How/where to promote?

[JB Designs]

I need some advice...

As anyone can tell by my previous posts, I'm completely new to the whole theme development scene and have pretty much just jumped in head first LOL!

Now that I seem to be getting the hang of things, I've been attempting to sell premium themes on MyBbOTA and MobiHand. I was elated to have three sell today, but I want to know what I can do to promote my themes and hopefully improve sales.

As of right now I have a blog that I post my premium (and free) themes too which automatically shares with my Twitter (under the Blog name) and Facebook fan page (for the Blog). The thing is, I have no followers on the Blog or FB fan page and only a few on Twitter. I do plan on making a real website eventually, but can't afford to any time in the real near future. Hence, why I want to promote my themes by any means I can find

Could anyone make some suggestions as to how I can promote my premium themes and where?

Thanks in advance to those who reply!!

[StaticFX]

here is the best place... post it in the appropriate theme section (http://forums.crackberry.com/f16/ for the device)
MAKE SURE that the link you post for selling it is the crackberry store link (not mobihand -the crackberry store is mobihand, but when cb gets the sale they get a piece of the pie) so the link will have mobihand.com etc change it to software.crackberry.com etc etc

[JB Designs]

Originally Posted by StaticFX

here is the best place... post it in the appropriate theme section (http://forums.crackberry.com/f16/ for the device)
MAKE SURE that the link you post for selling it is the crackberry store link (not mobihand -the crackberry store is mobihand, but when cb gets the sale they get a piece of the pie) so the link will have mobihand.com etc change it to software.crackberry.com etc etc

Thanks for the reply StaticFX!

I wasn't too sure about being able to post them here, but since I know it shouldn't be a problem, I will get to it as soon as I can.

Thanks again! And if anyone else has any suggestions they would like to share, it would be greatly appreciated

[tekneakz]

While I understand that CB wants their "piece of the pie", are there any forum rules that say a user can't post a link to a vendor other than CB's MobiHand portal? Your post eludes to the fact that users can only use CB's MobiHand links. Please clear this up so other users are not confused as well.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[JB Designs]

It is funny that you just posted this because I've been thinking the same thing myself. In fact I just contacted Kevin about it since I have seen people post links to their own personal websites.

The rules state...
http://forums.crackberry.com/f39/pos...uidelines-113/

•No Advertising Policy
CrackBerry.com maintains a No Advertising policy in the forums. Individuals/Businesses may not make posts promoting the sale of their own or other competing stores Products (Accessories, Services, Software, Themes, etc.) or sales. Traffic Leaching is strictly prohibited. If you'd like to promote or advertise your Accessories, Services, Software, Themes etc. on CrackBerry.com please contact Kevin Michaluk directly. Kevin can be reached via email, kevin at crackberry.com.

Individuals looking to Sell or Swap personally owned items (i.e. Used Unlocked AT&T BlackBerry 8700 for Sale) may post in the Buy & Sell forum.

Please note, if individuals (not related to the company selling a product or service) post on an item that is or becomes available in the ShopCrackBerry.com store, if available for the same price or less we reserve the right to update posts to this link (gotta keep in business!).

But for theme developers like myself, who only charge a minimal price, it's really not fair. In the end MobiHand makes out like a bandit, Crackberry gets a piece of the pie and more traffic and the developer doesn't really get much for their time, hard work and effort.

[Justam]

I don't think its fair really at all...Crackberry makes enough money as it is....at least they should revamp the policy for product under a certain amount...i mean cmon if ur selling a theme for 2-3 bucks and crackberry takes 20% and mobihand take 20% your not exactly left with much......so as much as I like crackberry I would forgo the mobihand/crackberry stores, stick to blogging websites which will promote ur theme and appworld....and considering only 10% of the sum avg devs gross from selling bb software comes from mobihand and roughly 80-90% come from app world...I would stick with app world....you can also set up a website and use paypal

paypal is quite reasonable as well with 2.9% + 30 cents ...so if ur selling a theme for 4 bucks ur paying 41 cents roughly a transaction.....

