Hi,
Welcome to June's Software Marketing News. An HTML version can be viewed at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/author-resource-newsletter41.html .

Software Success Stories
***********************************
June is a month of inspiration. This month we've added two more software success stories to inspire developers and industry professionals.The one thing that all of stories (and those appearing next month) have in common they all use promotional companies to handle much of their marketing efforts. Which is really telling, if you don't excel at marketing you can succeed by partnering with a promotional/marketing company. Both of the companies profiled below work with Dave Collins from SharewarePromotions. There successes are pretty telling...

iolo - In 1998, Noah left Unisyn and independently founded iolo technologies, LLC. Using much of what he had learned at Unisyn, he grew iolo into the multi-million dollar company it is today.
iolo software success story - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/software-success-2.htm

MJT Net Ltd - Marcus Tettmar has been developing software since he was a young student. He graduated from university with a computer degree in 1994 and has been developing software professionally ever since. - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/software-success-3.htm

Finding Forums
*************************************
Collection of online business and software forums
http://www.small-business-software.net/forum-directory.htm

Google Contest
************************************
Search engine optimization experts are having fun with Google. Experts, with DarkBlue.com at the helm, are holding a contest to determine how Google really works. Experts are competing, with the goal of optimizing a webpage for a non-sensical phrase: 'nigritude ultramarine'.
Google Contest - http://www.small-business-software.net/google-contest.htm

Cool Tools
************************************
Proogle - After having to pull the site for trademark infringement, Proogle is back up and running. Slight modifications have been made but the site is generally the same. Proogle allows you to search on terms, results returned are from Google and show the sites PR in addition to its position.
http://www.webmasterbrain.com/prog/

PageRank Checker - Whether the site is a gimic or an excercise in prediction based on updated information the PageRank checker predicts what a sites new PageRank will be.
http://www.pagerank.net/pagerank-checker/

FREE Promotional Opportunities
*********************************
Sponorship - Simply provide literature and goodies for inclusion in the goodie bags (300 items required) for the Eleventh Annual SW User Group Conference scheduled for August 6, 7 & 8 at the San Diego, CA at the Mission Valley Hilton. There are 300 expected attendees, representing 25,000 members of user groups. There is no cost involved in providing literature or stuffers! This a great way to get involved with user groups. Take advantage of this great opportunity!
Details - http://tinyurl.com/2cqlm

Growing Companies
**************************************
The Inc. 500 recognizes the 500 fastest growing private companies in America. Since the list began 22 years ago, it has become the leading barometer of entrepreneurial vitality in the U.S. It is seen by more than 1.5 million readers annually and receives wide press coverage. The 2004 Inc. 500 application is now available at http://www.inc.com/inc500/

Value of Forums
*************************************
There are literally thousands of online forums that cover a wide range of topics. Forums provide individuals, who share a common interest, with a meeting place for open discussion, and a great gathering spot for "water cooler" talk. When used properly forums can be an excellent business tool and resource. By providing well thought out, helpful responses posters can develop a reputation as an industry expert. Establishing a reputation within forums will eventually lead to solid business contacts and relationships.
More - http://www.small-business-software.net/finding-forums.htm

.Net opportunity for developer
***************************************
Ms has agreed that it will include shareware .Net programs on the DVD that will be distributed at the Teched. Programs that were created with .net tools can be included. If you would like to inlcude your trial version on this free demo please provide:

1. a link to the shareware version
2. a download link to a logo

There will be 6,000 passed out at the conference. Time is critical so if you are interested be sure to email David Boventer at dboventer@euroconference.org

AskSam
***************************************
The folks at askSam are now shipping a software development kit (SDK) for its popular free-form database engine. The askSam SDK allows developers to incorporate the full-text search and free-form database capabilities of askSam in applications that they create. The best part is that askSam provides developers flexible licensing options!
Details - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/asksam-press.htm

askSam is providing SMR readers a significant discount on the SDK - the SDK for SMR readers is $199 rather than $499!!!! To take advantage of this offer contact Jim Hartman at ext 850-584-6590 ext 106 and mention SMR.

Image Adwords
**************************************
Google Image Ads (BETA) We're excited to introduce image ads, an additional ad format that combines the appeal of pictures with proven AdWords targeting technology. Now you can show your product images, company branding or other creative elements on relevant content sites throughout the Google Network. Unlike traditional online graphical ads, image ads are consistently matched to a page's content. By showing image ads, you're not just placing your brand and message in front of a broad audience-you're reaching relevant new prospects already inclined to be interested in your products or services. Image ads are priced and targeted just like text ads. You can even manage them within your existing Ad Groups. To get started, all you need to do is make sure your campaign is set to show ads on content sites, then load your images. https://adwords.google.com/support/bin/topic.py?topic=102&hl=en

Blog & Forum
***********************************
Software Blog - Consider visiting the daily SMR blog it contains tips related to software marketing and the software industry in general.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/blog.html

Software Development/Software Announce Forums - announce new releases or features or ask questions of other industry professionals in the software development forum!
http://www.small-business-software.net/forum/

Conferences - Last Chance
***********************************
SIC - Register Now! The time for the annual Shareware Industry Conference is nearly at hand. The conference will be held July 15 through 17, 2004 in Rochester, New York. There'll be infomative sessions, lots of networking, special events, and more. And of course, the highlight of the conference is the annual Shareware Industry Awards banquet. Additional information - http://www.sic.org

EWSC - The fourth annual European Shareware Conference will this year take place on the 6th and 7th of November 2004 in Strasbourg, France. The conference offers a unique opportunity for developers, distributors and companies providing related services to meet, exchange ideas and build beneficial relationships. With a variety of different sessions and panels, numerous networking opportunities, and a chance to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by the software industry today, the European Shareware Conference is the premier European event for software developers and companies embracing the try before you buy marketing method. http://www.euroconference.org

The EWSC will be present with Shareware@TechEd in Micrososft's TechEd conference scheduled for June 29 - July 2, 2004. Eight wellknown shareware developers will be participating. Be sure to stop by if you are planning on attending TechEd.

Thank you for your continued interest in Software Marketing Resource
Sharon Housley
Software Marketing Resource - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com
NotePage, Inc. - http://www.notepage.net
Monitoring Software - http://www.monitoring-software.net
Small Business Software - http://www.small-business-software.net

To unsubscribe, simply send me a note. I'll remove your name immediately and you will receive no further email from us.