On another board a poster asked folks to fill out an online survey helping him/her further understand the needs of the target market and to get feedback in general. SurveyMonkey is a great tool for this sort of thing - yea the surveys are a little bland but they serve the purpose and they don't require knowing any HTML/Dreamweaver/XHTML stuff.
Ok, on to the goods (the idea). Warning - this is raw and NOT well thought out but a viable concept, especially with the growing "tween" set. And remember, they've managed to promote MySpace to stratospheric success.
Name: BeamARing or MixARing (working title)
Concept: Online service that allows users to create custom ringtones based on what is currently contained in their digital music player.
Details: BeamARing would be a web based application that once the player is installed would connect to a person's iTunes (or alternative digital music player) and allow users to selet songs currently on their computer, edit them (basic edits - like more bass, less bass, instrumental, and splicing ), and then send the edited song to their cell phone via a text message. So basically, I would go to www.beamaring.com and download the little player thing. It would go through and sift my iTunes and put it into a web browser (just the visual list, not the actual contents of the player - to lessen server space requirements). I could pick my favorite song, and it would upload the file to a temporary place in this web application. I could then chop it up and add bass and remove the instrumentals - so I could upload Michael Jackson's Thriller. And if the contracts are right, I can put Michael Jackson's voice saying "hey, pick up the phone" and then my spliced up Thriller comes on (the part with Vincent Price's voice at the end). Once I'm done playing with my new ring tone that I've just created, I can enter my cell phone number and have my new ring tone texted to me.
I can then save my ringtone to my profile and share it with my "network" of friends. Imagine being able to CREATE the ringtone that will identify me when I call my phones. No more having your ringtone be the theme song to NightRider or Paris Hilton's "Stars are Blind".
We've thought of some extensions, but you've got to email or comment for the extensions (muahaha! driving page visits). Could be big with the "tweeny" set. And adults are split on the "music ringtones" idea - some thing its cool, others don't. Capture the hearts of those who dig the idea of "jiggy" ringtones.
Why it works: BeamARing gives the user their own ringtone studio and the ability to easily create, share and show-off custom tones. Djing/mixing music is something that captures the attention of boys early on and usually stays with them into adulthood - hence the number of wannabe producers. Girls will be on board because it gives them an outlet to be creative and express themselves.
Advantages: No USB Mini cables or other sync cables that cell phone service providers are too cheap to give you in the box that comes with the phone. No need to buy the cell phone software like Motorola Phone Tools (cuz you know Phone Tools isn't free) or the sucky software that comes with LG phones. More bang for your iTunes buck!
Disadvantages: Umm, the programming. And potential legal issues associated with splicing up copyrighted music, although I don't see a problem because its based on what is contained on one's music player, which assumes that it was legally purchased. Question: what type (s) of usage does your itunes purchase grant license for?
For more details, leave a comment. We can provide more information on extensions we've thought up and ways to increase secondary sources of income (click through rates).
Now Playing: The Pharcyde - Other Fish (Bizarre Ride II)
2 comments:
Interesting idea, it could be a pretty sweet Flash-based site, actually. Just upload your file, and then get an online mixing pad. You could allow people to mix their files together for free, but to save the end result would require $$$ out of their pocket. To capture the 'tween' audience (who generally has no credit card), you could create gift accounts for parents to buy multiple ringtone mix credits to their kids.
Exactly. We figure "tweens" "teens" and "college students" are the ones keeping MTV going. Why not tap into that same market while crossing what makes MTV popular with the cell phone explosion.
The biggest bonus, IMO, is the ability to send the ring tone via a text message, instead of having to have the uploading cables.
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