Safari Software, Inc. | Software that makes a difference.

MasterList Professional

(April 27th, 2009) - MasterList Professional is now owned, supported and sold by masterlistpro.com (http://masterlistpro.com).

As you know, it’s been nearly two years since I’ve enhanced MLP: far, far too long. Despite this, MLP continues to sell and I get on a weekly basis emails from customers who say they are more productive with MLP: when’s the next update?

I’ve had several companies approached me interested in purchasing MLP, and I’ve declined those offers for various reasons. When Shohn Trojacek of SixTree approached me, I was impressed with his technical skills, keen desire to take MasterList Professional to new heights and his ideas for the application.

Since my development efforts are now focused on StartupToDo.com (http://startuptodo.com - in development), and I felt MLP customers needed a company that would support, enhance and improve the application, I agreed to sell it to SixTree (parent for masterlistpro.com) for an undisclosed sum.

There will be a follow up announcement from masterlistpro.com once the hand-over is complete. You will be able to opt-out of this low volume mailing list at that time.

I’d like to thank the literally hundreds of people who’ve emailed me over the years praising MLP, offering suggestions and pointing out issues. Writing software can be lonely work and your feedback and praise has meant a lot to me. Thanks again: I think MasterList Professional’s best days are ahead of it!

Cheers,
Bob Walsh
Managing Partner,
Safari Software, Inc.

P.S. Your copy of MasterList Professional should detect a new update as of Monday, April 27th. Please visit masterlistpro.com or contact Support@masterlistpro.com if have any questions or suggestions.

Consulting Services

One of the hats I wear besides programmer, author and microISV is that of consultant, specifically, helping microISVs, software and Internet startups in five areas I can add real value.

Over the past several years I’ve worked with startups, microISVs and small software vendors to help them increase sales by better presenting their case for their product or service. Part of this process if finding a single, compelling, statement to draw the prospective customer into the site; part of it is structuring and describing to that customer how your software is going to help their problem.

Please see http://www.47hats.com/?page_id=522 for more information.

StartupToDo.com

This is my current startup project - aka Project X - look for more information soon at http://startuptodo.com.

47Hats

You find - at least for now - most of my day to day work over at 47hats.com.

The Twitter Survival Guide

Twitter is the fastest way to build connections online, and The Twitter Survival Guide is the fastest way to master making the most of your Twitter experience. Whether you are building an online reputation for yourself, your startup, your company or you just want to stay in touch with your online friends, Twitter is a powerful tool for finding, connecting and sharing with others.

We wrote The Twitter Survival Guide to provide a definitive, timely resource for people who want to get the most value from Twitter.

In this 90-page ebook, we combine our insights on the deeper dynamics of building online reputations with interviews with 12 influential early adopters and ardent supporters of Twitter, including Guy Kawasaki (Garage Technology Ventures), Steve Rubel (Micro Persuasion), Darren Rowse (Problogger.com), Gary Vaynerchuck (WineLibraryTV) and Marshall Kirkpatrick (ReadWriteWeb).

MicroISV Sites that Sell!

You’re a developer that against all the odds have created a commercial desktop app or web service, working long hours to create something you can be proud of. But you’re not a marketing person, a suit, one of those people who somehow makes sales happen. Good! I wrote MicroISV Sites that Sell! - Creating and Marketing your Unique Selling Proposition ($19 USD) because developer-to-developer I wanted to demystify one of the strongest, fairest, best marketing design patterns reputable software companies can use to substantially increase their sales.

For more information please see http://www.47hats.com/?page_id=534

Clear Blogging

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

My second book, Clear Blogging, grew out of something I noticed as I wrote my first book: hour for hour blogging is the most effective marketing activity a microISV or software startup can engage in. What’s more, blogging is literally changing the world as it breaks down traditional, pre-Internet rules and conventions. This is major stuff: whether it’s using a blog as an alternative to traditional career-building and job hunting to being able to connect with everyone from CEO’s of powerful companies to the guy that runs the restaurant you and your work buddies hang out at, blogging is opening up new channels of powerful communication.

Apress, has kindly made available a free chapter from Clear Blogging you can download by clicking this link: Successful Blogging.

Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality

Back in March 2005 I’d launched my microISV, Safari Software, Inc. and my first product, MasterList Professional. I quickly realized that while the initial programming was done, I needed to learn and do a whole slew of other things if I wanted to make money; everything from the basics of marketing a commercial product, to handling tech support, to dealing with the money to doing a product blog.
Having been a reporter before getting into programming, I decided since I couldn’t find a book, I’d write one. Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality is that book, and from the Amazon ratings to the the emails I get, I know I not only scratched my itch, but contributed a valuable resource to the community.

As of March 2009, the book continues to sell well and stand the test of an ever-changing Internet. For more information, please visit: http://www.47hats.com/?page_id=520.

The Startup Success Podcast

The mission of The Startup Success Podcast is simple: make microISVs, startups, Mac indies and everyone perusing the dream, challenge and reality of starting their own software company more successful.

Each week, we hope to bring you about 20 to 40 minutes of valuable information on the business, technical and social developments, tools and trends that will give you an assist in your startup.

Your hosts are Bob Walsh and Patrick Foley. Bob is a consultant, microISV, author, BOS forum moderator and blogger. Patrick is an ISV Architect Evangelist with Microsoft. We bring decidedly different viewpoints to the table; hopefully between the two of us we’ll make this podcast interesting, informative and useful to you.

Bob Walsh is on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bobwalsh or you can email him at bob.walsh@47hats.com
Patrick Foley is on Twitter at http:/twitter.com/patrickfoley or you can email him at patrick.foley@microsoft.com