desknet started this topic @ 12:48 on 16/06/2004
Hi,
I am a software developer and have recently concluded work on a more effective replacement to opt-in email marketing and newsletters as a means for SME's to maintain customer/visitor contact. Details can be found on http://www.desknet.co.uk
My problem is that whilst I own a first class product with huge potential across a global market, I write software, I am not a salesman. When it comes to marketing and selling this product, I am totally lost and fear that my bunglings in this area may well be costly.
I have largely come to terms with the fact that I need a partner who has the ability, knowledge and resources to take deskNET to its potential. However, my knowledge of business is such that I don't even know where to start looking for such a partner or even if such arrangements are possible in the first place.
Given the uniqueness of deskNET as a marketing and sales tool which does not use over-burdened email servers, may well be elligable for some kind of government grant, but again...I develop software.
Any advice on resources or moving my product forward would be very much appreciated.
Best wishes
RE: Advice Please: marketing and sales
neo3media | 16/06/2004 01:35 PM
hi desknet,
Looks like a good product - i think! Not to sure on what it does though.
We could help - but not with direct marketing as such.
You have a good product but a poor website - you should consider having your site professionally designed. People need to feel confident that the product they are paying for is worth the investment. Dont underestermate how important corporate branding is even to a small business. Develop a company logo, have some lealfets produced or a promotional CD that can be posted out to companies. It is hard to generate traffic on the web but if you sent mail outs that outlined your product and asked them to visit your site for more info it might be a start and could generate some leads. Other than that try not to launch your product until you are 100% happy with how the whole package looks and feels.
www.neo3media.net can offer you a LOGO, SITE(redesign), PROMO CD, LEAFLETS and info on obtaining an 0870 or 0871 PHONE NUMBER.
Hope that helps
www.neo3media.net - designs for print, web, multimedia and music technology.
Full design and marketing solution for your business startup 0870 758 0 748
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www.neo3media.net - designs for print, web, multimedia and music technology.
Full design and marketing solution for your business startup.
T: 0870 758 0 748
RE: Advice Please: marketing and sales
Adam | 17/06/2004 01:22 AM
So similar the browser bars from the BBC etc that beam content to your desktop?
I could sell it but I have a few too many projects on the go at the moment.
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RE: Advice Please: marketing and sales
afam | 19/06/2004 08:11 PM
Desknet,
Work on the site if you have the time and funds. A more professionally looking site will be better that the way it is now. Don't get me wrong, the effectiveness of the site is ok and does not need retouching, all you need change is the look and feel.
About partnership and marketing of your products, why don't you try letting webmasters of busy websites try the product and recommend to their customers. You may be asked to pay for such services but having a chance at some trusted opt in mailing list/ newsletter is worth spending money on.
It takes time and patience to make real money on the net, forget about all the hype around. If your product is of good quality and solves a problem and the pricing is right, only time will affect your rnning to the bank to make deposits.
All the best.
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Afam Nnaji
Just Web Services.
http://www.justwebservices.com">href="http://www.justwebservices.com">http://www.justwebservices.com
RE: Advice Please: marketing and sales
rob newcastle | 19/06/2004 09:59 PM
Hi desknet,
Where are you based? i'm in the North East (the username gives it away). Im always looking at new projects and have some contacts I feel could be of a use to you. If your in the South im usually in London quite often so there is a possibility of meeting. There are offices at your disposal up here if this is taken further. Email if your interested.
Regards
Rob
RE: Advice Please: marketing and sales
James Smith | 19/06/2004 11:00 PM
Desknet,
Generally speaking if you lack sales experience than I would agree that the best thing to do it find a good salesperson to do it for you. This is a perfectly normal and very sensible strategy. If you are weak in an area, get in the skills to help you, don’t try to DIY your way through critical areas. Its like playing David James upfront and Rooney in goal, it isn’t a good strategy.
I would suggest you have a few generic options at this point:
1. Pay a sales person on a commission/salary basis and retain full control yourself. This is the most "in business" option as you retain full control, and can of course sack the salesperson if they are rubbish.
2. Take on a full equity partner - ie they take a share in your profits in return for sales and perhaps running your business. This would leave you with some control, but possibly concentrating on designing new software products and not running the business. For a first business there are some upsides to this if you can find the right person that has previously had businesses in the past.
3. Sell out the software to a third party for either a lump sum or on a commission basis. (The later can be problematic if they bury the system and don’t develop)
The third option is actually quite common for software designers, but it does really help if you have already achieved some sales to prove your software has a value in the market place.
The easy bit is choosing which route is best for you, the harder bit actually doing it. There are some quite good entrepreneurial types on this site, but it is always worth networking locally to see who is around as this can be a lot easier working with someone face:face on a daily basis if things really take off. I cant really help with a recommendation, only to say where you are headed in sensible.
I don’t think snazzy websites count for nearly as much as a good product pitched in the right way will. This is from someone with a fairly poor website, but plenty of happy clients.
Regards,
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James Smith
Chartered Accountant
www.jamesesmith.co.uk
01235 536 773
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