Editor's note: Please see the attached document, SharewareMarketing.doc for a beautifully formatted version of this article on marketing your software. A plain text version is also attached, to insure that everyone can read it. The introduction and table of contents are copied below.
Eldron is a successful shareware author with several programs published. His "Birthday Keeper" has won five-star awards from several of the download sites. He has also published "New Testament in a Year", "Joke a Day", "Verse a Day", and "Sermon Keeper". All were written in Liberty BASIC!
Visit Eldron's website here:
http://www.eaglesoartech.com/
Contact Eldron:
contact@eaglesoartech.com
Before reading this great article, you'll want to study Brad Moore's article, "The Road to Release" from issue #99, where he describes all of the steps needed to get a program ready for distribution, from writing and testing the code, through packaging and installing it on a user's computer.
Shareware Marketing by Eldron Gill
Introduction
This document briefly explains and suggests different avenues, methods, and techniques available for shareware authors to market their software. The primary focus is online marketing but there are some off-line suggestions as well.
Table Of Contents
I. Introduction II. Submit Shareware To Download Sites III. Submit To Search Engines And Directories IV. Classified Ads V. Pop Under Ads VI. Pop Up Ads VII. Banner Ads VIII. Press Releases IX. Word of Mouth X. Promotional Events XI. Adware Options XII. Referral Marketing XIII. Testimonials XIV. Business Cards XV. Affiliate Programs XVI. E-mail Marketing XVII. Ezine's XVIII. Signature's XIX. Discussion Lists XX. Reviews XXI. Web-Site Pressroom XXII. Newsletter