Susan Harkins
ssharkins at bellsouth.net
Wed Mar 31 07:55:21 CST 2004
I have long thought that the way to make money with Access/SQL Server or
really any program that you can manipulate vai code is to make small modules
that make the user's life easier, not a finished package per se. Now Rocky
may have the once in a lifetime great idea that has a large audience, but
most of us aren't going to experience that. What we can do, is produce
drop-in modules that make the average user's life easier. Wizards are OK,
but most of them really won't take the user very far toward getting the word
done.
You sell a module that does something you think is really rather mundane,
but that the average user doesn't hve the experience to automate. The cost
is so small anyone can purchase it, and you make money in volume.
Will you get rich?
Probably not, but I still think there's potential there.
Something as simple as a generic module that lets the user determine how
many labels to print for each record, and specify a position to start on the
first label sheet so they can use a half-used sheet of labels. Both are
something I've written about -- could easily be automated to fit be dropped
into any module and users would buy it if you only charge $5 or $10. There
are tons of ideas for such a market -- but can't tell you where or how to
market them. Here's a few more -- a combo or list that automatically
displays all the visible reports or forms in the application (omitting
hidden and system objects I mean). These are things users could really use
and would probably pay a few bucks for.
Everyone's busy with custom development, and there's money to be made I'm
sure, but there are ton more "users" than developers, but all the products
are for developers.
Susan H.
Sure. I estimate it will take to the end of the year before I see any real
results.
I've got another product cooking as well - analyzes sleep disorders. Been
working on it with an expert in the field for 4-5 years (not continuously,
of course). Might be able to launch it this year.
Do you want to be a beta tester?
Rocky
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kath Pelletti" <SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au>
To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
<accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:23 PM
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as
JC
Well I wish you the very best of luck...can you let us know how the sales
go?
Kath
----- Original Message -----
From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as
JC
Kath:
In the 'old' days when I was flogging this package in DOS, I thought that
some of them would be sold by word of mouth, people seeing it, or the
reports that got passed around (which all had my company name in the
footer). So I always wanted everyone to have the latest version. So I
didn't charge for it. It was in my self-interest to have them use the
most
recent release. And I'm still going to keep to that policy for this new
version.
If I add a module, like Order Entry, everybody will get it at no cost.
With
distribution by web, there really is no overhead cost to me to distribute
it. And good product sells more product.
I promote the product support as a 'free phone in consulting service on
any
question related to the software OR manufacturing systems' for the first
year, and $300 a year after that (about 10% of the purchase price).
In the past I had a lot of conversations with people about manufacturing
issues - how to structure a bill of materials, how to make up a part
numbering scheme, how to solve a particular work order problem, etc - and
very few questions about how to actually run the software. This added a
LOT
of value to the product and didn't really take very much time.
The key is to make a product which is so user stupid that anybody who can
read and count to 20 can run it. Then you don't get the same question 20
times a day, like 'how do I run a costed inventory report?'.
If a user doesn't want to pay the yearly maintenance then they don't get
the
phone support. I could tell them they don't get the new releases as well
but that works against me salewise. Many people didn't pay for the
support
after the first couple of years because they never called me for anything.
The other key, of course, it goes without saying, is to make the product
so
solid that it doesn't generate bugs and errors. Then you don't get any
support calls.
BTW - I'm not a marketer or salesy type person, either. But if you have
something you believe in it's not really selling. And I really believe in
this product (why not, I invented it?). I just present the product and if
they like it fine. They buy it. If not, it's like pushing on a string.
I always wanted people to feel like they got more than they expected and
when you sell hard you overhype, raise expectations, and end up with
customers who expect more than you have to give.
When people buy E-Z-MRP they feel like they just bought a dollar for fifty
cents. That makes selling a lot easier, too.
I suppose that's why I'm successful but not rich. :)
HTH
Rocky Smolin
Beach Access Software
http://www.e-z-mrp.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kath Pelletti" <SDSSoftware at optusnet.com.au>
To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving"
<accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 2:59 PM
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected as
JC
Rocky - out of interest - what support arrangements / fees are you
offering?
Kath
----- Original Message -----
From: Rocky Smolin - Beach Access Software
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as well-connected
as
JC
Andy:
Don't envy me. They jury's still out. I've got a bit of a buffer so we
won't miss any meals, but that can't go on forever. I've had two good
products and several bad ones. At least this time I'm starting in an
economy that's on the upswing.
But I've always been a bootstrap kind of guy - we're doing a mailing in
San
Diego county this month. Hopefully snag two or three systems. Then use
that money to mail again in another county. Build it up slowly.
Instead
of
mortgaging the house.
I'm still doing some fee-for-service as well. So that keeps some of the
lights on.
It's a high wire act for sure. But when it does work, it's a thing of
beauty.
Rocky
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Andy Lacey
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 1:18 PM
> To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> Subject: RE: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
well-connected
> as JC
>
>
> I envy Rocky (sort of) but won't be trying to emulate him. Been there,
tried
> that, and failed. Problem with the product thing is that you have to
> metamorphose from developer into marketer, and I couldn't. Not my
thing
at
> all. Plus IME it involves sinking money into advertising, mailing,
> brochures, websites nd so on. You have to be prepared to risk big
outlay
> against no guarantee of return. Done that 2 or 3 times to great cost
and
no
> great return. Won't be doing it again.
>
> -- Andy Lacey
> http://www.minstersystems.co.uk
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of
> > Steven W. Erbach
> > Sent: 30 March 2004 04:16
> > To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> > Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: A survey from somebody not as
> > well-connected as JC
> >
> >
> > William,
> >
> > >> ...don't take this the wrong way <<
> >
> > I won't. I appreciate your point of view. I have gotten
> > caught up in the tools as if owning the right brand of socket
> > wrench will guarantee me a living.
> >
> > But I hear you on the client-centered approach. I've worked
> > on lots of things that were outside of my skill-set comfort zone.
> >
> > I talked with a friend recently about my business and he
> > asked if there was anything I specialized in. I told him no;
> > my business is producing custom solutions to solve customer
> > problems. He recommended a product-centered approach, like
> > what Rocky is aiming for. I have a long-term care facility
> > marketing and donations program I wrote that might fill the
> > bill. We'll see.
> >
> > >> ...but I'm just me and don't have any intention of ever
> > working hard
> > >> again <<
> >
> > Not really an option for me as we're having some tough times
> > financially. I can dig the varietal nature of your work,
> > though. Thanks.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Steve Erbach
> > Scientific Marketing
> > Neenah, WI
> >
> > "You must be an intellectual. No normal person would say a
> > thing like that." - George Orwell
> >
> > --
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> > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com
> > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/a> ccessd
> > Website:
> > http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> >
> >
>
> --
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