target="_new">Online Reputation Management</a> for Software Authors by Adriana Iordan </li><li><a href="http://avangate.cmail4.com/t/y/l/ktijhi/hikdlktdj/j" target="_new">Social Media Marketing</a> For Software Authors by Adriana Iordan </li><li><a href="http://avangate.cmail4.com/t/y/l/ktijhi/hikdlktdj/t" target="_new">Best Cure For 2009</a> New Revenue Streams by Casey Potenzone </li></ul><br /><p>This month we were in our home town of New York for the <a href="http://www.affiliatesummit.com" target="_new">Affiliate Summit</a>. If you haven't been before the Summit, held twice yearly, is a large conference with a low entry price, and draws from all sectors of retail who sell online. Sunday kicks off the conference with the Affiliate Meet Market, which is a hectic free-for-all networking event, exhausting, but worth it. Many e-commerce vendors and affiliate network programs made a showing this year, but special thanks go to Denise and Rick from <a href="http://www.digitalriver.com" target="_new">Digital River</a> for throwing their exclusive cocktail party just for us software people to get together. The rest of the conference was the traditional booths and seminars.</p><br /><p>The Affiliate Summit publishes their own survey of over four-hundred and fifty affiliates after the event. The report features dozens of charts of data, based on the responses from the participating affiliates. Also included, an uncensored view into the opinions of affiliates on a variety of other subjects. Affiliates were asked to share any complaints, ideas, suggestions or opinions they have regarding affiliate marketing. Plus there are some great resources for affiliate marketers: a glossary to explain industry terms, as well as lists of suggested message boards, blogs, and Twitter accounts that you should know about.</p><br /><p>You can <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/16411991/2009-Affiliate-Summit-AffStat-Report" target="_new">download the report</a> or visit the <a href="http://affstat.com" target="_new">affiliate survey website</a>.</p><br /><p>If you're just starting out as a software developer and wondering if you can justify the costs of travelling and going to a conference, then I'd say that almost all of them have been worth it for me. Putting a face to a name really cements a relationship and I always take away something unexpected and new.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-16040249650074975322009-07-31T15:16:00.000-04:002009-07-31T15:17:48.417-04:00Software Industry Conference 2009This year's <a href="http://sic.org/" target="_new">2009 Software Industry Conference</a> was no disappointment. With some great speakers and great company it was an excellent chance to put some faces to names that we knew only by email and newsgroup postings.<br /><br />This year we spent a lot of time talking in the hospitality suites, here's who was on hand:<br /><ul><br /><li><a title="The ASP" href="http://www.asp-shareware.org/" target="_new" alt="The ASP">Association of Shareware Professionals</a><br /></li><li><a title="Avangate" href="http://www.avangate.com/" target="_new" alt="Avangate">Avangate</a><br /></li><li><a title="" href="http://www.cleverbridge.com/" target="_new" alt="">cleverbridge</a><br /></li><li><a title="" href="http://corporate.digitalriver.com/store/driv/Corp/sectionName.commerce/subSectionName.shareware/page.shareware" target="_new" alt="">Digital River</a><br /></li><li><a title="" href="http://www.sharewarepromotions.com/" target="_new" alt="">Shareware Promotions Ltd.</a><br /></li><li><a title="" href="http://www.softonic.com/" target="_new" alt="">Softonic</a><br /></li><li><a title="" href="http://www.tucows.com/" target="_new" alt="">Tucows</a></li></ul><br /><div style="float: left; clear: left;"><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; clear: left; width: 181px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa7jpcl9BcB9JB_t4y7Aqt5h6UQ_0j8t5JzuJreQik_HlFhauERlk13x3C55RIbfQw9tE7hYjUVf6c66HsxRnhZHFoiU34oPSsax4gqvPUO6l-afCYBx8qccvhSCBxMws5wKa_iKlV3p8/s200/007x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364639052241072978" border="0" /> Nico and Roger hang out in the <a href="http://www.bitsdujour.com/">BitsDuJour</a> exhibition booth on Friday night. We had a lot of familiar faces and some new ones stop by, a really great night.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="float: left; clear: left;"><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; clear: left; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TDPqWTCbgqg3NnF362QmejBK8gHOZfJoNP3gKLXYGsBNT-dHHPPx0kOfSXYS9UktXWMBQlSbVOWytIqxrK-wxqHY2EguMrgNVhuHY6Q4vbEx-kGOzFjTv_v5ZGGKXPPp7Y5zb3cjZ50R/s200/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364638614285639506" border="0" />We had some tasty "bytes" on offer on the exhibition night too.