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Home Business 49 - How To Start A Shareware Business From Home
Public Domain Software (PDS) and Shareware Software (SS) both may be duplicated and distributed by the user as they wish but with a few restrictions, one being that you are not allowed to sell their software. You may have it copied onto a disk and sell it to the public but only charge for your labour and the CD. Majority of the authors restrictions are normally on their software disks in a 'READ ME' file, which include cost and registration information.
SS is software of which the author has copyrighted and allows any user to try out the software without being forced to pay registration fees first. Only after the user is satisfied with the software, he/she is then added to the honour system to register the software with the author at a certain cost, which includes free update versions, technical support,etc.
PDS is computer software which the authors have not copyrighted and have placed in the public domain.
Both types of software are easily accessible on the internet. You can easily download either software with no charge if you have access to the internet. If you are planning to distribute only a few different PDS and SS programs, then it would be advisable for you to download them from the internet but if you plan on distributing 50, 100 or more different PDS and SS (of which there are over 1500 different PDS and SS available for you to distribute) then you should then purchase the software from the PDS & Shareware Library House.
Majority of the PDS and Shareware Libraries as well as the Infoprenuer Services Library provide you with various services such as the special knowledge to help and provide you with the latest PDS and Shareware available, they supply diskettes and copying service of the software onto the disk as well. Below is a list of a few major PDS and Shareware libraries. You may write to each of them requesting a catalogue and a listing of the prices.
Infoprenuer: 3755 Avocado Blvd #110, La Mesa, CA 91941
PC-Sig:1030D East Duane Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Public Brand Software : P O Box 51315, Indianapolis, IN 46251
Sizzle Ware: P O Box 6429, Lake Charles, LA 70606
As a first time seller of the software, depending on your advertising budget, it is preferable to begin using the classified ads and/or direct mail. In your advertisement you would offer a free catalogue which must be simple and consist of just one, two or three sheets of paper listing the PDS and SS you offer and the copying fee. You should also include an order form and try to set up the order and catalogue form in colour paper as it would attract more customers rather than using white paper.
As sales increase, consider placing an ad in the National Computer Magazine. Browse through the ads in the magazine to get ideas for you own ad. Note the advertisers who are continuously placing the same ad on a monthly basis - this is because their ads are bringing in lots of money every month.
If you prefer using direct mail, then mail your catalogue sheets and order forms to a mailing list of computer users which are available from any mailing list broker in your city. Large quantities of software are always in demand at Software and computer stores, which can be a great prospect for you for large volume orders.
Another method of advertising is bulletin posters or the distribution of your software disks at flea markets and swap meets.
You will soon enjoy the success of your hard work if you keep your expenses at an extremely low minimum and grow your business cautiously.
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