download code question

[StephenT]

I have an mp3 file that I would like to have for people to download to their computer to save. I want this to be able to be played on their computer or mp3 player. The problem is that the file I have linked to opens in a player instead of just a file for them to download.

I'm clearly not a programmer. How do I make this happen?

[pamb10]

does your link link directly to the mp3 file? i believe it opens directly in a player when clicked because (on most computers) .mp3 is a file extension that is associated with a certain program. they should be able to right click on the file to save it.

[StephenT]

Yeah, Pam, it does. I uploaded it to my site and I have the link going directly to that file. There is no option for the customer to sve the file, it just plays.

[pamb10]

yeah, but cant you right click on the link and save the file?

[StephenT]

For me, what happens is that it open in quicktime and starts playing. I tried right clicking and there was no option to download.

[Rick Olsen]

Steve - Zip the file, then upload it. Should work.

[wade_watson]

Stephen, that's an great question. I'm a long time HTML tinkerer, but you stimulated me to do some research. Normally, a web browser goes through 3 steps when you click a file like mp3 or jpg, etc. First, it tries to it in web browser plugin. If there's no plugin, it tries to open it in an external program associated with it. If it finds nothing there, it just lets you download it as a saved file.

The short answer is that there's no easy way to set a file up that way, other putting it in a zip file, as Rick said. It probably can be done in PHP code, but neither you or I want to figure that out. I found a rare HTML command that was supposed to do it (type="application/octet-stream"), but when I tested in my own WordPress site, it didn't work. If anybody has a better idea I'll be surprise and impressed.

I don't know what browser you use, but in Firefox, right clicking an mp3 link should show you a dialog with "Save Link As..." which saves the file. In Internet Explorer it's "Save Target As..."

Anyway, we all learned a little something.

Wade

[StephenT]

Thanks Rick, you suggestion worked like a charm.

[StephenT]

New question! I get as far as asking for the email address to send the down load to, but how do I get the name to become part of my list on aweber and at the same time send the download page to the email listed? I'm not sure how to make the aweber connection to the whole thing. there has to be some sort of script in there.

[StephenT]

How come I'm doing all the talking here? :confused:

Anyway, let me see if I have the process straight.


Customer goes to sales page
If they want to buy, they click the link to paypal
Paypal directs them to the optin page
If they optin, they are sent a confirmation page telling them to watch for the email which comes from Aweber
If they confirm, aweber sends them my download page.

Should there be a redirect in there somewhere? What keeps them from saving the link and downloading it over and over again?

[Rick Olsen]

I deleted this comment because sometimes I'm an insensitive jerk and I say stupid things I can't take back. You've missed nothing as what I wrote is better left unread. My apologies, especially to Steve.

[StephenT]

Ok, perhaps I should not call it an optin. I am asking them to give me their email and name so I can confirm that they are really asking for the downloads. I also get to keep their address for future offers. It is what Aweber suggests.

It gives the customer the chance to say they did indeed ask for the download or to refuse it in case someone put their name in where they didn't want it.

[Rick Olsen]

I deleted this comment because sometimes I'm an insensitive jerk and I say stupid things I can't take back. You've missed nothing as what I wrote is better left unread. My apologies, especially to Steve.

[StephenT]

Rick, it is quite possible i have it wrong. I am certainly not an expert. I am just trying to figure this out so that I can get the download to the person and build a list at the same time.

Perhaps someone else will have better luck trying to teach me.

[Rick Olsen]

I deleted this comment because sometimes I'm an insensitive jerk and I say stupid things I can't take back. You've missed nothing as what I wrote is better left unread. My apologies, especially to Steve.

[Lynn Terry]

Actually, Aweber integrates with PayPal. It is not illegal, or fraud in any way, to follow up with your customers. It's common practice, and usually very much appreciated.

See this tutorial for how to do that:
http://www.aweber.com/faq/questions/234/How+Do+I+Integrate+PayPal+With+AWeber%3F

[StephenT]

Thanks Lynn. Is my process correct or am I missing something. I will read the link you sent, but I'm curious.

[Rick Olsen]

I deleted this comment because sometimes I'm an insensitive jerk and I say stupid things I can't take back. You've missed nothing as what I wrote is better left unread. My apologies, especially to Steve.