I suppose if crackberry can get away with their 20% and mobihands additional 20% then y not right?..............BUT ITS STILL A RIP OFF FOR THEME DEVS!!!

end rant!

[JB Designs]

Originally Posted by Justam

I don't think its fair really at all...Crackberry makes enough money as it is....at least they should revamp the policy for product under a certain amount...i mean cmon if ur selling a theme for 2-3 bucks and crackberry takes 20% and mobihand take 20% your not exactly left with much......so as much as I like crackberry I would forgo the mobihand/crackberry stores, stick to blogging websites which will promote ur theme and appworld....and considering only 10% of the sum avg devs gross from selling bb software comes from mobihand and roughly 80-90% come from app world...I would stick with app world....you can also set up a website and use paypal

paypal is quite reasonable as well with 2.9% + 30 cents ...so if ur selling a theme for 4 bucks ur paying 41 cents roughly a transaction.....

I suppose if crackberry can get away with their 20% and mobihands additional 20% then y not right?..............BUT ITS STILL A RIP OFF FOR THEME DEVS!!!

end rant!

I completely agree Justam!

My themes range from $0.99 to $1.99, so I'm not really making much of anything by the time Mobihand/App World takes their 30%. Plus I've recently been told that when I do get paid, I will need to stick some aside because the IRS will want their share too. So if that's another 30%, its no wonder so many themes out there cost $4-$5 and more.

Right now I have my themes on App World, MobiHand and MyBbOta. App World and MobiHand seem to be doing about the same for me and MyBbota is great because they don't take anything from my sales. On the down side, my theme payment is paid via PayPal and at $0.99, I make even less there (paypal fee of 2.9% + $0.30). That is until I found out about micropayments on PayPal, which are 5% + $0.05. Which still sucks, but is better than having that $0.30 automatically deducted on a $0.99 theme.

I also have my themes on my website and blog which get a decent amount of traffic, then I use my MyBbota links. Despite the amount of traffic I get though, I don't sell any from my website or blog. I have sold a couple custom order themes using the donation (paypal) button on my website though.

But yes, in the end I have to agree that its all still a rip of for theme devs. Especially when you factor in the pay schedules for App World and MobiHand. I've been selling since May and have yet to see one red cent from all my hard work. Which is also the nice thing about MyBbOTA, because when my theme sells on there, not only do I get the whole amount, but I get it instantly in my paypal account.

Still, its a lot of very hard work for very little return

[BBThemes]

Originally Posted by JavaBrat

I completely agree Justam!

My themes range from $0.99 to $1.99, so I'm not really making much of anything by the time Mobihand/App World takes their 30%. Plus I've recently been told that when I do get paid, I will need to stick some aside because the IRS will want their share too. So if that's another 30%, its no wonder so many themes out there cost $4-$5 and more.

Right now I have my themes on App World, MobiHand and MyBbOta. App World and MobiHand seem to be doing about the same for me and MyBbota is great because they don't take anything from my sales. On the down side, my theme payment is paid via PayPal and at $0.99, I make even less there (paypal fee of 2.9% + $0.30). That is until I found out about micropayments on PayPal, which are 5% + $0.05. Which still sucks, but is better than having that $0.30 automatically deducted on a $0.99 theme.

I also have my themes on my website and blog which get a decent amount of traffic, then I use my MyBbota links. Despite the amount of traffic I get though, I don't sell any from my website or blog. I have sold a couple custom order themes using the donation (paypal) button on my website though.

But yes, in the end I have to agree that its all still a rip of for theme devs. Especially when you factor in the pay schedules for App World and MobiHand. I've been selling since May and have yet to see one red cent from all my hard work. Which is also the nice thing about MyBbOTA, because when my theme sells on there, not only do I get the whole amount, but I get it instantly in my paypal account.

