Jacob Gorban, Apparent Software

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:45:57 -0800

Jacob Gorban founded Apparent Software in 2006 with the release of ImageFramer. Starting with programming as hobby since the age of about 12, on multitude of platforms, he made it a part-time business in 2006, alongside his career in electronics engineering. In early 2009 Jacob partnered with Kosta Rozen to take Apparent Software to the next level. Lately Jacob has left his day job to concentrate fully on Apparent Software. I was able to ask Jacob some questions about how they do marketing; Kosta stepped in as well to answer a couple of questions near the end. Please forgive Jacob for using the term "MicroISV" — I think the term "indie" is much more approachable, but that's just me….

DW: Can you tell us about your marketing activities?

JG: I must admit that I started this business without much real-life knowledge in marketing, as a developer. But I do love reading business books and blogs and listening to podcasts on these subjects to educate myself.

The first couple of years I've done the usual basic set of marketing activities that most mac developers do, such as listing on the software listing sites, SEO, a couple of MacZOT appearances and a little of other stuff such as trying to do some joint ventures with frame manufacturers. Over the time I started to realize that marketing should be done properly, smarter and that more resources should be devoted to it. Otherwise, the business will not grow.