Software Promotion

Software Promotion

by: Sharon Housley

Software Announce

Creating amazing software is only half the battle. Telling the world about your software is the other half. With working capital, consider employing someone who specializes in software promotion. To work with an established reputable firm can esure success when marketing software. Two promotional companies that know the software industry, and can provide valuable marketing advice and insight are:

Shareware Promotions http://www.sharewarepromotions.com

Dr File Finder http://www.drff.com .

Outside of hiring professionals to market software, there are still a number of options for marketing software, in most cases, the only investment will be time.

1. Post Press Releases to Online Resources

If press releases or product announcements are sent out, consider posting the announcements to websites, there are a number that allow for press release posting free of charge. The releases on these sites are occasionally picked up by publications looking for information or filler content. Another side benefit to these listings is increased link popularity, which helps with search engine ranking. A list of sites that allow for press release posting can be found under กpress release postingก A number are available at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/pressreleases.html

2. Post Announcement on Usenet

A number of Usenet groups allow for posting of announcements or press releases. Most of the announce groups in Usenet contain กann.ก in the domain address. To locate topic specific announce groups consider searching Newsguy.com. A list of common software announce groups are listed below.

comp.software.shareware.announce

fm.announce

3. Post to Forums

Forums also contain sections in which you can post announcements. If the application is niche product, consider searching for topic specific forums in addition to the general software announce forums listed below. Be sure to post any announcements in the appropriately marked กannounce forumก

http://www.smallbusinesssoftware.net/forum/

http://forum.mypdacafe.com

http://forums.digitalsea.com/

http://download.net/forums/index.php

http://www.developersforum.com/

http://v2.tlab404.com/forum

Topic specific software announce forums are also available, such as http://www.messagingsoftware.com/forum only messaging related announcements are welcome

4. Search Usenet

To determine if there are recent inquiries regarding related software or your products and to post appropriate responses search Googleกs Forum directory (by date): http://groups.google.com/

5. Present to Local User Groups

User groups are filled with technically savvy individuals who have an interest in technology and software. Consider attending and presenting software at a local user group meeting or a SIG (special interest group). The targeted audience will often share information, about software that impresses them, with friends or other user groups. To find local user groups search the database located on the Association of Professional User Group (APCUG) website at http://www.apcug.org or post an inquiry to the user group forum on http://www.smallbusinesssoftware.net/forum/

6. Partner with Other Developers

Consider a developer newsletter exchange. Complimentary products often do well when presented properly. Provide a discount or affiliate exchange to sweeten the offer of a mention.

The extra effort expended to make potential customers aware of products can go a long way to ensure the success of a well designed application.

About The Author

Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.smallbusinesssoftware.net

This article was posted on April 20, 2004

by Sharon Housley

Postcard Marketing Your Small Business

Postcard Marketing Your Small Business

by: Eileen ‘turtleก Parzek

One of the best marketing strategies a business or organization can use is postcards. Even before the arrival of online postcard printing and mailing services, postcards had a good reputation amongst guerilla marketers because:

They are fast, easy and relatively cheap making them a boon to small business owners who are short on cash and time, yet need to build their brand and stay in front of their customers.

A beautiful, full color glossy postcard is not going in the trash without first being read.

You can add a personal note. Plus, postcards create a pleasant emotional response because they are usually received by friends and family.

When you advertise your business anywhere else, your competition knows it. But when you use postcards to communicate with your customers, it is direct to them and your competition will have no idea.

With the new web technologies for postcards, itกs super convenient to just send one or as many as you need without the effort of hand writing, addressing and mailing each one.

What is particularly nice about postcards is that nearly any business or organization can benefit from a structured, targeted postcard marketing strategy. Take a look at some of the ways postcards can be used.

Thank you notes. You can send a quick thank you to anyone for any reason and they will be so surprised and pleased that you took the time. If someone sends you a referral or business lead, gives you some information you needed, mentions you in an article send them a note that shows you appreciate it!

A followup offer or service. Within 30 days after a purchase of a product or completion of a service, send them a discounted offer for a related service or product. Don’t miss the opportunity for an aftersale contact.

Gift certificates or coupons. Show your best customers that you appreciate them by sending a gift certificate that they can use any time in the next year. Even better, leave a space on it for them to fill out a friend or colleagues name and give it to someone else to introduce them to your business.

Announce a new project or completed work. Postcards are perfect for photographers, web designers, architects, graphic artists, or anyone else who wants to keep their clients in the loop on what they are working on, with something visual and tangible.

Secret sales and presales for preferred customers. Treat your existing and favorite clients to a sale that no one else knows about or give them an advanced peak at your new product line.

Introduce products or services. Postcards are an economical way to inform people about your product or services, or announce new ones.

Announce a new web site. Create an announcement of your new web presence and invite everyone you know to come check it out.

Remember special days. Send your contacts a holiday greeting or thank you note for Thanksgiving. If you keep track of special dates in your customerกs lives like birthdays or anniversaries, you can send them a colorful postcard letting them know you are thinking of them.

Reminders. Businesses that rely on repeat business can take advantage of postcards to send reminders and its not just for dentists any more! Why not remind your past customers of upcoming birthdays or anniversaries, or special holidays like secretariesก day or thanksgiving, at just the right time? Or perhaps your database tells you when they have likely run out of whatever they bought so you can send them a reminder that its time to visit you again.

Just staying in touch. People like to be remembered and postcards are an economical and easy way to say ‘thinking of you.ก

Recognition. Send out a postcard to let people know your good news about accomplishments and awards or reviews you have received.

Invitations to an event. Postcards can be used to announce seminars you are speaking at, open houses, book signings, and any variety of special events.

Think about all the ways you can use postcards, and then explore the many ways that you can automate the process of sending them out quickly and cheaply. This is one of those marketing strategies which looks much more costly than it really is, and will return more than you put into it. The best part is, practically any small business can benefit.

© 2003 Eileen P. Parzek, SOHO It Goes!

About The Author

Eileen ‘turtleก Parzek is a veteran marketing designer and online communications consultant who has been working from home and virtually since 1995. You can subscribe to her free monthly newsletter called Increase Your Reach: Infuse Your Marketing with Technology at http://www.sohoitgoes.com

NOTE: You’re welcome to ‘reprintก this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the กabout the authorก info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to [email protected]

This article was posted on November 11, 2003

by Eileen ‘turtleก Parzek