26 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
26 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Programmers are my subscribers how to sell to them ?

by JimRiley
21 replies
Hi,

I have developed a online form building software. It can be used to build forms online quite easily. (It's something like Wufoo)

I personally love coding and I have a programming blog since a year or so. I code small scripts and overtime I have a subscriber base of around 5000 developers on my programming blog. Mostly they are web developers.

How do I convince those developers to buy my software.

I am not sure if developers are fond of buying softwares themselves ?

Recently, I got feedback from few users that using our form solution increased their form conversions too ?

Should I focus on telling the developers about my form solution as the tool for enhancing their conversions or as a tool to easily build forms ?

What do you suggest ?
#programmers #sell #subscribers
  • Profile picture of the author imsolutionsgroup
    I suggest explaining to these developers how this will save them a ton of time since they don't need to start from scratch for each form/client.

    Although, your target audience for this product is probably going to be the every day business owner/web person who does not know how to code and build a form. Maybe instead of trying to sell these programmers on the product... try getting them to sign up for an affiliate account and let them sell the product to their clients and lists.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9380788].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
      Trying to make them as affiliate is an interesting idea. I haven't thought of that earlier.

      Thanks for taking time to reply.


      Originally Posted by imsolutionsgroup View Post

      I suggest explaining to these developers how this will save them a ton of time since they don't need to start from scratch for each form/client.

      Although, your target audience for this product is probably going to be the every day business owner/web person who does not know how to code and build a form. Maybe instead of trying to sell these programmers on the product... try getting them to sign up for an affiliate account and let them sell the product to their clients and lists.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381654].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author michakins
    Great you've developed a software for developers. I'm sure it's a classy one.

    I want you to know that everybody is a consume, even the top Internet marketers do buy products from the small guys.

    Let me give you two examples of two guys who were once considered small player but became BIG by targeting the people above them in the industry ladder.


    Spencer Haws of nichepursuits.com developed Long Tail Pro keyword tool.

    The tool was well received by the top experts as it made their lives and jobs easier.

    Glenn Allsopp of Viperchill developed Optin skins. The products was well received by influencers because its making them double their email subscribers.

    These guys aren't that popular before they came up with those products.

    What I will advice you to do is, get to know those developers on your list. Maybe you should survey them.

    Ask them what one software they would love to have in their arsenal?

    You have a big list and you can milk lot of profits from it by offering them the right product. The one they really need!

    Get to work on that.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9380825].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author salegurus
    Sooo, you are a programmer and your subs are programmers, you are trying to sell them the programmers a script which they themselves could code?
    Am i on the right track here?
    Signature
    Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

    ― George Carlin
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9380885].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
      Banned
      Originally Posted by salegurus View Post

      Sooo, you are a programmer and your subs are programmers, you are trying to sell them the programmers a script which they themselves could code?
      Am i on the right track here?
      Nope, you're barking up the wrong tree.

      I create my own software and I purchase components that help speed up the process. I also buy tools to speed up the coding process.

      There are a lot of companies selling "code" to programmers. You also have a lot of programmers tapping into open source projects because a large amount of the coding is already done.

      It's not about being able to code it, it's about saving time and not having to reinvent the wheel so to speak.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381558].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author shabit87
        You got some great advice here...as a developer I have to agree, you'd def want to sell them on the idea of saving time and headache. Tell them why that is the only form code they want to use and how happy ultimately their clients will be. Help them to understand that by using your code not only does it help them but their future clients.

        If you're always making code or plan to make future coding maybe sell them on a membership. A original code a month club, only available to members only, no open source.

        If you're good with selling code or software, consider training them too on how to market their code to the masses vs coding per client. Explain the benefits as far as doing code one time and focusing on selling multiple times or the fact that more customers mean more feedback for a 2.0 version you can upsell current buyers to and get new leads to invest in.

        Be creative, you got this!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381645].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
          Thanks a lot for your advice. You are right selling on idea of saving time and headache would be absolutely right thing to do.

          I am selling it as a membership product (SaaS type) already.

          They can easily create the form directly online and embed them on websites. My online form building service cost about $9.95/month. With which they can build and manage their own forms as well as their clients forms all at one place directly through my site online.




