Combining blog & shareware ???

[brooksr]

Its funny, I was about 80% done in publishing my first shareware program when I stumbled upon this website. It's definitely motivated me to start a blog.

I now have to force myself to finish the shareware program before starting the blog. The shareware has been a life long goal and even though it might not be successful, I believe I should finish it from a confidence and follow through basis.

In the future, I will probably do some more shareware.

(Yes, I know Steve left shareware to start this blog.)

I have wondered whether I should continue to sell it as planned or maybe give it away to attract traffic to a site ... (the program is a tool for stock market traders)

Also, whether to keep the shareware site separate from my future blog site or somehow combine the two ...

Would a small area of a blog for downloading the author's shareware be 'bad'?

Should everything on the blog site (from me) be free? As Steve does with his writings, podcasts and newsletter? (I'm thinking 'yes')

Thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Brooks

[JiriNovotny]

Hello Brooks,

Blogging for bussiness is quite common and usually very useful, check out the book Naked Conversations, I can recommend it. You can also have one professional and one personal blog.

It is definitely OK to sell stuff at your blog, regardless if it's affiliated or your own.

Also, shareware is just a marketing method, not a type of software :-)

[brooksr]

Hi Jiri,

I checked out the book, looks interesting, very good reviews on Amazon, I added to my reading list.

Right now I have Blogging for Dummies and Buzz Marketing Blogging for Dummies.

I like your website - sharp!

How has shareware been for you? I'm a newbie.

Do you also have a blog?

Brooks

[JiriNovotny]

Hi Brooks,

I currently do not have blog but I plan to have one on my new website.

Good example of combining shareware product + blog can be found at Nagarsoft

Shareware works well for me. I am doing it full time

If you happen to have extra $100, you can join Association Of Shareware Professionals (ASP). If you have less money, you can join AISIP. And if you have no extra money, you can still join OISV :-) (Just google them). These are trade organizations for independent software vendors.