Software marketing opportunity

[fortesque]

Thomas and the Tiger Software Community

I'm a partner in a medical informatics business, ABIS and this is an invitation to members of the Tiger Software community to consider an on-line marketing opportunity.

The postings of Thomas and others in the Tiger Community and the values they reflect are a key reason why I chose The Tiger Software Community to discus this opportunity with.

Background
ABIS has developed a very sophisticated online computer based headache assessment program.
The program, Headache Helper©, assesses a multitude of headache types and co-morbidities.
Without being boastful there is not another computerized program like it available anywhere.
Headache is one of the few illnesses (and the most frequent complaint among patients) that is totally dependent upon the sufferer's input and recall. There are no clinical tests available for diagnosis, such as bodily fluid tests or scans. Over fifty percent of chronic headache illnesses are presently mis-diagnosed.

The experience of using TSBPro and my experience with the Tiger Software Community has led us to consider an on-line marketing program. A key focus of the marketing program would be aimed at headache sufferers (medical consumers) ... of which there are 46 million in the U.S. alone.

ABIS's diagnostic program, Headache Helper©, takes the user's input (that is the headache sufferer), processes it on our server and returns the assessement directly to the user. The user can be located at a medical office, hospital clinic or a patient at home who is preparing for a visit to a doctor or other healthcare provider. The assessment is created through a set of proprietary algorithms ABIS developed over a number of years.

With the on-line offering the user could be any chronic headache sufferer who was seeking relief and wanted a comprehensive and accurate assessment of their headache condition followed by guidance on effective treatment options.

There are a number of medical and economic reasons why chronic headache sufferers would be interested in our assessment program. I won't go into those details here. They can be found on our website www.headacheanalyzer.com

What ABIS Seeks
We're looking for individuals interested in teaming up with ABIS to market an on-line version of the Headache-Helper© package.

We're also in the process of launching patient trials on an upgraded version of the program. I'l be contacting you with a separate message about that endeavor. As we move through patient trials we will have periodic upgrades to the on-line version, including support materials.

ABIS is an ethical provider and subscribes to a firm set of principles. We are open to discussing various types of relationships and would welcome ideas on how to position our product and market it on-line.

I hope you will be interested in learning more and discussing a possible relationship. I welcome your thoughts and ideas and would like to hear from you.

But first, why not visit our website, www.headacheanalyzer.com. You'll find information about ABIS and Headache Helper©. There is a preview page of the on-line questionnaire used in the program at http://www.headacheanalysis.com/abis_test_2_1_revised.html (this preview is intended for patient trials). The page contains a link to a brief video that we ask first time Headache Helper© users to view.

You can forward your comments and suggestions to me via the Tiger Software Community or email me at johnwburns@headacheanalyzer.com or the contact referenced on the web site.

Thank you,

John Burns
aka Fortesque

[TigerSoftware]

Sounds great John. Once I have some free time I will love to take a look at what you are offering.

Regardless, I think it is the right move to take your marketing online. I really think it can be a profitable niche for people. I don't see it as a list building niche since there isn't much else to sell them once they get help. That doesn't mean it can't be profitable though and something I would like to look into further. You definitely got my interest.



Thomas

[fortesque]

Sounds great John. Once I have some free time I will love to take a look at what you are offering.

Regardless, I think it is the right move to take your marketing online. I really think it can be a profitable niche for people. I don't see it as a list building niche since there isn't much else to sell them once they get help. That doesn't mean it can't be profitable though and something I would like to look into further. You definitely got my interest.






Thomas

Thomas:
Aha! Think I gotcha!:)
Actually Thomas there are a multitude of opportunities that could arise. Let me brainstorm here.:D

There will be an unending supply of buyers because headache illness always has new sufferers. There are always people maturing into the illness at adolescence. That is, there is an unending supply of folks who are headache sufferers. If one is only in the software business maybe this is not their cup of tea.

However, headache sufferers usually sufferer from other ailments and are good prospects for other services and products. They spend an enormous amount of $$$ on their illnesses.

There are multiple channels to serve headache sufferers, some direct, like the sufferer coming directly to the web site to use the Headache Helper test. And other channels where the headache person will be interested in other purchases. And some number will follow up using Headache Helper because they need to be tested periodically.

There are also a number of homeopathic treatments and alternaltive medicine treatments that people will try, some of which are quite effective for treating headache. So there are a number of offshoots. And chirpractors offer a great potential. There are also medical devices that headache sufferers need.