          Originally Posted by shabit87 View Post

          You got some great advice here...as a developer I have to agree, you'd def want to sell them on the idea of saving time and headache. Tell them why that is the only form code they want to use and how happy ultimately their clients will be. Help them to understand that by using your code not only does it help them but their future clients.

          If you're always making code or plan to make future coding maybe sell them on a membership. A original code a month club, only available to members only, no open source.

          If you're good with selling code or software, consider training them too on how to market their code to the masses vs coding per client. Explain the benefits as far as doing code one time and focusing on selling multiple times or the fact that more customers mean more feedback for a 2.0 version you can upsell current buyers to and get new leads to invest in.

          Be creative, you got this!
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381669].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author salegurus
        Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

        Nope, you're barking up the wrong tree.

        Thanks Thomas
        I was not getting it first time round....
        Signature
        Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

        ― George Carlin
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381656].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author stevenjacobs
    Banned
    what they buy is software's that makes it easier to develop . I would sell them products that do this
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381665].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
      Hi Steven,

      I am getting the same feedback. I think, I will try to sell developers on the easiness part for themselves and their clients.

      Thanks


      Originally Posted by stevenjacobs View Post

      what they buy is software's that makes it easier to develop . I would sell them products that do this
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381676].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Tom B
        Banned
        Originally Posted by JimRiley View Post

        Hi Steven,

        I am getting the same feedback. I think, I will try to sell developers on the easiness part for themselves and their clients.

        Thanks
        You sure you're selling this to the right people? How many of these programmers are working for themselves or have clients that they can justify 10 bucks a month for forms?

        There seems to be quite a bit "form creators" from doing a quick search. What makes your forms better?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381679].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
          Hi Thomas,

          I built quite a lot of things in the form building software to make it unique.

          For example:

          1. A programmer can get one license and can create multiple forms for his different clients and later can give his clients the access to their own forms for later management and access to entries.

          2. The embed that I provide with my form service is not only the regular form embed. But as a tabbed widget which appears on the right or left of the screen and clicking on it pops the form out.

          Having form on all the pages of the website with tabbed widget significantly improves the conversion for the users. Although, I am not sure if I can sell the conversion story to programmers.

          3. The form can connect to PayPal, Stripe etc and can be used to collect payments.

          4. It comes integrated with email marketing software like MailChimp, Aweber, MadMimi etc.

          I get about 1300 people visiting my programming blog daily. However, As I see I am not able to convert them as of now.


          Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

          You sure you're selling this to the right people? How many of these programmers are working for themselves or have clients that they can justify 10 bucks a month for forms?

          There seems to be quite a bit "form creators" from doing a quick search. What makes your forms better?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381703].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Tom B
            Banned
            Originally Posted by JimRiley View Post

            Hi Thomas,

            I built quite a lot of things in the form building software to make it unique.

            For example:

            1. A programmer can get one license and can create multiple forms for his different clients and later can give his clients the access to their own forms for later management and access to entries.

            2. The embed that I provide with my form service is not only the regular form embed. But as a tabbed widget which appears on the right or left of the screen and clicking on it pops the form out.

            Having form on all the pages of the website with tabbed widget significantly improves the conversion for the users. Although, I am not sure if I can sell the conversion story to programmers.

            3. The form can connect to PayPal, Stripe etc and can be used to collect payments.

            4. It comes integrated with email marketing software like MailChimp, Aweber, MadMimi etc.

            I get about 1300 people visiting my programming blog daily. However, As I see I am not able to convert them as of now.
            You forgot to answer the most important questions. Does the people coming to you blog need such a tool? Do they have clients that need such a tool or work for a company doing what they are told to do?


            You are having a hard time positioning and selling your software because you don't know anything about the people coming to your blog.

            No amount of marketing magic nor features will make sales appear if they don't want or need a form creator.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381717].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
              Does the people coming to you blog need such a tool?
              ----------------------------------------
              How do I know that whether they need the tool ?

              One of the thing that I am doing is,

              I am specifically writing all my blogs tailored towards some type of form codes that people need.

              For example:
              How to validate form fields via Javascript ?
              How to build popup forms using jQuery ?
              How to make your forms responsive to mobile ?

              So I am expecting those people need somekind of form solution ?
              But I am still not sure entirely if those people need the form solution and have clients who would want it ...



              Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

              You forgot to answer the most important questions. Does the people coming to you blog need such a tool? Do they have clients that need such a tool or work for a company doing what they are told to do?

