Time to first shareware sale?(ZT)

Time to first shareware sale?

The release date of my application (1.0) was a few weeks ago. Since then downloads have been modest. A single, negative review at one of the download sites. No other feedback.

And: no sales.

I'm not panicking yet, but I am a little disappointed: is three weeks too short to wait even for a single $20 registration?  Or should I continue to be patient? At what point should I begin making changes/changing marketing strategy?

The app doesn't run as a time-limited demo: it's a free download with some of the more advanced features disabled in the free version. Registration unlocks the whole enchilada.

Perspective from more experience shareware devs is appreciated...

Shareware Newbie
Friday, February 17, 2006

 

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The first month I got a few sales, maybe 3.

Now I make thousands of dollars per month. 

Here's how.

My 1.0 was sh!t.  I didn't think so at the time, now I know it was.  So I kept "morphing" the software.  I kept changing the look and feel.  I kept adding functionality as per the feedback I got.  And the nastiest feedback was, in retrospect, the most helpful.  And you will find that certain customers will work with you.  They will patiently wait while you add the features you want.  You may even hate them, but they are your frient.  While you are adding features, start improving your marketing message.  Look at your competitors, what are they doing right? 

So, 6 months of 18 hour days later, I have a winning product.  But now I am launching a spin off product because the customers have told me over and over this spinoff is what they want.  So I need to listen and do what they say and they will give me more money.

So, the moral of the story:  Don't sit back and wait for a sale.  No sales?  Good, that is time to improve the product.  Keep improving it and don't stop, keep steering for your audience and you will win.

But, on the other hand, if you have an idea with only a limited target and they don't NEED it, you need to re-examine your idea. 

Make sure they need it in droves.