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1990-05-25
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SHAREWARE STARTUP: ON DISK
If you have written business, educational, utility, graphics, or other
shareware that you want to put into people's hands fast then read further.
This article describes a kit which will help you put your shareware into market
channels quickly so that you have the potential to collect registrations on an
international scale.
The Sunny Software Development Company has put together a well supported
database of domestic and foreign distributors of shareware. These distributors
are always on the lookout for new products to offer their customers. Getting a
product to these distributors can be difficult if you have to start from
scratch and find out who the active distributors are and then put all the
pieces together for a mailing campaign.
Peter Raeth, president of Sunny Software, says that his company's kit contains
the following software. Each item is a link in the chain which leads from
product development to market insertion.
TCOPY: A user-supported disk mass-duplicator from Pass-Around Software.
MAIL: Database and supporting programs for shareware distribution.
a) An extensive database of domestic and foreign distributors.
b) Letter-merge software for generating cover letters.
c) Label-merge software for generating mailing labels.
d) Title software for generating disk labels.
PKZIP: A user-supported disk file compaction utility from PKWare.
LETTERS: Sample cover and other business letters.
Remember, "user-supported" means that you have to pay a fee to the author if
the software is used beyond an evaluation period.
The general idea for getting your shareware into people's hands, once you have
your program ready for market, is:
1) Pack your files to fit on one distribution disk (PKZIP)
2) Make many copies of your distribution disk (TCOPY)
3) Label all those disks (MAIL)
4) Write a nice distribution letter (LETTERS)
5) Find some distributors to whom to send your program (MAIL)
6) Send your letter and disk to all those distributors (MAIL)
Be aware that shareware distribution is a slow process and that people only
register if they really like and use your product.
Each of the above major categories of software comes in a self-unpacking
directory. Each directory has its own documentation. All the programs in MAIL
are very short and written in MicroSoft Basic. They come in interpretable and
executable versions. Comments are provided in helpful places. Label
programs produce 3.5" x 15/16" labels (continuous, one wide). Letter programs
produce a one-page 8.5" x 11" letter.
It can be expensive to mail disks to 500 contacts all at once. What is best is
to print all the letters and labels. Then set a monthly dollar figure, mailing
out units as you can afford it. The selection of which distributors to mail to
should take into account the fact that it is better to widely distribute the
units rather than to focus on a given geographical area. So, pick a few on the
east coast, west coast, and in mid-America for each batch of mailings.
If you want a kit to help you get your product into shareware market channels
quickly then send $20 to the following address or write for further details.
The Sunny Software Development Company
PO Box 31182
Dayton, Ohio 45431-0182
In the group of files in this directory, you will find a database of shareware
distributors. This database is arranged as a text file which can be sent
directly to your printer. Just load the printer with labels and type the
command "copy authors.prn prn:" Also on this disk you will find a sample
distribution letter. Those who register this database will receive all the
directories described above along with the latest additions to the database.
The Sunny Software Development Company has several printed reports and books
available. Some come with disks. The prices given below are subject to
change. They pay all postage, handling, and taxes. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks
for delivery. Non-US addressees should add $4.00 to cover additional
shipping costs. All requests for service or additional information receive a
prompt reply. All disks are for PC/clone under MS-DOS v2.0+.
1. FREE COMPUTER AND HIGH TECH MAGAZINES - (By Peter G. Raeth) Over
295 titles in over 33 categories of subscriptions received free every month by
hundreds of thousands of qualified people. See detailed description below. We
can produce this report in quantity to your specifications as a premium for
your customers. Most publishers will not send free subscriptions to non-US
addresses because of high shipping costs. Single copy price: $ 7.95
2. HOMEGROWN COMPUTER PROFITS - (By Marsha K. Chandler) Discusses many
ways to produce income using a microcomputer. Offers hints on equipment
selection. Introduces starting a business. (168 pages) $14.35
3. SHAREWARE STARTUP: ON-DISK - (By Peter G. Raeth) If you have
written a hot user-supported program you want to put in lots of peoples' hands
fast, this disk is for you. It contains all you need to reach national and
international shareware distributors, BBSs, and clubs: an extensive list of
names and addresses plus source-code software written in Basic which prints
disk labels, mailing labels, and form letters merged with the addresses. The
addresses are in zip code order. Bonus - 100 example business letters for many
occasions (including one for distributing your software), a disk file
compaction program, and a disk mass duplication program. (These bonus items are
user-supported.) This disk is the kit all shareware authors need to get
started. (Ordered with item #2 above, only $15.) Alone: $20.00
4. EXPERT SYSTEMS: A SOFTWARE METHODOLOGY FOR MODERN APPLICATIONS -
(By Peter G. Raeth) A hard-back collection of articles from the professional
and popular literature selected and organized to give you the ability to
understand and apply this modern software development methodology. Perfect for
those trying to make industrial applications of modern computing methods.
Contains a good mix of theory and practicality. (400 pages) $73.00
5. DECISION SUPPORT VIA EXPERT SYSTEMS, WITH DISK - (By Peter G.
Raeth) Introduction to the use of expert systems in decision support. The case
in point is manufacturing observation and control but the principles can be
applied to any environment where time-sequenced data is observed in order to
support decisions. Turbo Pascal v3.0 and v5.0 source code is supplied on disk.
This code implements the principles described in the report. Available
starting Oct 1990. (Ordered with item #4 above, only $10.00) Alone: $15.00
6. MARKETING SUPPORT DISK - (By Peter G. Raeth) Contains a database of
all the names and addresses, in zip code order, of the magazines listed in item
#1 above. Also includes mail-merge, label generator, and sample business
letters. (Ordered with item #1 above, only $10.00) Alone: $15.00
7. THE CONSULTANTS KIT: ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING YOUR SUCCESSFUL
CONSULTING BUSINESS - (By Dr. Jeffrey Lant) This is the one book specifically
recommended by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) to new and aspiring
consultants in any field. Learn exactly what you need to know to make a
success of your new consulting business. If you're thinking about consulting
or have been in business under a year, this is the resource you need. It's the
only resource on consulting recommended by "What Color is your Parachute?" (the
best-selling career guide of all time). (203 pages) $30.00
Peter G. Raeth has been active in the information systems applications field
for more than 15 years. He holds degrees from the Air Force Institute of
Technology at Dayton, OH (MS Computer Engineering), The University of South
Carolina at Columbia (BS Electrical Engineering), and the Trident Technical
College at Hanahan, SC (AS Electronics Engineering Technology). His
applications span the business, engineering, and scientific arenas. He has
written one book and numerous articles on the application of advanced computing
methodologies.
================================================================================
Please send the following products. I understand that you pay all postage.
handling, and taxes for addressees in the United States. ($4 extra, non-USA)
1. ______ Free Computer and High Tech Magazines ($7.95)
2. ______ Homegrown Computer Profits ($14.95)
3. ______ Shareware Startup: On Disk ($15.00 with #2, $20.00 alone)
4. ______ Expert Systems: A Software Methodology for Modern Applications($73.00)
5. ______ Decision Support Via Expert Systems ($10.00 with #4, $15.00 alone)
6. ______ Marketing Support Disk ($10.00 with #1, $15.00 alone)
7. ______ The Consultants Kit ($30.00)
NAME: __________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________
CITY: ____________________________________ STATE: __________ ZIP: ______________
Send To: The Sunny Software Development Company
PO Box 31182
Dayton, Ohio 45431-0182 USA
(Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. Non-US addressees add $4 postage.)
================================================================================