If I had a million dollars (to grow Logos Bible Software)...
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I'm not sure how often it's been mentioned in this thread, but I believe Logos needs to develop support for e-readers, blackberry/Android phones, iPad, and all other manner of portable devices that allow the user to take their library anywhere. Consider this my +1 to any/all previous comments to this end. [:D]
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I think the idea is to get more people into using Logos to help them in studying the Bible. Isn't that right? And in order to do that, people have to know that your product is out there and you have to be able to show them what your software is capable of doing.
Best way to do that is to make a free or low cost entry package available to people, and you make it easier to use.
OF COURSE this would mean that you will give away 50 free or low cost entry level packages for every 2 people who will upgrade to a higher level package - but so what?
You can't be afraid of attracting low life's who are only seeking free stuff. That's where I came from. But now I'm at the Scholars Library (L4) level, even though it took some years for me to get there.
The way it started for me was that I was actually given a low cost Logos 3 package (The Norman Geisler Apologetics Library) several years ago, and it sat, basically unused, on my PC for a long time.
Oh, every once in a while I'd open it up and try to use it but it was difficult to learn. So, many things to remember to make the Logos 3 program work. It wasn't just intuitive. There was a lot of configuring to do before hand. You couldn't just sit down and start using it to study the Bible. At least I couldn't. So every once in a while I'd watch a video of how to use some feature in L3 and each time I did I learned something new and began to use it more and more.
Then I bought the e-Bible package called The Ultimate Bible Reference Library ($20.00 if I remember correctly), and began to use Logos 3 even more. And now I use the L4 Scholars package.
So, if you really want to grow Logos, you have to increase sales - along those lines, my thoughts are these:
- Advertising - more people need to hear about Logos 4. I know several who have never even heard of Logos. Not sure it was such a good idea to remove Logos from the retail market (i.e.; Christian book stores) - at least people were aware that there was a Bible study program called Logos.
- Make an entry level package (free or very low cost). Right now it is cost prohibitive for many people I know - hence the use of e-Sword and The WORD. Like it or not, these free programs are part of your competition. In my experience, I have found that people are hesitant to shell out several hundred dollars without being able to actually "test drive" the software first and see what it can do.
- Make purchasing new (additional) resources less expensive - especially those that are in the public domain already. Why should people buy them at a premium price when they can have them for free in some of the free Bible software programs out there?
- Include the ability to purchase more resources from within the program (and make it very easy to find and use)
- Make the L4 program even easier (beyond just the Home page) for new users (without dumbing down the product) - include some default entry level layouts so new users can just type in a topic or passage and go.
- Make Logos books available to be read on e-book readers like Kindle and the Sony eBook Reader - this is what people want, and it's only going to increase in the future.
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our purpose is to lead others to Christ, and then to keep pointing them back to Him. We desire to get them into the Word and trust Him to change their lives as He has ours!
Yes. I quite agree. We just catch 'em. He cleans 'em!
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Most of my friends and colleagues could be described as computer geeks (could whip up web sites in minutes writing raw HTML, work in programming or IT support, advise people, have long technical discussions with Microsoft staff, software purchasers with large budgets and generally spend many hours staying on top of their field) and they are mostly all Bible-believing Christians.
BUT most of them, technically savvy Christians, have never heard of Logos (or those that have are under the impression that it is expensive). I want to ask WHY is that?. They have all heard of e-sword and commonly talk about Quickverse (yes I know...), but don't have much of a clue of the existence or the unique selling points of Logos. WHY?
I wonder if you carried out a survey of every Church-goer to "Name some Bible Software and tell me some of it's features" where you think Logos would rank?
(PS I'm not suggesting you actually do this).
- Do people even know about Logos? If not, why not?
- If they do, WHAT do they know about it? How did they get these impressions?
- How can you correct misconceptions?
Get Logos 4 out into every seminary, bible-school with free scholar's libraries (or equiv) to pastors, students. It's amazing the power of a Pastor's recommendation to his congregation!!
James
PS PLEEEEEEEASE update notes - there has just been posted YET another thread about the lamentable state of them! Perhaps then I can recommend Logos to my techie friends!
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This topic piqued my iinterest from the start,, but i am have not been able to read thru it all yet.. forgive me if i am rehashing.
have beth moore or kay arthur do simulcast studies with logos software. tie it in to Bible Study magazine on going feature. Broadcast on you tube. Offer discounts to all entrants. if they complete course give them upgrade discounts to next level.
Just flinging a few ideas out there. my wife doesn't touch Logos. thinks it is too complicated or cerebral. but she loves those women. and study. that might be a bridge to many more logos users. make it simple, practical, and pleasing to the eye. I am telling you, think visually, too. it matters not to many tech people or academicians, but it sure does artistic people and women. persoonalize.
run bible studies interfaced with facebook. think how many moms are on that?
this is just brainstormin', folks.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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James Hudson, you make a point that I did not cover, when I made the jump from free resources like the Online bible, The Sword Project, and E-Sword, to Logos, I did not go directly to Logos, I went to many other products including the one you mentioned first, and part of the reason why did was, I did not know the difference in features offered by Logos, and in many cases the other brands had huge sales on packages that I could afford to buy and try out just to get the copyrighted resource. My first contact with Libronix did not come from buying a Logos package, but rather one of Nelson's eBible packages at a huge discount.
