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The first product sale is euphoric and a bit magical. "Holy cow, somebody actually paid me for something I built!" I just had my first sale of my software this

by teuobk 14y ago

The first product sale is euphoric and a bit magical. "Holy cow, somebody actually paid me for something I built!" I just had my first sale of my software this past weekend, and it was fantastic: http://www.keacher.com/1060/how-i-got-to-my-first-sale/ http://www.keacher.com/1060/how-i-got-to-my-first-sale/

larrys 14y ago
I took a look at your product. You should concentrate some marketing on forensics (as per one example on your site). You might even want to try some (gasp) direct mail for that giving samples for free to police departments. You can probably produce a better version for them and charge more they have budgets obviously.
- teuobk 14y ago
  I've toyed with the idea of marketing a police-forensics version, but honestly, direct mail never came to mind. Is there a specific reason you suggest direct mail for advertising to police departments?
  - larrys 14y ago
    Yes but what I just did was send an email to a person at a police department that we do business with (I don't know them) to see what they think of your software. (All things start with research and I don't want to give you info w/o doing research). Here is the email that I sent. I will reply to you personally with the results (if any since I don't know that they will respond) or on HN if the response is interesting enough for others to learn from. Here is the email that I just sent: "As you know we are the [redacted business relationship that we have with this police department] I am helping a programmer with analyzing the business potential of a software program they developed that helps police departments with forensic analysis of photographs. I was wondering if you could have the person or persons who would use this software (it enhances photos taken removing blur) take a look and give me their opinion of whether the software is something they could use and if it would be something they would consider purchasing (whether the price is appropriate for the benefit). If they would like to test the software I can get an evaluation copy at no charge." My purpose in sending this letter is to get a general idea of how they view your product. It's only one data point obviously but from their response I will be able to gauge how you should proceed forward and possibly specific suggestions.
    - teuobk 14y ago
      Wow, that was totally unexpected. Thanks!

by teuobk 14y ago

larrys 14y ago

I took a look at your product. You should concentrate some marketing on forensics (as per one example on your site). You might even want to try some (gasp) direct mail for that giving samples for free to police departments. You can probably produce a better version for them and charge more they have budgets obviously.

teuobk 14y ago
I've toyed with the idea of marketing a police-forensics version, but honestly, direct mail never came to mind. Is there a specific reason you suggest direct mail for advertising to police departments?
- larrys 14y ago
  Yes but what I just did was send an email to a person at a police department that we do business with (I don't know them) to see what they think of your software. (All things start with research and I don't want to give you info w/o doing research). Here is the email that I sent. I will reply to you personally with the results (if any since I don't know that they will respond) or on HN if the response is interesting enough for others to learn from. Here is the email that I just sent: "As you know we are the [redacted business relationship that we have with this police department] I am helping a programmer with analyzing the business potential of a software program they developed that helps police departments with forensic analysis of photographs. I was wondering if you could have the person or persons who would use this software (it enhances photos taken removing blur) take a look and give me their opinion of whether the software is something they could use and if it would be something they would consider purchasing (whether the price is appropriate for the benefit). If they would like to test the software I can get an evaluation copy at no charge." My purpose in sending this letter is to get a general idea of how they view your product. It's only one data point obviously but from their response I will be able to gauge how you should proceed forward and possibly specific suggestions.
  - teuobk 14y ago
    Wow, that was totally unexpected. Thanks!