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="float: left; clear: left;"><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; clear: left; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdRJXRAXVxCjKSlIa-nZ-qbRuk3HBK7rceE3rldVjhJkJMKgu_Kgd84CB6xJ_vP_2fkoiJS6Gy7-084I-fUXQzD7MCbl0hQIfK46yUdjpCdllVf9TZQyTZMNsZhGzVJSxpvuh44g9jFLT/s200/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364638608187729858" border="0" />Nico chats with Oliver Grahl, who tops the BitsDuJour <a href="http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/connect/vip/vendor/topSellers.aspx">leaderboard</a> of top sellers for <a href="http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/pdf-annotator/">PDF Annotator</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="float: left; clear: left;"><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; clear: left; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdt7cFJuYfomjsyiAr1fgGo3z8crKF0mRQuo23Y8Bofz-rn74Yi5dUMaAI2h3xPdJzB7Fe5b3SPNlkJJa7rlyENXsdVXETfugCol_GZM20tk2Xfo5-t38q643usVpKFzXv7c6NYlEWZm7/s200/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364638596953382722" border="0" />Mike Dulin cracks jokes at the <a href="http://www.asp-shareware.org/" target="_new">ASP Luncheon</a>.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="float: left; clear: left;"><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; clear: left; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdSPAKGxxNxovroXyfIqCdhyYFCKaaTusxxGbpQXUZjijq3I8ygu2sEL7AE1MPnCuLckAe4QA628ryv7SVCSJtOBH66d18v17mULhIELkSwEZKk8whXUaXbLIqY2l0I0edyzfbtGpiIA1/s200/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364638587858705938" border="0" />Most of the e-commerce providers were on hand at the SIC this year. We caught up with the new e-commerce company <a href="http://www.upclick.com/" target="_new">UpClick</a>.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="float: left; clear: left;"><br /><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; clear: left; width: 171px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVdYXHL1P8fSjk-E0JOVW6TZyFq0_HujwNzRadTnxLVeh6f61CH-aYihntbp7gevbuCD8gH5YtUzxmes6wjUdiQtU8nnPhWMHP6UJP3062w6dzIAQzhMMg91g4LEEY1SB2O6OgO7GccXL/s200/022x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364639056294645522" border="0" />Rik Roberts shows how a real man should perform at the <a href="http://www.sharewareindustryawards.com/" target="_new"">Shareware Industry Awards</a>.<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-73956066905737484672009-07-23T10:57:00.002-04:002009-07-23T11:04:04.649-04:00Don't Reinvent the Marketing Wheel<strong>Stand on the Shoulders of the Giants</strong><br /><br />In this time and age, each and every company is trying its best to be different. Innovation seems to be the name of the game and entrepreneurs are literally scratching their heads to be original, creative and off beat in their sales and marketing strategies. And of course, the call of the times is to have a unique selling proposition, out-of-the-box strategies. But I can’t help but wonder why entrepreneurs single-handedly have to do all the spadework. Can’t they take reference from the past? And most importantly, doesn’t this question call for a passing thought at least?<br /><br />In simple words, the entrepreneurs need not ‘reinvent the wheel’ again and again. Just look out, what your peers and predecessors have done. Examples will be in plenty. If that’s not enough, check out some renowned books written by distinguished sales and marketing gurus. Almost all the marketing strategies will find a mention here.<br /><br />Have you heard of the phrase ‘standing on the shoulders of the giants’? The dictionary meaning says “Using the understanding gained by major thinkers who have gone before in order to make intellectual progress”. Don’t you think this is the best way out.<br /><br />Some of the well-known books that entrepreneurs can peruse include,<br /><br />- <a href="http://www.e-myth.com/" target="_new">The E-Myth</a> by Michael Gerber<br /><br />- <a href="http://www.dankennedywebsite.com/" target="_new">Magnetic Marketing</a> by Dan Kennedy<br /><br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meatball-Sundae-Your-Marketing-Sync/dp/1591841747" target="_new">Meatball Sundae</a> by Seth Godin<br /><br />- <a href="http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/" target="_new">Duct Tape Marketing</a> by John Jantsch<br /><br />All of them are great read; hopefully you like them and most importantly help you expand your Business.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Bridging the Gap between Actual Offer and Sales Copy</strong><br /><br />You are all set to open your sales innings on an encouraging note. And you have already crafted a grand sounding sales copy for that purpose. The best things being you are pretty sure that your copy will strike a chord with the prospects.<br /><br />But as someone said, Man proposes and God disposes, your sales efforts fall apart like a pack of cards. The buyer has out rightly rejected your offer. But wasn’t your sales copy fool-proof, then why was this red-light shown.<br /><br />While not disputing for a moment, about the brilliance of your sales copy, however, there may be a combination of factors that may have contributed in this deal going awry.