Scrivener Blew It: Amazon Marketing

Gary North - April 27, 2013

I first promoted Scrivener in 2011. I have continued to promote it. It's a great product.

Today, you can buy it for 50% off on Amazon: $20, not $40. Don't.

First, when you buy and download, you are given incorrect instructions. If you use Firefox, the screen does not pop up as described after it is through downloading. Nothing happens. You must use the SEARCH feature on the START page. If you do not know how to do this, you will not be able to install the downloaded file, which is hidden in your download file.

Second, if you figure this out and find the file, the version that installs is a 30-day trial version. Talk about bad marketing!

Third, if you figure out what to do next, you go back to the Amazon order page. There, you now find a reference to a buyer's code.

Fourth, you click the Software Library button. There, you find a one-line brief code.

Fifth, you go to Scrivener's activation page. There, you find a requirement: two lines of code. You now have no idea what to do next.

Sixth, you write an article warning your readers not to take advantage of the Amazon offer.

Seventh, you send a copy of the article to the man who sells Scrivener, warning him of the problems.