Still, its a lot of very hard work for very little return

to be clear, mobihand is now 70% dev cut wether purchase goes thru mobihand or crackberry, so its not gonna hurt the devs end cut if you post it on crackberry. plus lets be fair, if ya wanna use CB to advertise then its only fair to put it thru their store. personally i have gone appworld only so to adhere to the rules i dont post my themes. the rules are there for a reason.

why do people complain about percentages and other contractual things after signing contracts, i mean really? you aint forced to use it

[JB Designs]

Originally Posted by BBThemes

to be clear, mobihand is now 70% dev cut wether purchase goes thru mobihand or crackberry, so its not gonna hurt the devs end cut if you post it on crackberry. plus lets be fair, if ya wanna use CB to advertise then its only fair to put it thru their store. personally i have gone appworld only so to adhere to the rules i dont post my themes. the rules are there for a reason.

why do people complain about percentages and other contractual things after signing contracts, i mean really? you aint forced to use it

I'm going to apologize in advance because this just hit a nerve, so my apologies if I strike one as well.

First... isn't a "70% dev cut" the same thing as when I said, "Mobihand/App World takes their 30%"?

Second... being required to post the MobiHand/Crackberry link does affect my cut as a theme dev because, as previously stated, MobiHand takes a 30% cut. If I could use my own links, the only fee I would have to pay would be PayPal at a little over 5%. If possible, wouldn't you rather that 25% be in your pocket since you're the one doing all the work?

Lastly, as for your question as to why people complain... because sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do and/or don't necessarily like. I personally never once saw anything during the application process about what percentage App World and/or MobiHand takes. In fact, I still can't figure out what App World takes as I just got my first payout today and can tell you its no even 30%.

My point is this... as theme devs we're all trying to make a buck doing something we enjoy. If that weren't the case, there would be no premium themes as we would all be giving them away. So yes, I adhere to the rules, which are only here to ensure that CB gets their cut. But this does not mean I have to like it. It's like everything else in life, we do what we have to do and complain a little along the way lol

[BBThemes]

Originally Posted by JavaBrat

I'm going to apologize in advance because this just hit a nerve, so my apologies if I strike one as well.

First... isn't a "70% dev cut" the same thing as when I said, "Mobihand/App World takes their 30%"?

Second... being required to post the MobiHand/Crackberry link does affect my cut as a theme dev because, as previously stated, MobiHand takes a 30% cut. If I could use my own links, the only fee I would have to pay would be PayPal at a little over 5%. If possible, wouldn't you rather that 25% be in your pocket since you're the one doing all the work?

Lastly, as for your question as to why people complain... because sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do and/or don't necessarily like. I personally never once saw anything during the application process about what percentage App World and/or MobiHand takes. In fact, I still can't figure out what App World takes as I just got my first payout today and can tell you its no even 30%.

My point is this... as theme devs we're all trying to make a buck doing something we enjoy. If that weren't the case, there would be no premium themes as we would all be giving them away. So yes, I adhere to the rules, which are only here to ensure that CB gets their cut. But this does not mean I have to like it. It's like everything else in life, we do what we have to do and complain a little along the way lol

my point about the 30% cut, was because earlier in the thread it was stated cb was a 40% and mh was 20%, which of course you know has now changed, i just wanted to make sure that was clear to anyone looking that its now 30% `across the board`.

it very clearly says it in the t+c`s when you sign up to both what the %`s are, also on mobihand it states that your items cannot be for sale elswhere for less, and if its on appworld their system automatically drops the price to match.

i know you post links to cb store, my main gripe is people who dont, i mean if you want to advertise somewhere its only courteous to play by their rules.

[sunnylovesalman]

Its their policy and lets abide by that. Just a request is that if Mobihand or CB store pays us early i mean to say if they pay us within 15 days rather than a delayed 30 days payment.

Thats just a request to Mobihand or CB Store.

Thanks'
Sunny