REFRESH to rotate MAAMAW'S CLICKY NOTES thru this space..... Timely Tips, Best of the Boards & More



You'll find great information in this "Read Only" Archive, but remember..... things change.
Be sure to visit the Current Message Board when you're finished here.

We're very friendly, so don't be shy... just jump right in and post your question.
Scams outnumber legitimate biz ops about a bzillion to one, so it's well worth your time.


| View Thread | Return to Index | Read Prev Msg | Read Next Msg |

FIB - Scams 101 - Ye Olde Archives

For ERIC -- Dream Business Plan

Posted By: Mel. White
Thursday, 27 January 2005, at 7:25 a.m.

Eric wrote:
OK i'll bite.

Software. I have a few ideas for applications that I think would be very useful. Ideally a site where I can provide monthly content.
----------------------------------------------------

For my money, the very best way to do this is through a big software site like TuCows (http://www.tucows.com) or Download or ZDNet or Shareware or Jumbo (and savvy programmers use all of them.) Write your application, release it as shareware or crippleware (give it the ability to store, say, only three files in the freeware version) and post it to those sites. There's a huge volume of shoppers who go browsing for software there; more than you could possibly reach with any ad.

Make sure that this software does NOT target a tiny audience (i.e., left-handed wrench washers)

Before you place your software on one of those sites, click through on several links to see what their Software makers sites look like. If your clickthrough link looks like one of those "sales letter pages", then people will surf away without buying. If it looks like a "software developer page" then they'll stay and read content and buy. Your software developer page should also have a 'mailing list' link on it or a link to a Yahoo group where you make announcements (There's a number of software developers who do this. Cybershaman is the one I read.)

Also, look at ads for things that are similar to your code -- see how the successful ones there write their announcements and use those as templates for your own advertisement. Price your software in the same range as these guys.

Announce your software (with site-owner permission) on email groups or BBSs.

Attracting visitors: Fresh content brings them in. Start reviewing products associated with your software (for instance, if you have a game softwaere then review books on Amazon (books on science fiction and fantasy or movies or gaming or something -- borrow them at your local library) and put your own affiliate link to click on (Amazon lets you join as an affiliate for free. When someone clicks your link and buys a book, you get a percentage.)

Affiliate links to products of interest (carefully targeted Google ads, for instance) can also generate revenue.

This is a quick (3 months), Almost No Cost business. All you need is the code, the text for announcements and ideas on what you want to offer on your site along with this -- and a website (it could be a single page.)

Now, that will get you money. For larger amounts, you will need to "go pro" and start selling your product in places like Office Depot. That means finding a way to manufacture the CDs, contracting a designer to design graphics for boxes and manuals, and contracting editors (or writers) for manuals, and establishing copyrights.

Check with the Software Publishers' Association for more help.

Messages in This Thread

Have you read MAAMAW'S CLICKY NOTES today?
Excuse me... You MISSED them??
At the top o' the page in the blue bars (sheesh!).

| View Thread | Return to Index | Read Prev Msg | Read Next Msg |

FIB - Scams 101 - Ye Olde Archives is maintained with WebBBS 3.11.


You'll find great information in this "Read Only" Archive, but remember..... things change.
Be sure to visit the Current Message Board when you're finished here.

We're very friendly, so don't be shy... just jump right in and post your question.
Scams outnumber legitimate biz ops about a bzillion to one, so it's well worth your time.



NOTICE TO SCUMBEEZLES
(you know who you are... you scream "Foul!" when the truth comes out)
        PLEASE READ THIS LEGAL NOTICE CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU FILE A LAWSUIT OR EVEN WASTE TIME THINKING ABOUT IT.  It has been done before, but never successfully.  In fact, the last dodobird who tried it ended up being ordered to pay more than $77,000 in attorney fees ($65,000+ to my attorneys and $12,000+ to my co-defendant's legal advisor).
        If your attorney is worth his salt, he's going to tell you that the expense of filing a lawsuit you can't win is a whole lot worse than any "damages" resulting from messages posted on this insignificant little chunk of cyberspace.
        NEWS FLASH:  I didn't just climb down off that ol' turnip truck yesterday.  I'm well aware that expressing a negative opinion, relating one's personal experience, and restating provable facts are all legal in this country and do not constitute libel, slander, or defamation -- so you don't want to play games with me, and you sure don't want to start something you aren't prepared to finish.  I don't take threats lightly, and I don't accept bribes (or did you call it a "mutually-beneficial arrangement"?).  I'll turn you in faster than you can yell, "ARREST ME, I'M SCUM!!" 
        Do yourself a favor and turn your legal team loose in greener pastures.

        Although we may, from time to time, monitor or review discussions, postings and the like on the Friends In Business (Scams 101) Message Board, we are under no obligation to do so.  We are not responsible or liable for any claim arising from the content of any such discussions or postings or for any error, defamation, libel, slander, omission, falsehood, obscenity, pornography, profanity, danger, or inaccuracy contained in any information contained within such locations on the Site.
        You are prohibited from posting or transmitting any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, pornographic, or profane materials or any material that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any law.  You are likewise prohibited from posting any false claims against any company or individual.  We will fully cooperate with any law enforcement authorities or court order requesting or directing us to disclose the identity of anyone posting any such information or materials.
        By posting messages and/or content on the Friends In Business (Scams 101) Message Board, you give permission for Lesley Fountain/Friends In Business/Shoestring Success Publications to display, distribute and use the posting and content for publication, advertising, promotion, excerption or example. You grant Lesley Fountain/Friends In Business/Shoestring Success Publications complete, perpetual, but non-exclusive rights to use, archive, reproduce, adapt, modify, distribute, sub-license, repurpose, rework, compile, or offer for sale or resale the messages, postings or content appearing on this site in whole or in part, throughout the world and universe, on a royalty-free basis without remuneration.  If you cannot accept or agree with the terms of service for this website and discussion board, you are advised not to post on this board.
        In closing, I would like to remind you once again that it is still legal, in this great country of ours, to express a PERSONAL OPINION, as long as it is presented as opinion and not as fact.
        And finally, all you scammers out there will do well to remember that TRUTH IS AN ABSOLUTE DEFENSE against charges of libel, defamation, and slander... so if you're operating just a hop, skip, and jump ahead of the law, you might want to think twice before doing anything stupid... (AND SHAME ON YOU!!).