Mobile Photo Content?

[KevinG]

Taking a survey here.

In the digital world of sales and marketing, mobile content is taking off. I attended a mobile conference in San Fran last July and came back quite motivated to do something in this market.

I'm trying to decide if I should offer the Cigar Review Smokin' Babe Photos for Mobile phones, as in this example from The Sun's Page 3:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/section/0,,2005390001,00.html

You send a text message, receive the content to your phone and it is added to your phone bill.

I believe mobile content generally appeals more to the younger crowd.

For me, my cell phone is a necessary evil to stay productive and in touch when I'm not home, or to be used in an emergency when on the road.

However, the teens to 20-somethings are starting to use their mobile devices more than the Internet for entertainment, chat and content delivery.

The problem is there's a $1500 set up fee and a $750 monthly fee to keep the "short code" with the mobile carriers and I have no clue what the sales volume would be. There's a minimum 6-month contract too.

Would you buy this type of content for your mobile phone?


Prices:
1 picture for $1.99
3 pictures for $3.99
10 pictures for $9.99

[stanthetaxman]

[quote="KevinG"]I believe mobile content generally appeals more to the younger crowd.

Ya' think? I don't get it. Nor, am I paying for my daughter to get it!

[anton]

cool idea, but I would never pay for any content for my phone. That's just how I am.

[ram416]

For my two bits....I wouldn't do right yet. The initial investment and ROI, not to mention COO is too high to justify unless you are targeting that specific market. The winners in this area right now appear to be mags like Maxxum and SI, as well as content providers with HUGE listings of optional background, ring tones, and other digital bling. Once the fire cools a little, the cost should drop and the market should still be there, if it ever was. Now as for some of the other companies you are involved with might do better at selling content, and you might consider spreading the cost out over several users and set up one portal with multiple download paths. The service could be advertised on their websites, or if they have a physical location, at their store fronts. You might be able to tie this into a promotion to further kick the ball in motion.

Not that I’ve looked into this or anything.

For my own part, I just download the file I want, Photoshop it, then email it to my phone. Once there I just set it as my background. But, then again, I am a geek, so I don’t see that as all that hard a process.

And, as always, this is just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[KevinG]

Thanks Stan and Anton for your input. Anton - can you link me up to some places where there is free cell phone content?

Muchas gracias Rammer.

That's great input. (That's what she said).

There are some other details I'm working on that could still make this work.

I am exploring other distribution channels and trying to negotiate lower rates and deferred payments to see if I can get sales under my belt before having to cough up cash.

I also have access to ring tones and other toys to supplement the photo content.

Any other input is greatly appreciated and I'll keep you posted on where this goes.

Where's Tyler? Dude, I need your youthful input here. (That's what she said.)

[anton]

like RAM, I Just do it myself. I'm pretty good with photoshop and I have editing tools that allow me to cut a segment out of an mp3 file for my ringtones. Whatever I want for my phone, I make myself.

[KevinG]

I found a service with no upfront costs and a split on sales. I can test it out with no fees.

If anyone can help me out and test this, I would greatly appreciate it. It will cost you $1.99.

I can't test it myself as they do not support Verizon phones.

If anyone can test it by purchasing a pic, I'll pay you back.

http://www.cigar-review.com/images/mode ... n/jasmin4/

Thanks.

[anton]

I'd help but I use Verizon.

[ram416]

Send me the info, I'll do it. I use Sprint's PCS service on a Samsung SPH-A740 phone.

[KevinG]

Originally Posted by ram416

Send me the info, I'll do it,\. I use Sprint's PCS service on a Samsung SPH-A740 phone.

It was in my last post, just go here:
http://www.cigar-review.com/images/mode ... n/jasmin4/

[ram416]

All righty now…here’s my evaluation so far,:

1. Its 4:48 CST and I sent at 4:44 CST my SMS text message to get my download and have it billed to my phone account. I’m still waiting for my reply to allow me to download

2. Simple to use interface, but for my SMS service the instructions are out of order.


3. Your pictures are currently out of size for compatibility. The images need to be more square then rectangular.

I’ll keep you guys updated as soon as anything changes.

[ram416]

Okay, let’s try again!

The SMS payment system didn’t work. Its 6:54 and I still haven’t received a back my “reply message with download instructions”

So, I thought I’d try the credit card/****** option. I started this transaction at 6:46 CST, the transaction went through smooth, I received my two confirmation emails from txtNation and my one from ******, but I still haven’t my link or content as of 7:00 CST.

[ram416]

Update:

8:37 CST, I've confirmed my ****** account has been charged $2.62, so the paying part of the transaction occured, but still don't have content.

I sent a help request, using the online form, and received a confirmation page after completion that said it could take 24 to 48 hours for a reply. :?

[stanthetaxman]

I don't understand a word you just said, but I admire you for doing it!

Stan, I think it has something to do with someone making intrest on ram's money while he is waiting for a photo.