<br /><br />Flaunt your price-tag- Never, be ashamed about the price of your products. Customers or prospects simply don’t flip through the pages, ignoring the price element, for the simple fact that price has a fundamental role to play, before a sales deal is finally closed. If your sales copy is really good, then be rest assured that you have hit the bull’s eye. However, don’t go about feeling sorry for you have given your product a price tag that it’s worth of.<br /><br />Clear-Cut Offer- Be sure that you mention the price. Furnish complete details of the products and services you are offering and any additional bonuses you are planning to unfold in the future.<br /><br />Purchase Options: Give the prospects a variety of ways to order: phone, fax, mail, online. The more diverse you make, there are chances that you will receive more offers.<br /><br />Payment Options –Present different kinds of payment methods. Purchasers are keenly interested in knowing the various payment options available.<br /><br />Contact Information: Some brilliant marketing messages have been dumped as the prospects have failed to find the contact details<br /><br />Don't miss your sale at the offer point.<br /><br /><br /><strong>How to attract Your Prospect to the Sale</strong><br /><br />Did you ever try to figure out why your customers are not reverting back, when you are sending them some attractive marketing offers? May be he (she) hasn’t even taken the pain to read your offer. But what more can you expect from the customers, who are flooded with more than 3,000 marketing, messages. So it is but natural for them to dump each and every marketing offer that comes their way<br /><br />There are certain marketing filters you need to take into account, before the customers start reading your copies and are ready to communicate with. Here are the steps:<br /><br />Step 1- <strong>Know your customers</strong>- This makes the message more targeted and helps you draw his (her) attention. And your customers or prospects will get a feeling that you deeply care for them.<br /><br />Step 2- <strong>Keep a tab on the customers</strong>- Make it a habit to take follow-ups with your customers, probably you will be able to strike a better deal.<br /><br />Step 3- <strong>Give value to your customers</strong>- Every marketing message that you are putting out should be from the prospects viewpoint. It should bring profits to the prospects first. Moreover the message that you send should do a little more than what you sell. It should educate, engage, entertain and helps your prospects some way or the other.<br /><br />Step 4- <strong>Give customers due importance</strong>- Once your prospects fall in to your trap, see that you keep in touch with him(her) on constant basis. New customers and the old customers need the same kind of attention. Shower them with your attention, and see how your fortunes turnaround.<br /><br /><strong>About the Author</strong><br />This article was provided by Mayur Dicosta from <a href="http://www.made-from-india.com" target="_new">made-from-india.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-37855369947092045402009-07-09T15:23:00.004-04:002009-07-09T17:02:41.757-04:00UpClick Brings 0% Fees to Software Sales<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 180px; height: 43px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ju5Jni6aO71TUqG7zMuzSEmqsycW4DUQlh_LYfFrWZMuYH2lc6WpfmMPE8oBvdnyorwvKkDK60s83yPDl-9uTTCDt-a0MsffGjhfUnf_mDr7wlOQsE4llo2doOFuwcjXYvEMuOSXepY/s320/UpClick.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356568412447006274" />There's been a lot of talk about the latest e-commerce platform to emerge on the scene. We took the time to talk to Michael Dadoun, <a href="http://upclick.com" target="_new">UpClick</a>'s COO. Here's what he had to say.<br /> <br /><br /><strong>1. UpClick is the new kid on the block' in a world of many e-commerce services. Why does the web need another payment processor? </strong><br /><br />You are right. There are a bunch of payment processors in the market already, but we see ourselves as much more than a basic payment processing platform. UpClick offers software vendors a one-stop solution for selling online with an economic model that makes it a no brainer for them. Before UpClick, there were basically two types of payment processors that software vendors could choose from: on one side, they could choose companies that offer a commoditized product where differentiation is low and the only factor is pricing. On the other side, they could choose a value-added ecommerce platform that (on average) cost between 7 and 15% to use. We have a different approach. Our emphasis is to create value for our customers by offering the best technologies and practices, maximizing their Average Revenue per Order with optimized cross-selling and by offering a dynamic affiliate marketplace.<br /> <br /><br /><strong>2. On your homepage there's a big "0% fees" advertisement. If you don't charge any fees then how do you make any money - what's the catch?</strong><br /><br />No catch. We indeed absorb the payment processing costs and the costs of first level customer service. We make our money in 3 ways:<br /><br />- We enable merchants to cross-sell products from other UpClick Merchants on their check-out pages. When this happens, we take a small commission and the two merchants split the remaining revenue. <br /><br />- We offer consumers complementary products -- such as CD backup of the software they bought -- at the time of check out and/or after the transaction is approved, and split the proceeds with the merchants.