Monetizing Software

[michro01]

How can you monetize different software you create? For example, If I created a program that I was going to give away for free, how can I still make money off it? I understand that you can get paid to attach certain programs to different installs. What are some of the affiliates that do that, and how much do they pay? And are there any other ways to monetize it.

 

[HarveyJ]

Bundle the install with Zango and Yapbrowser!

 

[jryan21]

Set up a support page; just a blog page w/comments will do. Assuming you are building something that people will use, you basically have a page that will receive a large amount of return visits. From there, you could:

• Use the donations model (keep the donations coming and I'll keep improving it)
• sell the ad space on the page
• sell a companion product or service on the page
• if your product is web-based, write your TOS so that you require an author's link on the pages generated by your software ("powered by.."); use the link juice to help boost one of your other sites.

 

[Mike619]

u can embed a html page on the program and show rotating banners on it

 

[AdHustler]

u can embed a html page on the program and show rotating banners on it

ding ding ding - affiliate banners preferably.

The only problem is if they arent connected online.

 

[michro01]

Awesome, thanks for the ideas guys. Now the only problem is, how do I physically edit the install program? lol

 

[goalsetter]

Make it subscribers only for support?

Or offer lifetime upgrades but only if they are on your email list. Try to make an update every so often, even if it's small. When you get a support question, answer it in your emails so everyone sees it. The old "Maybe someone else needs to know this too?" will work. Then you have a way to get other offers in front of them. If they like your software, they will be predisposed to buy the next one you create as they already know your programs work.