Mmmmm... get your own iPhone app/port for only $249!!

[Mark1]

http://prophotoapps.com/

Considering this.... Not sure how long the promo $249 will last though. Folios was offering something like this for $600. A bit too much for me. But at $249 I may jump on this. It looks like it will be a good idea, and at that price it is not too much of a loss if it does not bring in much business. However I do not want it to try for new clients. I want it as a touch point for returning clients. They can keep up with the latest and have direct contact (email) where ever they are, at any time, when they are thinking about it. They dont have to try to remember when they get back to the office.

Any body else considering it?

[cdifoto]

Why not just build a mobile site and keep it up to date instead?

This app is limited to iPhone users and they'd have to install it to their phone, no? A mobile website can be viewed on any capable phone and you can simply have your phone number and email address there for people to text/call/email and book an appointment.

[Mark1]

A strong percentage of my clients have the iPhone. And as I said I want it to keep in touch, not necessarily get new people. While that may happen it is not may goal with it. A side point would be they will see my icon every time they look at the phone, it is a touch point even if subconsciously. You cant do that with a website. I can push specials directly to targeted users i.e. ones I have not heard from in a while and not just blanket everybody. But you can do that if you want to. Cant do that with a web site either, its only all or none.

And if I understand it right... they will get a notice when you add something. the lil number that shows up like on the icon when there is a new mail, app update..etc..etc. So they get notice when there is something new, you dont have to rely on them remembering about you, then finding time to go to a website before they forget about it..

[cdifoto]

Oh okay I see. Think they'd install it though? I don't think I would, but then I'm not your average consumer.

[Mark1]

I think 99% will not on their own. Nobody is going to search the app store looking for me. But, I think many would if you tell them about it when they are in studio, or you are delivering. Or even sending out a card announcing it. (yet another touch point!) They will do it so they do not look rude, but then they will play with it for a while. And if you can automate the update so it has a new image everyday or 2 days, like a blog can do,... You can spend 15 minutes on sunday and have the entire week lined up to update everybody. They may get hooked spending 15 seconds everyday at lunch to see what you put up. Another touch point!

The sucess of it I believe is, you will get out of it what you put into it. If you make it then never even look at it again it will be worse than burning money. Because you have this ageing, stale presence that you have given up control over by ignoring it. But if you take it on as an active form of marketing it will do great. And at only $249 if it only pays for itself it might be worth it. 1 job a year will more than cover its expense. If you cant get that one job a year for it.... you simply are not trying at all.

[cdifoto]

You run the risk of annoying them if you update it too much. Then they'd install it or turn off the notification (if possible).

I kinda like the idea of the app, sorta, but I don't like the fact that it's $249 and limited to iPhones. There are other devices on other networks becoming more and more popular. Android for instance is especially big and growing. I'd also want it for BlackBerry, Windows, and Palm users. iPhones are popular but they aren't the only thing out there.

In other words, if I'm going to "offer" something to my clients, I want equal access to everyone. I don't want to say "I have an app for that" and they say "cool let me get my Droid" and then be forced to respond "oh iPhone zealots only, sorry!"

[Mark1]

The update I think only puts up that lil number. Very easy to ignore if you want to. If they have a grocery list app, or the like, they are used to having a number there all the time. So it is not that big of a problem. If it was set to send up a flag and hog the screen till they acknowledge it, I totaly agree - instant delete.

Other platforms are definatley growing! I myself have moved to Android. That said iPhone is still 80%+ of the market. Not big enough to ignore the others. But big enough to have its own effort. Especially if it can pay for itself.

[cdifoto]

Well if it dings it'd be annoying.

Is iPhone really 80% of the market, or is it 80% of AT&T's user base?

If it pays for itself, go for it. But I don't see iPhone being "it" much longer unless they break exclusivity with AT&T. Android seems to be where it's really at these days, especially with a 4G from HTC coming soon to Sprint.

I still don't like the idea of marketing to iPhone users only.

[Mark1]

And no doubt when the developers think it is time they will make apps for other platforms.

[mofasho]

I'd keep non-iPhone users in the loop, and create a site that caters to all mobile browsers. That said, I own an iPhone and I do think it's cool. Just seems kind gimmicky.

[Mark1]

You are right! anything other than the lil number will be a bad thing.

[cdifoto]

And no doubt when the developers think it is time they will make apps for other platforms.

