How do I promote a new product?

I have a useful product for Window users but no one knows it exists.

[aussie]

Hello Everyone,

I have a software program I made initially for my business customers to help them find Windows programs, accessories and control panel applications by simply clicking on a button link. Now they don’t need to hunt around Windows or remember where to go to start an application, such as Device manager etc.

I searched the Internet for similar products but all I could find was Run command software, not quite the same thing.

Now I am thinking about selling this software on the Internet. However, when making a keyword search using Word Tracker nothing much turns up. People don’t know to search for this type of software. So, I imagine the sales page for this software may not do well in the search engines or with pay per click advertising.

My question is can I use related RSS content to draw traffic to this new website to start building a reputation? I could also write articles and submit them. Or even publish my own feed in a new blog. Will carrying out these marketing strategies be a way to generate interest in a new product?

Rod

[MatthewHSE]

If nobody knows about you and nobody is searching for terms related to your product, then I would say marketing is the only alternative left! ;) Perhaps press releases, or text ads, etc. Also, you might try some PPC advertising, bidding on keywords that are very broadly related to your product, but being specific enough in your ads to attract only qualified clicks.

Is your program listed on shareware.com? If you can give a trial period, that might be a good thing to try.

Maybe you could even work with computer stores, software outlets, etc., to get them to carry your product.

And you may not want to hear this, but it sounds to me like you'll have a very limited customer base anyway. My guess is that the people who use the apps your program helps them find will know how to find them anyway, while the people who would "need" your program won't even know what to look for in the first place. (What's defragment mean? ;) )

[kaled]

It sounds like you have written a program launcher.

Try searching for that and see how your program stacks up against the competition.

Kaled.

[monkeythumpa]

Yes it is A way to market your product but you should ask yourself if it is the BEST way. You need to get your product in front of people who will buy it and the only way to figure that out (apart from some common sense) is to test. Test different keyword ads, test a blog, test lead generation through articles, test affiliates . . .

These are all pretty low risk ventures, try them out, just don't go buying a Superbowl ad.

[aussie]

All sound advice thank you very much. The software is a like a program launcher. Thinking about it a little more, the people who use this software are novice Windows users but they only open it under my direction when they phone me.

It saves me from having to explain where to find a Windows application like MSCONFIG. It may be best to include it as a bonus when signing up to my Windows Setup mewsletter.

Thank you all again for putting everything into perspective.

Rod