Free demo policies

From: Tom Jeffries <tjeffries_at_singingelectrons.com>
Date: Wed 29 May 2002 16:00:33 -0600

One of our primary means of advertising is posting unlimited
30 day free demo versions of our software on our site and on
shareware sites. We request an email address from people who
download from our site. There is an opt-out box; those who
opt out get a single "Thank You" email and those who do not
are added to our mailing list.

We get a lot of false email addresses. We're considering two
changes to our policies- I'd like feedback on both.

1. We can require a valid email address, with varying levels
of certification of validity up to and including a requirement
that people respond to an email sent to them before they can
use the program. Right now our requirements are very low- the
syntax has to be right. We get quite a few asdf_at_asdf.com.

2. We can reduce the length of the free trial. Some of our
competitors offer 15 day trials instead of 30, or limit the
features.

I would appreciate information on what has worked for others.
Also, what are industry standard percentages for conversion
from free demos to purchase?

Thanks, Tom Jeffries
President and Chief Blazing Officer, Blaze Audio
www.blazeaudio.com


Tom Jeffries
Singing Electrons, Inc.
http://www.singingelectrons.com
360-468-2108





Received on Wed May 29 2002 - 17:00:33 CDT