And charge you $249 apiece for them! ;)

[Mark1]

I'd keep non-iPhone users in the loop, and create a site that caters to all mobile browsers. That said, I own an iPhone and I do think it's cool. Just seems kind gimmicky.

Its all in how you work it. I do see your point that it could be the stupidist gimick on the i phone. But if you can work it the right way it could be a decient tool for the customer.

A mobile site is NEVER a bad idea! But, you have to rely on the customer to think about you then find time to actually go to the site! This brings the site to them! You update it and they get a notice. No waiting for them to remember, no having to load a RSS reader,

[Mark1]

And charge you $249 apiece for them! ;)

Which I will gladly pay for, if it brings in only 1 job a year. That 1 job should more than cover its cost.

[cdifoto]

Its all in how you work it. I do see your point that it could be the stupidist gimick on the i phone. But if you can work it the right way it could be a decient tool for the customer.

A mobile site is NEVER a bad idea! But, you have to rely on the customer to think about you then find time to actually go to the site! This brings the site to them! You update it and they get a notice. No waiting for them to remember, no having to load a RSS reader,

Orrrrrrr it could backfire and they hate you forever because you think too much of yourself.

I don't think we (photographers) rate as highly in our clients' everyday lives as we sometimes believe. "Photography" isn't really something people need to be reminded of daily, weekly, or even monthly. We're not on the shopping list like milk is.

If you want to be remembered, I think you should just put out damned good work for them and get your name out there as a whole. They won't forget you when they need it again. In my town, everyone knows who the senior portraits guy is. He's been doing a good job and he's been doing it for as long as anyone can remember. He doesn't need to light up everyone's phone.

EDIT: If you're charging so much that one gig pays for the $249 app, you're not going to get a previous client to some back all of a sudden just because you have a special going on or posted new photos. You're too expensive for that. They need an occasion, and that means they'd have to keep the application on their device long term. Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't. Personally, I don't keep applications that update too often with things that I don't need to know about.

[Mark1]

Oh, as a point of reference. I try to stay in the B2B world. I do very little retail portrait work. I do not see this as overly handy for retail photographers. But freelance, corporate, etc..etc. I see it working a lot better.

[cdifoto]

Oh, as a point of reference. I try to stay in the B2B world. I do very little retail portrait work. I do not see this as overly handy for retail photographers. But freelance, corporate, etc..etc. I see it working a lot better.

As a business to business photographer, that'd be even less useful, IMHO.

[Mark1]

Retail I see mainly as once a year customers. Christmas shots and maybe easter shots. And seniors are a one time deal. However corporate work is continual. There is always a new product coming out, or updates to an existing product. You have the marketing mailers that are at least quarterly, "company propaganda"... the posters they put on the wall as internal advertising, trade show handouts, The trade show signs are changed all the time, events they host, product launch partys, the list is endless. You got to stay in the front of the list to get the jobs!!

My "day job" is in a lab for a bio-med company. (Lucky I am second shift so I can run my photography during normal business hours) There are 4 of us that do photography on the side. We do almost all the work for the US division. And it just does not end. The 4 of us basically volunteer out time to the company. GASP!!! I know!! but it gets us out of the lab for a while and keeps us in practice.

[cdifoto]

Retail I see mainly as once a year customers. Christmas shots and maybe easter shots. And seniors are a one time deal. However corporate work is continual. There is always a new product coming out, or updates to an existing product. You have the marketing mailers that are at least quarterly, "company propaganda"... the posters they put on the wall as internal advertising, trade show handouts, The trade show signs are changed all the time, events they host, product launch partys, the list is endless. You got to stay in the front of the list to get the jobs!!

My "day job" is in a lab for a bio-med company. (Lucky I am second shift so I can run my photography during normal business hours) There are 4 of us that do photography on the side. We do almost all the work for the US division. And it just does not end. The 4 of us basically volunteer out time to the company. GASP!!! I know!! but it gets us out of the lab for a while and keeps us in practice.

In that case, shouldn't the client buy the app and have the photographers install it on their phones instead? You know - to let them know DING! "hey I have a new product I need shot!" DING! "'Nother one!" :D

[Mark1]

That would be nice. Only problem is the product manager is the one who has to let marketing know the product is ready then they have to OK it with accounting, who will send a memo to purchasing, who calls me........ you get the idea. The app gives them all touch points that may not directly make them come to me (consciously), but it hope it does improve the chances(subconsciously).