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A serious question for marketing geniuses

by Yui Hirasawa
11 replies
G'day warriors,
I've come to ask some advice off you, and I'd love some feedback if you have the time.

I'm a software developer who has a massive passion for making useful tools for b2b businesses and small businesses.
Already I've created data scraping software (manta, yellow pages, etc) and a few recruitment agency managers, though I am lacking the skill of sale.

What happens is that I'll have a crazy idea, which I have the urge to act on immediately.
I'll spend a whole week making a piece of software and when I'm finished...
... sit in front of my computer saying "How the hell am I going to sell this?".

I've tried various ways, like outsourcing telemarketers & sending bulky mail, but this doesn't seem to be going the right way for me.

If you could throw me some handy tips to point me in the right direction, I would heavily appreciate it.

Cheers for your time,
Alan.
#geniuses #marketing #question #serious
  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Yui Hirasawa View Post

    I'll spend a whole week making a piece of software and when I'm finished... ... sit in front of my computer saying "How the hell am I going to sell this?".
    Originally Posted by Yui Hirasawa View Post

    If you could throw me some handy tips to point me in the right direction, I would heavily appreciate it.
    G'day cobber, I suggest you start by finding out what people already want to buy ("researching the market"), and then try to find a way of providing it for them/selling it to them.

    .
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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    Alan,

    Quit designing software first.

    Find a problem that needs to be solved, where people are willing to
    pay for a software based solution... then design the software to solve
    the problem.

    Marketing is about researching the niche before creating the product.

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author martbost
    I agree with John...it sounds like a "solution in search of a problem" to me. I applaud your talents and would do the market research to determine the niche/need first. Once you have a few ideas, crank out some tools and create a WSO and let Warrior Forum handle the sales.

    You could also offer your tools on Clickbank and let them do the selling in their market place as well if you are not good in that area.

    Just my thoughts.
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    • Profile picture of the author jdsdevelopers
      As John says, if you could look at the possible problems the majority of people are facing which could be solved by your software, there would be buyers no doubt. There are many ways to sell your much needed software, to mention a few:

      1.Make a website which describes features of what your software does and sell it via there. Its pretty easy to make simple websites using open source software nowadays so if could not hire someone to do this, you can easily do this on your own in couple of days. If your software is worth selling, its worth the time to create a website for it.

      2. Once you have a website, list it in marketplaces such as ClickBank, ClickSure, etc.

      3. Find the people in here or anywhere who offer solo ads for buyers of your software and let them mail it out.

      4. Last but not least, share it online on as many sharing sites you can so people are aware of it.

      Again if your software is solving one of the major problems of a good amount of a people, there is no way, it won't sell.

      All The Best
      Riya
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      • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
        Others have already listed your obvious problem in the first few post, so I won't beat that drum anymore.

        But you realize it's hard to give specifics because you didn't mention what the software does. So, I'll ask this,

        • What problems does it solve?
        • What's the story behind you coming up with this software idea?
        • Do you have any competitors? If so, what makes yours different?

        You should get the answers to those 3 questions down pat because it will help you speak to your market. That's what you'll want to include in your marketing and advertising.

        Plus, if you ever hire a copywriter those are the first questions they'll ask you.
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        • Profile picture of the author Yui Hirasawa
          Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

          Others have already listed your obvious problem in the first few post, so I won't beat that drum anymore.

          But you realize it's hard to give specifics because you didn't mention what the software does. So, I'll ask this,

          • What problems does it solve?
          • What's the story behind you coming up with this software idea?
          • Do you have any competitors? If so, what makes yours different?

          You should get the answers to those 3 questions down pat because it will help you speak to your market. That's what you'll want to include in your marketing and advertising.

          Plus, if you ever hire a copywriter those are the first questions they'll ask you.
          Thanks for your reply,
          Interesting questions, they will be something I'll take note of for the future.

          To answer those three questions,
          The software I design is revolved around being simple and easy to use (straight to the point).
          There's nothing worse than purchasing something and not knowing where the hell to start.
          My software usually revolves in around 3 clicks to get fully up and started;
          - Click Search
          - Enter Query
          - Click Go

          What makes me different is how my software is literally usable by someone who doesn't understand a computer and provides a very quick update if anything goes wrong that stops the software from working.

          Thanks again,
          Alan
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          • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
            Originally Posted by Yui Hirasawa View Post

            Thanks for your reply,
            Interesting questions, they will be something I'll take note of for the future.

            To answer those three questions,
            The software I design is revolved around being simple and easy to use (straight to the point).
            There's nothing worse than purchasing something and not knowing where the hell to start.
            My software usually revolves in around 3 clicks to get fully up and started;
            - Click Search
            - Enter Query
            - Click Go

            What makes me different is how my software is literally usable by someone who doesn't understand a computer and provides a very quick update if anything goes wrong that stops the software from working.

            Thanks again,
            Alan
            Still very vague description. O.k, I see you have the classic problem most software developers, inventors, creators have. Good at creating -- bad at communicating or selling.

            So, you shouldn't ask how can I sell this? You should ask, why should I sell this? So,

            1. Get a sheet of paper write out all the benefits and unique features and fill out at least one side, keep writing until you run out of room or ideas.
            2. Then put it aside for a day or two.
            3. Next, come back and pick out the most specific benefits you can find.
            4. Then find a 10-12 year old and read it to them. If they can understand what you're talking about good. If not, go back and work on it.

            Moral: You've got to be able to communicate clear, specific benefits so your market can easily understand or hire someone who can. If not, find another occupation.

            Note: Very few people take the time to do this simple or other similar pre-selling actions.

            Most just want to skip this and quickly find a product then start wondering how can I sell it? Not realizing the better work you do before the selling process begins ... the easier the selling process goes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sunganani
    1. Find a niche with a problem they are willing to pay to get solved.
    2. Provide that solution
    3. Get paid.
    In that order.
    The rest is just filling.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Jericho
    Banned
    Many people here would be interested in decent scraping software. Why not Launch your very own WSO?

    Feel free PM me if you need any help.
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    • Profile picture of the author Yui Hirasawa
      Originally Posted by Ryan Jericho View Post

      Many people here would be interested in decent scraping software. Why not Launch your very own WSO?

      Feel free PM me if you need any help.
      Sounds like a good idea.
      I'll shoot you a PM about this tomorrow morning and we'll have a chat about it.

      Still a newbie on this forum, but learning so much in my time here.

      Cheers,
      Alan
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  • Profile picture of the author Yui Hirasawa
    Cheers for all the helpful messages.
    I'll definitely need to do some market research on nice little niches and make software for that sort of problem.
    Also, thanks again Riya for the numbered tips, they were really informative.

    Regards,
    Alan
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