Occasionally, I obtain items of software that are aimed at Internet Marketers. These are either through giveaways, bought in a bundle of other products, and more rarely, bought individually.
On a lot of occasions, I've seen that the software is of quite low quality and obviously created by some sort of "software creator" program. Many of them don't even work. They are missing an essential file, or they were made for an earlier version of Windows.
Sometimes I come across something which is quite the opposite - a well-written, professionally designed program that is useful and a pleasure to use.
It happened again last night. I saw an advertisement for a program that was being sold for less than $5. I considered that to be so cheap that if it turned out to be rubbish, I hadn't lost very much.
What a bonus, then, to discover that it was of good quality, and came with Master Resell Rights. In my opinion, the software alone is worth considerably more that $5. More like $25 or $30 if promoted properly. I would make more than my money back with just one sale.
But it doesn't stop there. It was also supplied with no fewer than 4 eBooks, which could be sold separately or as a bundle with the software.
And finally, there is the potential to write another eBook or report about how to use software of that type. I would make it a free or low-price report containing several links back to my site where the software will be offered for sale. I'll then offer the report with full resale rights, and I will have my first viral marketing vehicle.
Finally, not only is it a potential money-maker - it's software that I can and will use in my own business.
The first part of this story is serendipity - making a fortunate discovery by accident. The advert I clicked was a moving pop-up, and I missed the close button, so I was taken to the sales page.
The next stage is the difference between the average man-in-the-street and an entrepreneur. Seeing the value and potential of the items purchased and how to extend that value to become more lucrative than the original package.
[Apparently, the word "serendipity" was created by the author, Horace Walpole. It's based on the title of a Persian fairy tale, "The Three Princes of Serendip", in which the main characters made several such accidental discoveries of good fortune.
Serendip is an old name for what is now called Sri Lanka (and formerly Ceylon)]
