Maybe this is obvious to everyone else, but it just dawned on me the other day as I've started seeing iPhone commercials on primetime TV.

This thing is super uuuuuuuuber cool.

The first time I see one in someone's hand, I'm going to want to check it out. "Hey, can I check that out? That is sooooooooooo cool!! Show me, show me, show me."


So it costs $500, plus what will probably amount to an outrageous monthly access charge to actually use the web goodies, plus Verizon is going to jack me for almost $200 to get out of my current contract. Add in taxes, some cool overpriced apple accessories (I'm not going to let the screen get scratched, right?)...

Let's just call it $1000 by the time it's all said and done including a few months of service.



But this is a HUGE marketing piece for a photographer. With my new found time I'm going to be doing a LOT more networking with new people - for weddings, kids, animals, and even some commercial ideas - that's a lot of people in a lot of new social scenes. I can shake a hand and say "yea, I'm a photographer" and who knows what that label will conjur up in their minds. "Another guy with a camera" - that's not likely to land me any business.

"Have you seen this new iPhone? Man this thing is nuts! Yea, it just came out last week. It does it all - music, pictures (ding ding), videos (read: "sweet slideshow example"), and you can even surf the web (just coincidence we're surfing to my website?)."

"Oh yea, I'm a photographer - but hey, check out this sweet phone!!"


Anyone reading between the lines on that? Wow! I don't think you could think up a more simple and cool way to put your product and brand under the nose of just about everyone you walk past. Better have some business cards ready.

Good photography sells itself and blows people away - only if they can see it, and unless you've got a wedding album in your back pocket when you overhear someone talking about a wedding, introducing yourself with just a business card won't likely get you very far.


So yea, it's an expense. A heavy one (that's a sick amount of money for a phone), plus the idea of paying Verizon $200 just to leave me alone makes me grumpy. But oh well. If it helps me break into new clients and new referral circles for all of my work - then a grand is well worth it.


It was originally my intention to wait until my Verizon contract was over next spring and the iPhone price dropped a bit, but now I've reconsidered. It won't be quite as new or quite as cool then. Next month I want everyone I meet to experience this thing up close and personal with MY brand, my logo, my product on the screen.

Sign me up.

Just went to Cingular today to see about it.. no one really knows much about it, but they said that the data additions are going to be like $40... crazy.. but I can't wait to see this phone for real.. it needs to come soon!

I will be camping outside of the local Apple store the night of the 28th to get one on the 29th. I'm betting there will be huge lines.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

So will they sell it at the Apple store or Cingular? I'd assume you'd get it at the Cingular store.

I probably won't buy one day one, but maybe the first week. I don't really think there will be such a demand for them at first. I doubt there will be lines around the block at every Apple store or anything.

I'd been digging for what calling plans will look like on this thing and looks like there's no info out yet, only that Cingular will announce the plans "very shortly before the release". There's even been wild speculation of free service for "new" customers. I'm just going to sit tight and see what happens. But honestly, I'd probably pay about anything for the service - as long as I get calls and data for under $100 a month, it's worth it to me. Still a sick amount, but I look at it as a marketing piece as stated. And I'm banking on it being "a little too expensive" for most people at first - that's the whole idea to be one of the few people showing the toy off when meeting people around town.

Any other ideas on its value purely as a marketing tool? A way to wave your brand under someone's nose while they check out the toy?

This is a simple matter of one guy trying to justify buying the next cool toy that costs way too much.

And yes, I plan on getting one, too. For the very same reasons!

I like the way you think, Kev! Business expense, yeah...that's the ticket.

I read that apple is planning on introducing an updated version next year to take advantage of the 3g data network that's still being built.

Very cool technology. I have friends at Apple and have been trying to work my Magic with them for months. It seems my magic is as good as DOUG HENNINGS at this point.

The phone will use ATT Wireless network (The phone company previously known as AT&T Wireless, formally known as Cingular).

Since it will also run OSX, you will be able to use T-mobile internet service or a similar service while at a hotspot. If you have a wireless network at home you will be able to use that and once the phone is out of range of the wifi, it will auto switch to the ATT Wireless edge network. ATT has been upgrading their networks to provide a faster connection speed as part of the agreement with Apple. Phones will be available at APPLE and Cingular stores, but not at outlets that sell Cingular services or Apple computers - as in BEST BUY.

The crazy part about it, is that the most any one store will get is 40 units to start. Even crazier there will be 3 million units available on the 29th.... That math doesn't add up...

Anyway, I'll get one. I've been running "Will shoot for iPhone" promos.

Any other information, you can go to http://www.appleinsider.com

-Bill

It reminds me what I read about Starbucks Marketing : post processing the last wedding at Starbucks with a very visible laptop...
I found the idea so cool I got a MacBook, but we have no Starbuck in France :-)
And my agenda is almost full already... next year maybe :-)

Anyway, I just fell in love with my MacBook and I'm sure it looks cool when meeting with potential clients...

The iPhone is in the same league : cool, sexy... something to stare at !

Greatings from France.
Chris

I've been waxing about the iPhone on my blog for a while now

Haha nice Kevin....I think you just talked me into buying it!

HAHA. well, i think it's certainly a fun justification for getting it! but i bet it's usefulness as a marketing tool will be short lived...and probably won't pay for itself.

but it'll still be hella cool!

You think so? Hmmmm.....

Maybe for weddings only it may not be the most effective, but I'm also getting into other areas of photography. I'm also living in a new area with lots of new people to meet, so I'll be out doing the social networking thing a lot in the next 6 months. I figure a kid session should net me at least $300 with print sales, plus I'll then get break into their circle of friends to possibly sell more child sessions.

In all that social networking if I pull just 3 or 4 photo shoots out of it, then it'll pay for itself, including the overhead of getting out of my current contract.

The main reason I consider this is I've just realized I've got several "ins" with a few large organizations full of very affluent people - almost all of which have small children or pure bread animals. It wouldn't be hard to get in the same room with them. I'm actually volenteering for a function tomorrow that will have a few of those people I'll be chatting with about other things anyway - if I could put my work under their nose, I'm almost certain I'd book a shoot or two. The best I can do is bring a portfolio book along with me, which isn't exactly low key.

As for lifespan of the "super cool" factor - I bet it'll last 6 to 9 months before iPhone is old news.

Just a guess.

It'll be interesting how it turns out and I'll let you know what happens.

Jillian,

Imagine this - - you are standing in line at the grocery store about to by some Lucky Charms to quench that Sunday morning childhood craving. A young woman and her mom get in line behind you. They talk about meeting with a wedding planner. You introduce yourself as a wedding photographer, pull out your iPhone and show them a SHOWIT web slideshow! Right there in line they say oh my god that is great. Oh the lady in front of you just dropped her watermelon and now you have even more time to talk.

You ask what date she is thinking. Her date is very popular and you say that you it will book very soon. She says - can we book you now?! You say sure, and pull up your contract on your iPhone, where they sign it digitally and then fill out an online form, providing you with a retainer.

You grab a Starbucks card and let the cashier ring that through. You then hand it over to your new client and say "Here's to our new relationship! Have a latte on me."

the end...

-bill

I enjoyed that story almost as much as I would a bowl of lucky charms-

With my luck it would be the only open cashier and I'd be standing in line behind both of you waiting with exact change in hand to buy a bag of Tostedos and a jar of Con Cesa dip.