Random Thoughts

A few days ago I posted an entry in the Business of Software forum. I was looking for an application that will allow me to manage the people who purchased VeriTime Time Tracker much better. I knew the term for it but for that particular moment I cannot seem to remember it.

There are a lot of software developers who visit this forum and as a result there were already replies to my posting after only an hour. One of the replies stated that I was looking for a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software. That’s it! That’s the term that eluded when I was writing my post. Another was from someone who actually developed and sells such a product called goCRM. He stated that if I wanted, he can give me a licence for his product for free. Nice. Note to self: make a mental note of what he has done.

While going through the list of new postings in the forum I noticed that someone was looking for a time tracking application. Perfect! Maybe, I can pitch VeriTime Time Tracker and possibly make a sale (that’s the dream). I replied and said that I have such a product, described it briefly and provided the link to my website. That was it. I have replied. And then, it occurred to me what the author of goCRM did and so went back to the post and found out that he has a website.

I went to his website and found a contact email address. I sent him an email offering a trial licence for the upcoming version of VeriTime Time Tracker. A couple of days later, I received a reply and he said that he might take up my offer since I took the time and effort to send him a personal email. Bingo! Not a sale but a small opening for a possible sale.

What lesson can be learned from here? Well, I think the lesson is that one should be always be on the lookout for any opportunity of being able to make one’s product or service known. It may not be much but they can be viewed as seeds sown. Some of the seeds may sprout and others may not, the important thing is that they were sown. If you have to go the extra step of making your product or service known then go for it. What’s the worst thing that can happen? The worst thing that can happen is that you get ignored. It does not matter because the prospective client may have ignored you but they know your product or service. It is possible that in the future he may get back to you.