<br /><br />- We charge a small $1 fee for transactions generated by our affiliate marketplace (compared to up to 30% of the commissions charged by other affiliate networks).<br /><br /><br /><strong>3. We've seen UpClick mentioned in the media a lot recently, are vendors signing up?</strong> <br /><br />Yes! The reaction has been tremendous and our value proposition gets our potential customers’ attention every time. Of course, we understand that changing to a new platform provider is something customers do prudently and often only after testing. However, we’re seeing a lot of traction and are actually exceeding our forecast<br /><br /><br /><strong>4. So give us the rundown, what features does UpClick's system have?</strong><br /><br />We have a long list of features and the best way to see all of them would be to visit <a href="http://www.upclick.com/Features.aspx" target="_new">our website</a>. Even with all our features, one thing we’re especially proud of is our extremely simple interface. A software vendor can sign-up, upload his product and license keys, and get our innovative buy buttons to put on his site in about 5 minutes!<br /> <br /><br /><strong>5. Besides the big "0%" is there anything that differentiates you from the most established e-commerce solutions such as Digital River and Plimus?</strong><br /><br /> Pricing of our services is of course the obvious one, which helps our Merchants save money. But, we also enable merchants to make more money as well, through our cross-selling capabilities and our affiliate network. Merchant A can dramatically increase his average revenue per order by offering to his customers a product from Merchant B at the time of check-out, creating new revenue for both of them. Another differentiator is our geo-targeting tools that allow merchants to customize pricing per currency (ie. $19.99 in the US or 19.99 Euros in Europe, instead of the typical straight conversion that would give 14.39 euros). There are many more features that differentiate us, and as I said earlier, despite the feature-rich platform, we’ve very easy to use.<br /><br /><br /><strong>6. Is UpClick just for software sales or does your system allow selling of other products?</strong><br /><br /> Our expertise is in software sales, so for now, that’s where we are focused However, we also support some related products such as ebooks, and have plans to eventually expand into membership sites (content, newsletters and even Software as a Service) and maybe some other product categories.<br /><br /><br /><strong>7. E-commerce continues to grow, even in this sluggish economy. How do you see the next twelve months playing out for software developers?</strong><br /><br />The software industry is a great place to be. It is still a growing industry. The international markets have been an area of strong growth for North American software companies and will continue to be. Consumers are buying their software online now more than ever and that trend will continue in the next 12 months. <br /><br />That being said, the online selling of software is extremely competitive, but we believe that we offer the tools to allow companies of any size to compete internationally. <br /><br /><br /><strong>8. With new business models such as SaaS (software as a service) and web applications, do you see desktop software, and desktop software sales, as having a limited lifespan?</strong><br /><br />Very interesting question. Obviously SaaS is a growing segment and one that is getting a lot of attention particularly in certain markets such as Asia. We don’t see this as a threat since we will be supporting both business models in the future. Having said that, we don’t see the downloadable software market as disappearing any time soon. We believe there will always have a need for software to run, protect and maintain your machine. <br /><br /><br /><strong>9. As you work with a lot of developers, you must see people making the same mistakes over and over again. If you had one piece of advice for developers what would it be?</strong><br /><br />Keep it simple. Most of us working in technology have a tendency to try and build too much functionality into our products to a point where they become too complex for most people.<br /><br /><br /><strong>10. Will we see you at the Software Industry Conference in Boston this July (we'll be there too)?</strong><br /><br />UpClick is a proud sponsor of the <a href="http://sic.org" target="_new">SIC</a>. We will have a booth and I should be giving a presentation on Localization and Cross-Selling. We’ll see you there!