In this 8th episode of the Mac Software Business Podcast Scotty talks with author and consultant Bob Walsh about becoming a Micro-ISV (1 man independent software vendor). 

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Running Time: 1 hr 27mins 44 secs
Download Size: 37MB

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Episode 8 (Enhanced)

 

Show Notes

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Guest: Bob Walsh 
Books: 
Micro-ISV:From Vision to Reality 
Amazon Link: Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality

Clear Blogong 
Amazon Link: Clear Blogging: How People Blogging Are Changing the World and How You Can Join Them

Blog: 47 Hats 
Website: 47 Hats

Show Topic: On this episode of the Mac Software Business Podcast we discuss taking your software to the market by starting a Micro-ISV company. 

Discussion Topics: 

Why become a Micro-ISV?: 
Money 
Smart career move 
Being a “brand” has changed 
More productive on Macs 
Mac market share is increasing 

How to prepare: 
Do a gut check 
Put all your question and decisions together 
Mentioned: Circus Ponies Notebook 
Website: NoteBook – The Easy Way to get Organized on the Mac!
Organize your internet searches 
Mentioned: Zotero 
Website: Zotero: The Next-Generation Research Tool
Have a cold hearted look at your finances 
Get your financial house in order 
Talk to your spouse/partner about your plans 
Mentioned: Joel on Software 
Website: Joel on Software

Finding, defining and refining your product: 
Find something you can be passionate about for 2-3 years 
You must like your customers 
Can you compete with the establishment? 
Venn diagram 
Circle One: Those things you know, understand and have experience with 
Circle Two: Find the edge of the economy 
Circle Three: Find your passion 
Circle Four: Find your customers 
You have the idea: do you have a market?: 
Theoretical vs. Reality Market 
Proto-customers 
Mentioned: Twitter 
Website: Twitter: What are you doing?
Market Research 
Mentioned: Google AdWords and AdSense 
Website: Google Advertising
Mentioned: Google Suggest 
Website: Features : Google Suggest – Web Search Help Center

What is your uniques selling proposition?: 
What is your value proposition? 
Do not pretend to be a 100 year old company 
Development: 
There is a proliferation of platforms to develop for 
Venn Diagram 
Circle Five: Is this the type of development I want to be doing? 
Be agile 
Continuous testing 
Elegance in your software 

Connecting to your market: 
Blogging 
Commenting 
Private Blogs 
Product Blog 
Solving peoples problems 

Your Web Site: 
Your web site should match your business 
Recognize instantly your unique business proposition 
No hyperbole 
Show Contact Information 
Show the price up front 
Established payment processing 
Testimonials 
Mentioned: The Business of Software 
Website: The Business of Software

Finding out more: 
Mentioned: Big Nerd Ranch 
Website: Big Nerd Ranch
Actual business plan 
Better to try your business idea 
Email Bob: bob.walsh at 47hats dot com 
Mentioned: MicroISV Sites that Sell! 
Website: 47 Hats – Ebooks
Post Production: 
Editing done by Andy Burson 
Mac Developer Roundtable show notes produced by Patrick Cassell 
Patrick’s Weblog: Aspiring Mac Developer Weblog