SOFTWARE FOR SHARING -- AND PROFITING
The most effective software for your computer may
not be the most expensive. Many people prefer low-cost
"shareware" programs.
Low-cost shareware programs can do the same things
as most $500 word processing programs and $700
spreadsheets sold by commercial software firms, such as
WordPerfect or Lotus 1-2-3.
Shareware programs are software programs that can
be distributed and copied at little or no cost and
without breaking any copyright laws. In fact, the
computer programrs who create and distribute these
programs want others to make copies of the software and
give those copies to friends, relatives, and neighbors,
because they lack access to conventional software-
marketing channels. Shareware procedures can be
effective in putting a new program into users' hands.
Then, as distribution widens and the use of the
shareware increases, users' experiences can lead to
refinements in the program. After they have been used
and improved over time, shareware programs sometimes
are sold to conventional software-marketing companies.
While they are in the shareware-distribution channels,
however, such programs can be welcome cost savers. But
you don't have to write computer programs to profit
from shareware -- in a moment we'll show you how you
can make money selling these programs.
Among the companies using shareware programs are
Caterpillar, MCI Telecommunications, DuPont, Ford Motor
Co., The Los Angeles Times, and Texaco.
Shareware is distributed in two ways. Programs
can be copied from program diskettes borrowed from
someone such as a friend or a computer club, or they
can be obtained for a small charge from mail-order
companies that specialize in shareware programs for as
little as $2 to $5 per disk.
If you have tried a shareware program and decide
to use it, you are expected to register with the
software company that created the program. The
registration fee is typically $10 to $129, depending
upon the complexity, quality, and popularity of the
program. The shareware user receives support and
manuals like those that come with the more expensive
software packages. If you decide not to use the
shareware program, you simply keep the diskette; no
registration needs to be paid. So you are only out the
minimal cost of the diskette, which you can erase and
reuse.
Matrix Software Company has chosen to market it's
shareware club memberships through a network of
individuals who distribute their Automated ShareWare
Catalog -- a diskette listing programs available.
Matrix charges $24 per year for a membership (a 3-month
membership for $9 is also available) and members can
then buy programs for as little as 89› per disk.
As a software club member, you are invited to sign
up as a sponsor and earn money from distributing copies
of your catalog disk. There is no additional charge to
become a sponsor. But you do not have to become a
sponsor -- you can simply join the club and get
programs at the member prices.
However, by sponsoring members, you earn 7%
commissions from their dues and from their shareware
purchases, as well as earning commissions on those they
sponsor for nine levels down from you. This can add up
to a substantial amount of money if you are willing to
put just a small amount of effort into it, as Matrix
says average purchases are just under $4 per member per
month. Just passing out the catalog disk is
sufficient, since you are automatically credited with
orders that are placed from the disks you hand out.
