Educational Software Cooperative 4/Educational Software Cooperative 4.iso/mxdb/software/base/d1723.txt

Text File | 1994-12-09 | 5.6 KB | 113 lines

Hello fellow shareware author.  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is
Duke Burrell, I work for a major insurance company in the midwest as
a Network Administrator.  I have over 10 years experience in computers
ranging from programming in PASCAL, C, Visual Basic to setting up complex
networks spanning several states.  I am very pleased that you have given
me to the opportunity to discuss a very important matter with you.


As a shareware author I know how frustrating it can be to get your programs
out to the masses. You can post them on-line or pass them along by word of
mouth.  However, do you know that the people that download your program
are genuinely interested or browsing with no intent to buy. Wouldn't it
be better if you could get a description of your program out to people that
are known shareware buyers?  If you are interested, then I may have quite
the advertising opportunity for you.


You see I am in the process of starting a shareware catalog that I will
distribute to known shareware buyers all over the country.  The catalog
will comprise of a listing of shareware programs that authors have elected
to include in the catalog.  For $15 for a bi-monthly run, I will run a 1/3
page advertisement or description of your software program.  The catalog
will be sent to people that are active shareware users as well as new
computer owners that are just exploring the world of shareware.  Before
you decide that you'd rather do something else with your 15 bucks, consider
the advantages of my offer:

*    I provide a no-hassle method for you to advertise your program to
     people that you were unaware of, directly.

*    A nicely laid out ad that gives you, the author, an opportunity to
     describe your program as you see fit.  I will merely print the ad.
     Please see attached sample of page layout.

*    Separate software categories for different topics of programs.

*    Table of contents and index for easy searching.

*    The catalog is sent out every other month to the same patrons if
     they placed an order, or to a new group.

*    The catalog will include brief  how-to articles on DOS, Windows,
     Netware and a host of other popular computer issues.  All authors
     welcome to submit articles.

*    Each program will have a unique code that identifies the author
     and other related information such as address and price of the software.

*    The option of me distributing the software to the customer, thus saving
     you money on diskettes and mailing.  I collect no money for your software,
     I just send it and they contact you, the author.

*    Deals on multiple ads -  1    ad   $15  (every 2 months)
                              2-5  ads  $12.50
                              5-10 ads  $10.00
                              10+  ads  $5.00

     This offer is for authors that have multiple programs that they wish
     to list.


I realize that there are certain number of cautious programmers out there that
just don't want to part with $15.  But I also realize that if given the
opportunity to expose my program to a mass of people that I was previously
unable to, I would jump at the offer especially for only $15.  I forgot
to tell you that since this is the maiden voyage of this catalog, the
advertisers (you the programmers) are gettign a price that will double after
the second issue.  BUT - as a first time subscriber, your cost for the
advertisement will ALLWAYS be $15 (or one of the aforementioned
multiple add deal) for the life of the catalog or as long as you want to
advertise - even if you decide you don't want to advertise in the publication
for several issues then change you mind. Once the catalog  gets off the ground
and exposure potential is seen, I truly anticipate that the number of shareware
authors advertising will skyrocket.

For those of you that question my madness, I thought I would step through the
process a customer would perform to order a program:

1.   The customer would browse the catalog, either via the index or table
     of contents.

2.   They would find the software they are interested in, read about it, look
     at the requirements and jot down the 5 digit code on the order form.

3.   I would receive the order form with the code which identifies the author
     and send the author a form indicating the program and to whom it should
     be sent.

4.   I would in turn contact the customer via mail that their order has been
     routed to the the programmer and that they should be receiving their
     software anytime.  Or, as I mentioned above if the software was sent
     to me for distribution, I will send it to the customer along with the
     name and address of the author.  I will collect no money during the
     process.  The only money I collect, is that for placing the ad.



If you are interested in this offer, please respond by the January 16, 1995 for
the first issue, which is planned for distribution in March, 1995.  I really
feel you can benefit from this opportunity.  This catalog is going to reach
an amazing number of people - why not have your program listed for widespread
exposure.  At only $15 for a single ad, you save tons of dough as compared to
advertising in a major publication.  So don't hesitate to fill out the
enclosed form and drop it in the mail by the deadline.

If you get your order in by January 1, 1995, I will send you a copy of your ad
to review and verify that it's ok to print.  That gives you enough time to
make changes and return the revised ad.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Duke Burrell