There are many occasions that I have filled out a form to register for evaluation software, only to have the script tell me that my download information will be sent to me. Dangit I want to be able to evaluate it NOW! What turns me off of eval software downloads? Mostly the registration crap. So heres some tips.
1) Dont you dare keep calling me. Once or twice is fine, after that you will get blacklisted. Simple, your software doesn't do anything that darned special. Nobodies does. And I will go to someone that doesn't annoy me.
2) Dont do the bait and switch crap. I am not buying blankets or booze in Tijuana, and I am not buying a car from some loser salesman, set the price and put it upfront. None of these flaky pricing games. Again, you tick me off I am going somewhere else.
3) Don't get your shorts in a bunch. I have other work to do beside evaluate your software. I AM THE CUSTOMER! We work on MY timetable not yours. (You quota software guys reading this?).
4) No 30 days is NOT enough time to fully evaluate your product. Again, I have other work that is critical to our company, give me the time I need to check this thing out fully.
5) No, a simple download of one license of your product is not worth $300.00. Give me something tangible for the money. In particular, if your product is over $100.00 per seat I expect paper documentation and an installation CD.
6) If I think that your product is close, but not close enough to fill my need. Give me a way to tell you how I feel it falls short so that you can either show me where I goofed using it, or you can have the authors fix it as well. Of course you are always able to tell me simply that your product won't do what I want and we can be done.
Okay so I got wordy. I honestly hope this helps...
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There are many occasions that I have filled out a form to register for evaluation software, only to have the script tell me that my download information will be sent to me. Dangit I want to be able to evaluate it NOW! What turns me off of eval software downloads? Mostly the registration crap. So heres some tips. 1) Dont you dare keep calling me. Once or twice is fine, after that you will get blacklisted. Simple, your software doesn't do anything that darned special. Nobodies does. And I will go to someone that doesn't annoy me. 2) Dont do the bait and switch crap. I am not buying blankets or booze in Tijuana, and I am not buying a car from some loser salesman, set the price and put it upfront. None of these flaky pricing games. Again, you tick me off I am going somewhere else. 3) Don't get your shorts in a bunch. I have other work to do beside evaluate your software. I AM THE CUSTOMER! We work on MY timetable not yours. (You quota software guys reading this?). 4) No 30 days is NOT enough time to fully evaluate your product. Again, I have other work that is critical to our company, give me the time I need to check this thing out fully. 5) No, a simple download of one license of your product is not worth $300.00. Give me something tangible for the money. In particular, if your product is over $100.00 per seat I expect paper documentation and an installation CD. 6) If I think that your product is close, but not close enough to fill my need. Give me a way to tell you how I feel it falls short so that you can either show me where I goofed using it, or you can have the authors fix it as well. Of course you are always able to tell me simply that your product won't do what I want and we can be done. Okay so I got wordy. I honestly hope this helps...