[Lynn Terry]

Hey Rick,

There's being helpful and sharing a point, and there's being rude. You've crossed that line in this thread for whatever reason. I work hard to maintain a friendly community and productive atmosphere, so let's keep things moving forward here, ok? :)

There's nothing wrong with asking your customers where you can deliver the product, and their preferred method of contact for follow-up information. I have tested it both ways, and get a lot less complaints and customer support issues by placing a well-done request after the payment. It is not fraud, which is very strong word by the way, and it will not get you "shut down".

[Rick Olsen]

I deleted this comment because sometimes I'm an insensitive jerk and I say stupid things I can't take back. You've missed nothing as what I wrote is better left unread. My apologies, especially to Steve.

[Lynn Terry]

The first time you tried what, exactly? I didn't catch your meaning.

You don't actually have to use a double opt-in process for paying customers. Only for a mailing list of non-customers. For customers you can use a shopping cart, or the Aweber integration, to loop them straight into your customer database so that you can follow-up with them properly regarding their purchase.

Merchants often use the double opt-in process anyway, for good measure. I do on several of my downloads, and I insert the request after the payment on a page that says "thank you for your payment. how may I deliver your product?"

That's not withholding their product, it's serving my market. After they let me know which address they prefer to receive the product, I email them the download link and they are also taken to the download page. This helps A LOT as people often accidentally close the window and then have to email and request the link again. When they get it by email, they can return to it at anytime. I've had ZERO complaints with that method, and a lot less customer service issues.

It also gives them a way to immediately contact me, as they can reply to the email with questions or feedback.

[StephenT]

Lynn, I went to the Aweber link you gave and went through that process. I now will be able to build the list, that's cool! Now, Do I still use some sort of form to ask where to send the link or do I let paypal direct them to the download page? I was going with the double optin because I have several email address and appreciate being asked where I want a download or link to go.

I am a little concerned about the last method as it seems that I could have the link out there for all the friends and family to use free of charge! I know there is a process for redirect, but am a little unsure of how to do this.

I do have my email on the download page for contact in case there is problems.

[Lynn Terry]

No you won't need the opt-in option with that Aweber integration. It will automatically build a list based on the PayPal email address. If you prefer to do it the other way, you'll want to create a landing page after the payment that asks them where to deliver the product.

I have a complete walk-through of this process with one of my products detailed in the Elite Forum page by page. Check there and you can walk through it and see it as a visual.

You'll put your download page in a directory with an obscure name, and instruct the search engines not to index it. You can do this on the page and also in your robots.txt file. Otherwise nobody can get to the download page without going through the payment process. And if you notice a "leak" you just change the file name. No big deal.

[Lynn Terry]

Rick,

Why bail on a discussion? That's rude to the OP as it creates one-sided conversation in their thread that is hard to follow by other forum members. And it's rude to me to not answer my question and just delete all of your posts.

This community is meant for productive and helpful discussion of topics & resources. If you have something helpful to add to a conversation, do so and leave it. If not, don't.

[StephenT]

Can you give me a link to the walk through? I lokked, but didn't see it right off. Too much ADD in me I guess!

[Lynn Terry]

It's in there several times, but here is one of the latest:
http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/members/showthread.php?t=2753&page=2

:)

[Rick Olsen]

Lynn - I apologize to you and everyone else on the forum for being an insensitive jerk and saying stupid things.

[drmani]

I have an mp3 file that I would like to have for people to download to their computer to save. I want this to be able to be played on their computer or mp3 player. The problem is that the file I have linked to opens in a player instead of just a file for them to download.

I'm clearly not a programmer. How do I make this happen?

Stephen, not sure how much of a help this will be, but it's a step by step
guide to setting up a download link:

http://www.ezinemarketingcenter.com/download-link.pdf

To integrate with Aweber, you can simply use the Aweber opt-in form as
the 'thank you' page of your payment processor (like PayPal) and then
include the link to your product download page inside the first message
in the email series which is delivered immediately after.

Hope this is of some help :)

All success
Dr.Mani

[StephenT]

Thanks Dr. Mani

[Lynn Terry]

That's the method in the walk-through in the link I gave you. It walks through every page of one of my products set up at PayPal, so you can actually walk through it yourself and get a visual (just start after the payment processing bit and opt in to see exactly how it is all delivered).

And thank you, Dr Mani - appreciate the resource since my link is private!

[drmani]

And thank you, Dr Mani - appreciate the resource since my link is private!

Well, mine is for sale too (that's why the video links in the PDF aren't
live)... but hey, what's ten bucks between friends?! ;)

You're welcome, Lynn & Stephen. It's a pleasure to share stuff with folks
who'll actually use it!

All success
Dr.Mani