How to popularize iPhone photography software?

05/07/2009 08:57:14 PM · #1

Hey folks!

Let's say I'd created a cute photography utility for the iPhone (Expositor, an exposure calculator, not actually available yet, but already in the review queue). Does anyone have ideas about where I could put up announcements or links to it that would be seen by lots of photographers? I need to popularize it!

Frankly, I'm a terrible salesman... most of my projects go into a drawer and are never seen by more than a handful of people.

As long as I'm here, does anyone have feature requests for photographic reference or calculators? I'm also looking to extend functionality for future versions!

Heck, I wonder if Drew and Langdon would accept a small fee for placement here on the DPC! I should ask them. Of course, as a registered member, I have no idea what the ads here even look like. :)

Please lend me your thoughts!

Message edited by author 2009-05-07 20:57:45.

jeger

Canon EOS-5D

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

05/07/2009 09:20:14 PM · #2

One of the best ways to advertise is to offer a free version which has limited function. If you have a look, most of the good games have demos which users can try for free, before purchasing. I'm not sure how well this would work with an application as opposed to a game, but it's worth thinking about.

Michish

Olympus E-510

05/07/2009 11:19:07 PM · #3

i'm a huge fan of checking out free versions on my ipod so i agree with jeger.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

05/07/2009 11:31:06 PM · #4

Everyone want to be on the IPhone. Have you thought about perhaps having a larger part of a smaller market? Though not as popular a platform (yet), I would love to see stuff like this for Android.

eckoe

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

05/07/2009 11:35:15 PM · #5

porting it to the blackberry would also be spectacular. Especially the storm.

frisca

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/08/2009 01:46:11 AM · #6

Send it to Mac user's magazine. If its one of a kind, they might write about it! I learn about lots of good apps for the iphone that way.

05/08/2009 01:13:03 PM · #7

Originally posted by frisca:

Send it to Mac user's magazine. If its one of a kind, they might write about it! I learn about lots of good apps for the iphone that way.

Thanks for the idea, this is exactly what I'm looking for!

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/08/2009 01:14:25 PM · #8

Originally posted by jeger:

Considering I made like $800 on a selectable picture of cat that you can pet so that it purrs, I'd rather charge a bit. This app is actually useful! ;)

Message edited by author 2009-05-08 13:16:22.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

05/08/2009 01:20:14 PM · #9

port it to windows mobile :)

sell it at handango...

dassilem

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/08/2009 03:29:05 PM · #10

Originally posted by Mousie:

Originally posted by jeger:
One of the best ways to advertise is to offer a free version which has limited function. If you have a look, most of the good games have demos which users can try for free, before purchasing. I'm not sure how well this would work with an application as opposed to a game, but it's worth thinking about.

Considering I made like $800 on a selectable picture of cat that you can pet so that it purrs, I'd rather charge a bit. This app is actually useful! ;)

for iphone?

Simms

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/08/2009 03:55:14 PM · #11

Agree - offer a cut-down free version - to be honest it sounds great, let me know if it gets approved and I'll be buying it for my iPod.

I spend too much on apps for my ipod. those 59p`s soon add up.

jeger

Canon EOS-5D

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/08/2009 03:57:46 PM · #12

Originally posted by Mousie:

The point of having a free version that has some features disable has nothing to do with the quality of the application. People are selfish, and the free downloads have a lot higher volume of downloads. The idea is to get people to download the free version, so that they know your application exists. If it is a good application, then they will pay for after having tried it. Just thought I would clarify.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

05/08/2009 05:54:47 PM · #13

and I hate reading about how great an app is, pay for it, download it and it is a piece of crap, etc. I like the idea of being able to see and use it a little first, to see if it functions properly

05/08/2009 07:32:08 PM · #14

Haha, listen to all you cheapskates! Just joshing... I totally get the free teaser concept. I've been a software developer for decades, and feel that the inability to test out a trial versions of stuff on the iTunes store is a major Achilles heel.

On top of it, I think I've only paid for three apps out of the dozens I've downloaded and used. Even a mere 99 cents is a substantial hurdle for me, personally.

Unfortunately, the way I've designed my app (which is crazy efficient compared to the competition) makes it very hard to strip out any functionality. It only takes one touch to use it. It provides comprehensive exposure setting information as a result, on a single screen. In order to strip it down, I'd have to arbitrarily limit the range of exposures it'll calculate in a way that makes it not that useful, to drive upgrades. Making it useful for testing out makes it useful in the field, and that means people won't be inclined to upgrade. Making it not very useful in the field means people won't exercise it in a way that makes it FEEL useful... how many people are going to go shoot out of their comfort zone to see if it works for them?

Maybe I'll post a screenshot later (when I have one handy) to show you why I'm hesitant. Its simplicity and ease of use is the very problem... it's hard to take anything away!

That's actually why I came here... faced with the inability to offer a stripped-down version that doesn't offend my sensibilities (hee!) I need more ideas like Frisca's! :)

05/08/2009 07:33:08 PM · #15

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Everyone want to be on the IPhone. Have you thought about perhaps having a larger part of a smaller market? Though not as popular a platform (yet), I would love to see stuff like this for Android.

Unfortunately (or fortunately!) I have a iPhone to develop on, so iPhone apps it is! :)