              You are making what is probably the biggest mistake people make. You are having a hard time positioning and selling your software because you don't know anything about the people coming to your blog.

              No amount of marketing magic nor features will make sales appear if they don't want or need a form creator.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381728].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Tom B
                Banned
                Originally Posted by JimRiley View Post

                Does the people coming to you blog need such a tool?
                ----------------------------------------
                How do I know that whether they need the tool ?

                One of the thing that I am doing is,

                I am specifically writing all my blogs tailored towards some type of form codes that people need.

                For example:
                How to validate form fields via Javascript ?
                How to build popup forms using jQuery ?
                How to make your forms responsive to mobile ?

                So I am expecting those people need somekind of form solution ? But I still don't know entirely if those people need the form solution and have clients or not who would want it ...
                I'm assuming I am not the only who does this, but I will search for solutions when I'm having a hard time with something in particular.

                I will go to blogs and look at their solutions to see if it is something that can spur some insights into my problem.

                That doesn't mean I want to buy a prepackaged solution.

                Those examples you posted leads me to believe they are doing what I do and a prepacked solution isn't what they are searching for. Now if they were getting to you blog searching "form creator", well, you would be on to something.
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381732].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
                  I found it rather hard to get people on my website on keywords like "Form Creator". The competition is pretty high for that.

                  I am trying to find some alternative approach too.

                  Thanks



                  Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

                  I'm assuming I am not the only who does this, but I will search for solutions when I'm having a hard time with something in particular.

                  I will go to blogs and look at their solutions to see if it is something that can spur some insights into my problem.

                  That doesn't mean I want to buy a prepackaged solution.

                  Those examples you posted leads me to believe they are doing what I do and a prepacked solution isn't what they are searching for. Now if they were getting to you blog searching "form creator", well, you would be on to something.
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381743].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author Tom B
                    Banned
                    Originally Posted by JimRiley View Post

                    I found it rather hard to get people on my website on keywords like "Form Creator". The competition is pretty high for that.

                    I am trying to find some alternative approach too.

                    Thanks
                    Sure, most here on the forum understand what you're trying to do when it comes to dealing with competitive markets.

                    Still, you can't force a product on someone who may not be interested in a prepackaged solution. As I said, the people coming to you blog are more than likely looking for a coding solution which is entirely different to a prepackaged product.

                    I have an feeling that you're market for this product isn't programmers but possibly people who are less technical in nature. Sort of like IM'ers who require different types of forms on their websites.

                    Check out the offline section of this site. You have IM'ers who are helping businesses get online and many of them are being paid monthly fees. Your product may be perfect for those types of people. If you plan on charging a monthly fee, I suspect looking for customers that can pass on those monthly fees to clients would be ideal.
                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381749].message }}
                    • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
                      Thanks for your suggestion Thomas.

                      I will check out that section and will talk to few IM'ers.

                      Thanks again.

                      Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

                      Sure, most here on the forum understand what you're trying to do when it comes to dealing with competitive markets.

                      Still, you can't force a product on someone who may not be interested in a prepackaged solution. As I said, the people coming to you blog are more than likely looking for a coding solution which is entirely different to a prepackaged product.

                      I have an feeling that you're market for this product isn't programmers but possibly people who are less technical in nature. Sort of like IM'ers who require different types of forms on their websites.

                      Check out the offline section of this site. You have IM'ers who are helping businesses get online and many of them are being paid monthly fees. Your product may be perfect for those types of people. If you plan on charging a monthly fee, I suspect looking for customers that can pass on those monthly fees to clients would be ideal.
                      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381759].message }}
                      • Profile picture of the author Tom B
                        Banned
                        Oh, and test out actual monthly payments compared to yearly payments. It looks like all of your payments are yearly. I would test adding a monthly fee option on top of the yearly options. A discount for paying yearly of course.
                        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381771].message }}
                        • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
                          Actually it's already there.

                          On the same page there is Monthly Billing as well.

                          Thanks


                          Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

                          Oh, and test out actual monthly payments compared to yearly payments. It looks like all of your payments are yearly. I would test adding a monthly fee option on top of the yearly options. A discount for paying yearly of course.
                          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9381802].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PeterCastle
    How is your solution better than Wufoo and Jotform?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9627805].message }}

Trending Topics