<br /><br /><br /><strong>About the Author</strong><br />Michael Dadoun is the COO and co-founder of <a href="http://upclick.com" target="_new">UpClick</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420807176599380554.post-74228014985717995382009-07-02T22:26:00.003-04:002009-07-02T22:31:10.375-04:00Pay Per Click Marketing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpv765jUYrcB6e_U-1AYTLccTPDIxG9-zFmBrBIyrliLeXMntpvDvQqp5YTw3ZpbM7_RFZ-WDrKZFxoQSIcZo6Fz_rFCxVpT5Ka82lqbgRTiK-6FC4yOkUb4oamvdql7LTntyQQVBI3Y/s1600-h/pay_per_click%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 94px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354055400935513058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpv765jUYrcB6e_U-1AYTLccTPDIxG9-zFmBrBIyrliLeXMntpvDvQqp5YTw3ZpbM7_RFZ-WDrKZFxoQSIcZo6Fz_rFCxVpT5Ka82lqbgRTiK-6FC4yOkUb4oamvdql7LTntyQQVBI3Y/s320/pay_per_click%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><div>PPC marketing can be a powerful online marketing channel for software products. But there are several ways to help make your marketing dollars work harder for you. For those of you that already have active PPC campaigns, here are a few tips for better PPC campaign management.<br /><br />PPC KEYWORD DEVELOPMENT<br /><br />Tip 1 – The Google AdWords Keyword Tool is a great starting point for keyword discovery, given that Google is very good at the keyword (kw) relevancy game. Since a majority of searchers use Google and its partners, the idea is to ‘go to the source’ for kw lists based on actual user searches. Simply input seed kw’s and Google will spit out additional relevant kw ideas. Access the Keyword Tool at the top of the kw list in any ad group.<br /><br />Tip 2 – Use the Search Query report to further expand and refine your kw lists. This report has been much improved, and now displays more granular data. Focus on search queries that have received conversions, rather than just impressions or clicks. Add queries with match type showing as ‘broad’ or ‘phrase’ to appropriate ad groups. Bid based on query CPA and average CPCs.<br /><br />Tip 3 – Mine Google Analytics, Omniture, or other web analytics reporting systems for kw ideas. Focus on organic kw’s that have resulted not only in clicks, but in conversions, goals, and measurable value. In GA, select Traffic Sources, then Keywords, then click on non-paid, and lastly select the Goal Conversion tab.<br /><br />Tip 4 – Use all 3 match types: broad, phrase, and exact. Using all 3 match types gives the advertiser greater visibility and control into their campaigns. Add phrase and exact match for kw’s that show a high volume of impressions, clicks, cost or conversions – or for kw’s that are core to the software products that you sell.<br /><br />PPC AD CREATION & TESTING<br /><br />Tip 5 – Test Keyword Insertion (KWI) in text ads. KWI automatically inserts the user’s search query into the text of the ad. KWI can be used in headlines or in lines 1-2. Text KWI cautiously, and only in ad groups that exclude high-volume, broad match keywords. Example headline: {KeyWord:Morphing Software}.<br /><br />Tip 6 – Set ad-serving to rotate(!) Ads must be rotated evenly in order to be tested properly against each other. AdWords defaults to serve higher-CTR ads more often than lower-CTR ads; this makes more money for Google at the expense of the advertiser. This option is found in Campaign Settings.<br /><br />Tip 7 – Remember ad text basics: highlight the advertiser value proposition; incorporate relevant ad group kw’s within ad text; use a compelling offer (e.g. Free 30-day Trial) and include a call-to-action or implied call-to-action (e.g. Learn how to improve your PPC campaigns – Free white paper).<br /><br />PPC CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE<br /><br />Tip 8 – A simple account structure benefits day-to-day navigation, management and bid optimization. Consider separate campaigns for breaking out geo-targets, differentiating between different target metrics, or for reporting purposes. Always run Content campaigns separately. This is acknowledged best practices, since Content is an altogether different medium vs. Search.<br /><br />ADWORDS EDITOR<br /><br />Tip 9 – Download and use AdWords Editor (AE) for: bid optimization; ad creation and optimization; creating new campaigns; adding kw’s in bulk to multiple campaigns and ad groups; modifying destination URLs for conversion tracking, and much more. Download AdWords Editor here.<br /><br />GENERAL APPROACH<br /><br />Tip 10 – Start simple and small, and go where the data takes you. PPC is an iterative activity. The data determines next steps. If you started with one campaign composed of five ad groups, expand the ad groups that show click and conversion activity and leave the others for later. Over time, advance to complex and large. Expand kw’s, ad groups and campaigns based on what has worked. In terms of time and effort, feed the winners and starve the losers. This approach will help you best focus your time and make you (or your client) more money!<br /><br />About the Author<br />Terry Whalen from <a href="http://CPCsearch.com" target="_new">CPCsearch.com</a>, a paid search agency About Terry:<br />Terry is a partner at CPCsearch, a full-service <a href="http://CPCsearch.com" target="_new">PPC Management</a> firm that optimizes PPC campaigns on behalf of its clients. CPC Search is a Google AdWords Qualified Company. Prior to running CPC Search, Terry led marketing initiatives at Citrix’s GoToMyPC.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071717727308764848noreply@blogger.com1