Here's an example: many migraine suffers experience veritgo. Ginger root has been used to combat sea sickness from before the time of Jesus by Chinese sailors. A study at the University of Maryland medical school confirms the effectiveness of this treatment for many people. A 189 capsule bottle of Giner Root sells over the natural foods and supplements counter for about $14. The regimen requires 4 to 6 capsules per day. That means a resell every 40 days or so.

Herbal teas, weight loss regimens, exercise programs, stress relief programs, meditation and relaxation programs (think cd's, videos, software) are all great follow ups for headache sufferers.
And if I lived in Omaha (which I don't) there are a number of chiropractors who could use this product. Cervocogenic headache is one of the types diagnosed by Headache Heoper. If I built a community of chiropractors who would have their patients use the test I could reap some nice dollars. Not like selling software for $200 or $100 but the repeat business could be fantastic and with ABIS providing the Headache Helper automated product, man the dollars could roll in!!! People going to chiropractors spend big dollars on their own and more and more health care insurer's are paying for these treatments.

So why arean't we at ABIS doing this? Hey, man, you know the motto, "stick to your knitting". I know from zero plus or minus 3 sigma about IM and we are developers of medical materials and software. We "is" limited in our resources and have to watch our wings less we carry to much prey and crash land. Bruce Abbott,M.D. and I have been working on getting the assessment algorithm right for a number of years. We have spent a lot of $$$ on this effort. I do know the headache and the headache medical business backwards and forwards though. I can cite, spit and regurgitate numbers, data points, markets, dollars spent, etc.;)

And I haven't mentioned the offshore potential. One of the busiest spots for ABIS geographically with an earlier version of Headache Helper was Europe. After the U.S., Europe gave us a lot of traffic then Canada and Austrlaila. Interesting thing about headaches, they are now present in Asia and South America as developing countries mimick our culture and develop illnesses accordingly. Anybody interested in marketing Headache Helper to the Spanish speaking community?

I think Mike(I apolgize if I've named the wrong individual) in the Tiger community provides a newsletter on weight loss. He could add Headache Helper as a product. The package I'm working on bundles the computerized assessment with TSBPro bundled materials (including a spiffy headache diary and e-book) on treatments written by a qualified medical doctor. No b.s. in it, just straight darn good stuff.
Since women constitute a larger percentage of headache sufferers and men are under diagnosed a smart IM'r would create product to cater to these groups. Again the lead in would be Headache Helper. The most searched illness of the Internet is headache, and many victims also suffer depression. Talk about markets and resell!
Okay, I dumped a lot here but I know the "headache" business backwards and forwards and cite stats and dollars in my sleep.
What I'm seeking from Tiger Community is some brainstorming by marketing types who are interested in trying something with us. Heck, I haven't even settled on an on line price for the assessment. And the report it generates could be cosmetically improved. But I'm in the forest on a techical mission, and it's a b*** trying to fly over the forest at 2500 feet for a birds eye view at the same time. Someone like Tink( again I may have the wrong person; graphics and web design background? ) probably has ideas on how to do that. Who's interested in working with us? That's the question for me. Perhaps nothing will come of my query, but stones unturned represent missed opportunities.
Best Regards,
John Burns

[Glenn]

Hello again John,
Looking over your site just now. One thing I noticed was that the link to View the Headache Helper© questionnaire here (http://www.headacheanalysis/abis_test_2_1_revised.html)
is not working. It is located at the bottom of the "Research Study" page.

Also, just a few suggestions if I may be so bold. I would spice up the website some. Graphics and just some work on the fonts etc. would go a long way here. Not so much use of the "highlighted words" etc.

On the landing page especially, I think some good ole sales pitch "copyrighting type stuff" in the form of what you see for IM products would actually help out here.

Show or tell benefits to the everyday consumer "average joe, etc."
You have: problem: Bad Headache. Can't recall headache episodes for proper diagnosis.

This sounds like a doctor talking (no offense intended) and requires the "average joe" to decipher out of doctor code. I know the words are not that big---but hey, regular joe's do not talk that way.

Try something like:
Are you suffering from headaches?
All you want is relief from the pain. We have your remedy!
ABIS's Free Headache Tracker Software.

Keep a convenient record of each time you have a headache and the severity of the pain involved.

