ISO FileMaker Magazine: FileMaker Video Tutorials, Templates, Help & More

by Matt Petrowsky

It can be done!
FileMaker acceptance increases.

There are many things that I've learned while on my path of creativity using FileMaker. Number one, I found out that the overwhelming sensation of empowerment is something that can never be replaced. And number two, I found out that it can be done! What am I referring to? Making it happen with FileMaker!

Getting exposure and making sales of a product that you create in FileMaker can be difficult, but it is very doable. And it's getting easier. I had always been skeptical of how far you could take FileMaker because there was just so much you could do. You couldn't make self-adjusting windows, or even your own windows for that matter, and you couldn't make tri-state buttons that depressed when clicked. There are a number of features missing, like field relocation (returning to the same place you left off when clicking in a scrollable portal - unlike the reset that it does today). I've realized, however, that it can still be done, but a lot of planning and effort goes into making it happen.

Part of my excitement about this new emerging market of mainstream FileMaker applications deals with many issues, the biggest of which, for me, is that I have accomplished what I set out to do and, better yet, I did it with FileMaker! Recently one of my pieces of software was highlighted by a major Macintosh magazine called MacWeek, published by Ziff Davis. I have seen only a few others in MacWeek, notably those solutions by Blue World Communications. I have found that it is rare that the mainstream press gives much notice to FileMaker solutions.

The other part of my excitement is that more and more people are discovering that they too can capture this same feeling. One day while sitting down with someone whom I was consulting with, trying to teach FileMaker to a level where they could be self-sufficient with the program, I realized that pretty much anyone that really takes the time to know FileMaker, and who has a good idea, can make it. As I was explaining things, I would throw in little pieces of advice about how one could create something that probably wasn't already out in the market and could sell. This caused that person to become excited, and that in turn, energized me, too.

The person I was teaching wanted to create a simple database that would store her recipes. While trying to teach her good data planning and data structure, I pointed out that there are probably many professional catering companies that would like software that would manage their menu lists, invitations and guest lists, recipes, expenses related to the number of attendees and other areas directly related to managing a catering company. I was pointing these things out to show the difference between what would be considered a horizontal product versus a vertical product. A horizontal product would be one that served the needs of many people. This would be the basic recipe organizer. Anyone from a home chef to a catering company could use this. But the needs of a company that relies on efficient operations are greater than the home chef who can often make do. So by adding value and thinking ahead before starting the project, this database could grow to meet the needs of many.

Many projects start out as hobby projects or just your basic "must-have" for data control. With good planning this means that you can eventually convert your database into a tool that would be useful to many others. What remains is completing the project to a professional level and then getting the needed exposure.

But here is the trick: exposure. I have quickly found that unless you come up with some super wiz-bang solution that sells itself, it is only through promotion and exposure that you can make sales.

Claris is starting to get into the area of support for developers of top-notch solutions and may be willing to help promote products. I have heard from one FileMaker developer that they will have their solution in most of the major Macintosh/PC mail order mags. I then hear about another developer that has their solution being promoted by specific medical magazines almost for free because it makes their magazine look better! Can you imagine, a magazine give you a full page front or back cover ad because your product benefits the market? Well, it is true and you can make it happen.

The Pitfalls

On the same note, you need to be aware that it takes time and patience. Even after my software was highlighted by the magazine and also promoted in the Evangelist from Guy Kawasaki I was not slammed with orders. I still have to get out there and push sales. But, at a modest $129 it would only take 1,000 units to sell within a period of one year to make a decent return on my investment of time.

There are other things that you will come across, things such as having to learn an installer on either the Mac or PC or even both. In future articles I will discuss my learning experience with these. You also have to check, double-check and triple-check your solution. When something goes prime time and you get requests for information you have to be ready! This is not an understatement.

You need to have a business phone number that people can call. You have to address technical support issues. You have to have documentation and possibly a manual and many of the other things that are commonly expected when someone buys new software. From the viewpoint of the user they are buying software, not just a database.

Closing

To be honest, getting the exposure in MacWeek was simply a matter of writing up a press release and sending it via email to the correct editor. It was within days that I was emailed back and then asked for a screen shot. While I cannot say that this will happen to all FileMaker databases, I do know that it if solves a need that many have and that others will find useful, you can get the exposure. And there is nothing like free exposure. It gets you more responses than an advertisement. So remember, if you have something good, or if you have a good idea for a FileMaker database then do something about it. If, in the very least, you create something that is a good solution, solves a need, has a good interface, provides a strong data structure and is useful, you can sell it to Claris or some operation for anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 or up. You never know until you try and some of these corporations may just be getting into that business.

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