If you have the time and don’t want to spend the money, you may elect to Do It Yourself. Here are some practical tips to make it less painful.

• If you are going to use a software submission tool, use Shareware Tracker.  It is the one we use.

• Find out about PAD if you don’t already know.  More and more sites are using PAD files and they make the submission process much easier.  You can find out about PAD at http://www.asp-shareware.org/pad/.

• Keep a list of all the sites you have submitted your program to.  Include the URL of the shareware site, the date submitted and any usernames or passwords.  This may sound painful, but it really pays off to know exactly where your program has been listed.  With well over 400 shareware sites, it is easy to forget if you have submitted to a particular site or not.  You may think you will be able to remember - but you won't.

• Submit to the big sites first.  Some of the big shareware sites receive so many submissions that they have 7-8 weeks lead time (Tucows is over 2 years) before your program can even be reviewed.  Feel free to use our Priority 1 site list.

• Check, check, check all the information you are submitting is correct.  Make sure there are no spelling mistakes and that all the URL’s work correctly.  Also, try to get somebody else to check it (it is easy to miss your own mistakes).  Program reviewers are not going to contact you to find out what the correct URL is.  They are just not going to review your program. These people are VERY busy.

• Spend some time on your description.  Some sites want a short description and a long description.  Don’t make the long description too long, people will generally only read the first sentence as they are looking through.  This first sentence has to give them enough information to make them want to read more.  A catchy description will mean more interest and more downloads.  Also avoid terms that grossly over promote your program.  This looks unprofessional.

• Compiling a list of shareware sites can be half the battle.  If you are a DIYer, feel free to use Shareware Tracker's site list.

• There are some useful sites for shareware authors.  Check out http://upload.it.  This site has loads of useful information.

• If you are really serious about marketing your software, after you have finished submitting to shareware sites, you may like to think about sending out a press release. Take a look at PR Web .  They offer a free service and have some great tips on how to write and format a press release for email distribution.

• If you want to promote your website as well, there is loads of useful information at Successful Sites.

• If you need help with setting up your website, try Online Store Creators.

• We have some really useful articles, check them out.  More will be added regularly.

Alternatively, contact us - we will ease your pain.