More on Spotlight and things to come..
By Devin Hayes
10 Jun 2009
What is Spotlight EXACTLY:
In the most simple terms, it's increased visibility.
What ELSE is Spotlight:
Spotlight is a community funded replacement for less relevant, barfy ads for weight loss and allergy medicine. The Spotlight system was also built as a "complimentary" feature to provide value and incentive for other planned features.
Why only 500 views:
It's a mathematical equation. How many photos can we stuff into the designated amount of spaces, given "x" amount of traffic, still manage to serve to term within "x" number of days. We started with a plan for 2,000 impressions, but understood that while we can give "more" than promised under various conditions, we can't give "less" than promised under any condition. The average amount of impressions is currently at 1718.26 (4.14 clicks.. this includes new Spotlights). Over the history of the program, it's a bit lower, due to recent tuning, at 1165.84 and 3.94 clicks (all full term Spotlight campaigns).
Complimentary?
Yes. A lot of the suggestions made when we fell down was to offer a Premium Membership package. What do we offer? A, B, C and maybe D. A is kinda cool, B is alright, C.. meh. D? dunno really. So, do we sell one kinda cool thing and say "Hey, we're gonna do more cool stuff and you'll have it when it becomes available." Or do we go ahead and build something out that could bring in some much needed dollahs that plugs into the Premium package and has potential to stand on it's own as a useful service instead of burning up 3 weeks building something that doesn't hold a lot of value? Well, that was an easy choice.
But! That still costs money!
I know! WHY does everything cost money?! First reason is, we're trying to run a business. Second reason isn't a reason :) Cash up front isn't always going to be the case. We have plans for ANOTHER feature where Spotlight credits will be awarded for participation and whatever various achievements we define (like 5 Spotlight credits for your first "Hot" photo, etc).
Spotlight is an unfair advantage!
No, talent is an unfair advantage :) .. People are using spotlight for various reasons, but primarily to drive more traffic to their work. Whether it's to solicit feedback to better themselves artistically or to grow their contact base. Does that imply any guarantee of hotness or publication? Absolutely not. It'd be cool if people weren't so "RAWR!" about it and tried to understand why someone is promoting their work as well as understand the service we're trying to provide. Not just to those with a dollar to spare, but eventually all the folk that make JPGville such an awesome little white picket community with a relatively low crime rate, good schools, scenic views and moderate traffic.
What?
JPG is made up of you. Lots of you's and few of us. Who actually masquerade as you's because we were you's before we were us. Anyway! we LOVE JPG. We LOVE photography. We LOVE the abstracts, the polaroids, the TTV's, the long exposures, the textures, urban and rural landscapes. Kittens, lawn gnomes and hummels? Yep. We LOVE them too. We love seeing through your camera. We love being part of your lives. We love what you did with that photo and we want you to share more. There are eleventy-kathousand different kinds of people here sharing one single common bond, an insatiable love for photography and the desire to share it, to LEEAAARRNN, to be inspired and maybe make a few good friends. If spotlight among the other features mentioned improve that experience from the new to the battle hardened old schoolers, then we're on our way to a better place. Fact of the matter is, if we don't chip in, help each other out, support each other and build the creative community we all desire, well then.. poop.
Magazine, Magazine, Hotness, Votes!
Yes, there's a magazine. It's AWESOME. But it only has so many pages, we can only fit so many pictures in those pages. We could fill three issues with just the top 5% of Color Theory right now. As the community continues to grow, the probability of being published decreases. While it's still the highest possible achievement, we're setting our sights on providing more opportunity to share, learn, grow and play at all levels within the community.. From the hummelrazzi to those up before sunrise, camera and coffee in hand. Spotlight might seem "tacky" at the moment, but I can assure you, it'll all come together and make sense in due time.
We're absolutely listening, but please, please understand that we are working with limited resources and have a list of to-do's that hurts my head to think about. So, please keep your comments short and concise, if you have suggestions we'd LOVE to hear them. I'll pop back now and then and update this post with answers to questions. Thanks all :)
6 responses
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Richard Seah gave props (10 Jun 2009):
GREAT post! Thanks Devin :-)
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Melissa gave props (10 Jun 2009):
I LOVE the Spotlight option. Spending a few dollars has gotten me a LOT more attention/favorites/feedback on my photos. It's hard to "stand out" with so many great photos being posted, so, to me, it's worth it to pay the dollar. It's a win situation for JPG and a win situation for me.
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Rey mos gave props (10 Jun 2009):
You have explained everything and I do agree with you! Well, we cant please everyone really.
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Ian X gave props (15 Jun 2009):
I think it's a fair feature. The company needs revenue, and there are worse ways to get it.
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J. Harris Blacklist said (20 Jun 2009):
It would be a nice bonus to those that are subscribers of the Glossy Mag were given some sort of bundle package!!! I went ahead and bought $20 bucks of spotlight, and I seem to like it, though it makes very little difference to comments and favs, it does give some exposure to the contacts I do not have.... Keep up the great work guys!!
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Devin Hayes said (24 Jun 2009):
@JHB: Thanks!! And that idea is one we plan to consider more when we get the print side back up. Checkout the new JPG+ deals too!