I still buy many other cheap packaged programs, because I want to see what they are offering and since I try to teach believers how to use bible software, I run into many different programs and I have to know what is going on in order to teach them about the software they are using.
Many people that have these other softwares have no idea how much difference there is between their program and Logos. They bought the program they had because of the lower price and to get copyrighted books or bibles. However even if there was a Logos program at the same price these people would still not have known there was a real difference and many would have bought what ever their friends had.
So education is still the answer to Logos selling bigger and better products.
I have ended up with Logos because I learned it was better through the school of hard knocks, I have also learned that in many cases when you compare the same level of package in the other brands to Logos, that Logos is the better buy, but for many that does not matter because the buy in price is to high and they don't know the difference in the software anyway. Hey they wouldn't put 899.00 down for Logos or another brand, they don't know the value in either.
i believe the way to reach and teach these people is through the local church rather than seminary. Focus on the guy they already know and count on, teach Him how to teach them to use these programs, teach Him the value in electronic bible study. Call Him Pastor or Elder, if you get his attention the rest of the body will hear about. Seminary and bible schools are also good natural markats, but I think you will miss something just going to them.
The whole body has to see the need to study the Word of God!
Dan I just saw some of your ideas they are great ideas!
In Christ,
Jim
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i believe the way to reach and teach these people is through the local church rather than seminary. Focus on the guy they already know and count on, teach Him how to teach them to use these programs, teach Him the value in electronic bible study. Call Him Pastor or Elder, if you get his attention the rest of the body will hear about. Seminary and bible schools are also good natural markats, but I think you will miss something just going to them.
The whole body has to see the need to study the Word of God!
Dan I just saw some of your ideas they are great ideas!
In Christ,
Jim
i think the local church would be a key way to go. employing it for leader training.
i went to logos solely because of resources. series x. i thought they had a killer lineup, compared to what others had at that time. the softward was so-so, but i was enamored with the pop up and having alll thosee books on a machine.
but most people are not library hounds like me. They want a few good resources and a program that is easy to use. and they need aa reason to use it. they need to be shown it. for some of the guys in my church, having a quality dictionary or two, quality maps and illustrations/media, and being able to put it all on a (easily made) handout would help. combine handouts with something like lesson maker.
to boot, mmake the ipod/pad/portable reader really cool.. on another thread, theey talkeed of thee (sry, crapppy keyboard) cool reading interface. i think that would help your less than hardcore bible sstudents want to get into logos. partner with publisherrs, ggetting current ebooks. that could get people in thedoor.
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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Ok here is my input as a senior .net developer currently a disabled vet probably a year or two away from entering back into the workforce. It pains me to say that I don't think adding loads of new developers will solve anything. It really relies on two areas architecture, and advisors that is where you can improve a bit in this market. What I would suggest is taking a look at your base packages and improve there in the area of ease of use etc.
I also think it would be wise to consider consulting with the various denominations and theological backgrounds to identify the best commentaries of each or might I say the most recommended from each come up with a strategy to bundle these in your base packages to improve the well roundness of each package ( I find that the main definciency with your product is not enough commentaries come with your base packages) Now for the positive your language ref material is super to say the least, historical background works awesome as well as your graphics illustrations maps charts these are excellent keep up the good work there now all you need is to concentrate on beefing up the theology portion and clear sailing ahead. Also target the average user not the just the seminary students or pastors there are a growing number on non denominational traditionalists out here kepp that in mind. Kudos for logos 4 gold I love it and won't dwell on the bugs because of self condemnation on my developed software (joking plus try as we might MS owns that dep)
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Who's afraid of freebie-loaders? So what if they want free things. I do. I download a free audio book from a christian company because they offer it. I never would have heard of them had they not offered a free resource on a preaching site.
For the last 4 years or so, I have downloaded one free book, faithfully, every month. I have not purchased that much. Maybe 80 dollars worth. that is not a lot, and far less then I have downloaded. BUT, I have purchased from them. I have told other people about them. And had i a sense that I could listen to a lot more audiobooks than I currently do, I would buy more frequently than I am right now.
The problem is not with the freebies. The problem is the felt need, usability, and the follow up. Stein's point was that he was a freeloader until he got more of a sense of the program's functionality and use to HIM. Then he steadily upgraded.
I would like to get more poeple started in Logos at my church. they won't for 250. Maybe 80. or 100. But even if it was near free, IF it was tied to something to make the experience come alive, and STICK, they would use it.
that is one reason i suggested coordination with a well known Bible teacher. Have the study based on Logos use and resources. The name would draw in people. The knowledge and ability of that teacher would fill in where local guys might not have the courage or know how, and certainly not the draw.
Once people get the fever, and believe they can do it, they get excited, use it more and PURCHASE.
One of the abilities I appreciate about Morris P. is getting people to believe that even the simplest Logos functions are "that cool" and "that simple" and that time spent in Logos (God's Word) will ROCK your world!
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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