This handy record will allow you to use our provided information to help you understand headache causes and our suggested effective treatment.


Get relief now! Click here for your free software.

Ok, so that was a brief and somewhat bad attempt, but you get the idea. Also, let me suggest losing almost everything else on the page including all the links in the body and at the top and sides (every link). Your goal here is only one thing. To get them either to download the software or to enroll in your study. Nothing else yet!

You can either use an autoresponder to suggest they enroll in the study or send them to that offer after the download. If you give folks too many options (links to other stuff) right now---they will get sidetracked.

Decide what "one thing" you want to accomplish on your landing page and stick to that only for now. The other stuff later. Example: let them download software---you send link in email etc.----When they finish filling out your form on website (for autoresponder of course) they are automatically sent to a "thank you page" or regular page with all the links included for them to look around etc.

I may be confusing you somewhat there--LOL

I hope what I say was not offensive in any way, but that is just the way I see things.

Now, as far as getting others to join and the possibility of more sales and money for them in the future.
For this you would probably want to go with an affiliate type of setup or payout etc.

I don't know if you have followed some of the other threads talking about the RAP script. But something like that may be what you are looking for and solve that problem.

Hope that helps you a little, just my take on things.
Glenn

P.S. Almost forgot----get a software box made ---again graphics---looks more valuable.
But not this one--heheee
http://www.tylerwebdesigns.com/HeadacheTracker.jpg

[fortesque]

Glenn:
Great feedback! Very helpful. As you can tell I'm not an IM'r. Wanted to keep the site away from being "hucksterish" because med folks and others in healthcare come to it. Maybe need two web sites.
However, if you read my last post to Thomas you will note we're not in IM business. That's why I was hoping someone like yourself who has this experience, skill and inclination would be interested.
Again thanks for your feedback.
John Burns

[Glenn]

John,
I understand being "hucksterish" and I do agree that the site or sites will target at least 2 different types. The average joe and the professional. So yes, two websites may be an option here.
Glenn

[Dexx]

John have you looked to try building an affiliate force by way of ClickBank?

Take a look at the Linden Method

they promote via CB for Panic / Anxiety Attacks and do really well

[NextDay-Copy]

i'm totally fascinated.

I have a healthcare (and software, and marketing) background (what can I say, it's been a long life... :)

I clicked on the link to the survey -- and, having spent over 6 years at Apple, I have the "usability" religion (of course, working with websites, usability comes up, as well.)

It's one thing to provide a product, another to get people to "buy" (even if buying is just downloading), and still another to get them to use.

I was a bit intimidated by the survey form! I think there are ways to make it easier and less intimidating for folks. (Granted -- I did not spend a long time on the page...but I didn't have to!)

Anyway ... I'm a bit stacked up with work right now, so I'm not quite sure when my next tour of this forum will be.

But I have plans (not as firm as I might like) for various health-related sites -- so something like this software would definitely be intriguing. I'll need a bit more time to digest the opportunity(ies) that you are offering.

Live JoyFully!

Judy Kettenhofen, Profit Strategist/Copywriter
NextDay Copy

[fortesque]

i'm totally fascinated.

I have a healthcare (and software, and marketing) background (what can I say, it's been a long life... :)

I clicked on the link to the survey -- and, having spent over 6 years at Apple, I have the "usability" religion (of course, working with websites, usability comes up, as well.)

It's one thing to provide a product, another to get people to "buy" (even if buying is just downloading), and still another to get them to use.

I was a bit intimidated by the survey form! I think there are ways to make it easier and less intimidating for folks. (Granted -- I did not spend a long time on the page...but I didn't have to!)

Anyway ... I'm a bit stacked up with work right now, so I'm not quite sure when my next tour of this forum will be.

But I have plans (not as firm as I might like) for various health-related sites -- so something like this software would definitely be intriguing. I'll need a bit more time to digest the opportunity(ies) that you are offering.

Live JoyFully!

Judy Kettenhofen, Profit Strategist/Copywriter
NextDay Copy

Hi Judy:
yes the questionnaire has a lot of material in it but it looks at 25 plus headache condiditions and comorbidites. The questionnaire and the output profile need cosmetic improvement but the accuracy of the assessment is very good. We are in a medical study project right now building data for med journal articles.
On line version for purchase probably needs to be curtailed and less comprehensive. Other users are health care providers themselves, and for that market a robust report is a desirable output.
Best regards,
John Burns