As the regular readers of Pr*tty Sh*tty know, I have been on a crusade since almost the inception of the blog to encourage greater audience participation. This, afterall, is not unlike any number of “fail blogs” (except that I endeavor to show a counterpart to the bad). And fail blogs thrive when the readers participate and contribute content. Cake Wrecks, Regretsy, There I Fixed It, the original Fail Blog: none would exist if the authors collected all the content themselves. Needless to say, those blogs have far larger audiences than my own, due to their broader appeal, so I’ve resigned myself to the notion that reader contributions will be limited. I can live with that. (Those of you who have sent me images, thank you!)
All that said, in parallel with my long-standing hope of an inbox flooded with contributions, I had a crazy idea that one day there might also be a Pr*tty Sh*tty iPhone app that could facilitate greater participation. Seeing as how I have no capacity, nor the time, to make such an app, I tabled that notion. Until now.
It just so happens that some young, eager, and talented fellows have an interest in helping me create one. The goal would be to have it work with the iPhone’s camera. Images could be cropped, asterisks added, and then emailed right to me. Simple stuff. So simple, my hope is people might actually use it. But before I set my crack team of developers to it, I thought I’d ask y’all: Any interest?
Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Thanks!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
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Yes! I already have a few ads along my morning commute that I'd happily use the app to snap.
ReplyDeleteThis is just the thing I was needing to justify getting an iphone. I would love to use this app. In fact the whole reason I don't contribute anything is I'm too lazy to leave where I am to go get my camera, to come back to the spot of the logo/graphic, then take a photo go back to a computer to download it, then upload it. So ya. Go for it! Sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the positive feedback everybody. That's encouraging. I just added a poll, so let's see what the results are after a few days.
ReplyDeleteI honestly had no idea that you wanted submissions. You might want to start by making that painfully obvious on the website.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I would absolutely use an iPhone app to snap shit (if you'll pardon the pun) and send it along.
When I started the FAIL Blog back in 2008 (before selling it to Cheezburger) I was sourcing my own content, but after making it easier for visitors to submit their pictures my content and traffic soared. I went from 500 hits a day to 250,000 in the space of two months, and more visitors = more contributions!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your content is a little more specialist. I recommend putting a big (but tasteful) submit button or web app on your homepage to make it quick and easy to contribute. You'll then be able to spend your time moderating and curating your collection, giving your visitors an even better user experience.
I absolutely support the new iPhone app. I would encourage you to make the app free, and maybe pay your development and maintenance costs with discrete advertising on your website.
I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope your app is a big hit!
Regards,
Dan
When I eventually get an iPhone, I would photograph the heck outta some pretty and shitty. So yes, I'd totally use it.
ReplyDeleteDan - Thanks for the incredible insight into the origins and growth of the Fail blog. Your advice is well taken, and worth heeding. I don't foresee any Cheezburger buy-outs in my future, but I'll gladly settle for more traffic and more participation. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't but only because I don't own a phone that uses apps.
ReplyDeleteAlthough an app would be easier, another way to get submissions would be to buy a $25/year Flickr Pro account, then people can MMS pics (from any phone) to your Flickr account. No camera/cables/downloading/uploading needed.
ReplyDeleteyou would be 1000% more likely to get submissions from me if I had an iPhone and left the house with any regularity. as it is, you only get pics of my groceries.
ReplyDeleteNo iPhone yet, but I love your blog and now that I know you want submissions, I'll keep an eye out.
ReplyDeleteI'm an artist/designer and am always amazed that I can't find a job, but all the people that make sh*t are out there and don't seem to have the same problem. Not that I'm complaining. If it weren't for sh*tty design, what would I have to look forward to and make fun of?
You need an option for "I do not have an iPhone"
ReplyDeleteBlackBerry app too? There are still more of us BB users than iPhone users. Appreciate it depends on the skill set of your volunteer developers.
ReplyDeleteI concur with Quiltilicious. If I had an iPhone I'd be all over an app like this, but as it is the cost effectiveness of my owning said gadget is not good enough to actually purchase one.
ReplyDeletePerhaps an alternative/additional way to gather new content might be to let people Tweet pictures in using TwitPic. That way people don't necessarily need an iPhone, just a web enabled phone. People could post something along the lines of:
ReplyDelete@prttyshtty http://twitpic.com/16pksb #prtty
I'd take (and actively use) an app for webOS. also that tweetpic idea is smart.
ReplyDeleteI am starved for more ways to play with my iPhone. Oh, the hours I could waste with an app for your blog! I would pay for the privledge.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of Socialight? I would suggest checking it out before dropping any major money on develpers. It seems like it would be the perfect set up for what you would need.
ReplyDelete