proj-imim:
Changes in the Pano Biz.
Collin Turner 2000-May-23 15:20:43
Interesting comments on file size and what people will wait for when viewing
a pano. I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents I guess!
>You could give visitors the opportunity to select optimum window size when
> they get to your site...
That's what we do now. Of course, what we do is a bit different than what
the Real Estate industry wants. Most of our panos are shot outdoors
(http://www.amazingoutdoors.com & http://www.utahoutdoors.com) - when
you're talking landscapes and big, wide open spaces, people seem to like
higher resolution, bigger windows. We've done some work for TV, and those
are usually full screen 800x600 panos (using the Imove viewer...that's the
system we use to shoot these). It's amazing how many people email us asking
to make the full screen panos available for download!
It's a different story for Real Estate, however. I'm going to be sharply
critical here, since we did real estate for 2 years before we got out of
that unprofitable end of the buisness (http://www.virtualspacemovies.com) --
Agents and brokers want the world, but they don't want to pay for it. They
want high resolution, fully spherical panos, but they want them for $100
(Thanks IPIX--you morons!). They want their faces covering the tripod...but
don't want to pay for the luxury of advertising. They want complex
databases their assistants can update at will (so long as they don't have to
do it themselves). They want to be able to make appointments with short
notice, and then reserve the right to change those appointments at
will...and NOT pay re-scheduling fees! Is it any wonder we abandoned the
residential real estate business???
In my opinion, all of you who are doing residential real estate are probably
not making much money...I know we weren't. We even had the benefit of
controlling the web site for the largest MLS in the state of Utah!
(http://www.utahrealestate.com). Unfortunately, most of us were forced to
match prices with Bamboo and IPIX. Bamboo even went so far as to lower
prices for 4 panos to $49/property in Salt Lake just to get us out of the
market! It worked.
But, recently, a funny thing has happened...we've been getting calls from
residential real estate agents again. Suddenly they're willing to pay more
(not what they SHOULD be paying, but in the range of $150 - $200/property).
Why? Probably because they're sick of wasting money with IPIX and
RealEstate.com. They want people to actually see the houses! This is a
prime opportunity for all of you to take back the market. Use discussion
groups like this to actually form a loose union and determine, from everyone
elses experience, what the market is willing to pay, what they pay for and
how best to serve that market! Then go and start making money! Sure,
you'll lose some to IPIX, but for the most part you'll gain good, solid
paying clients.
Sorry, had to put that one forward...thanks for bearing with me! If anyone
wants to discuss this offline (since this topic isn't exactly what this mail
list is about) feel free to contact me at:
mailto:#removed#
If you deem this a worthy discussion for this group, then let's keep going!
But that isn't up to me, that's a decision for the moderators.
Thanks!
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Collin Turner
Interactive Media Producer
801.858.3450
(Mobile)801.509.7040
AmazingOutdoors.com / UtahOutdoors.com
6322 So. 3000 E. Suite G-50
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
(Fax)801.858.3451
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mailto:#removed#
http://www.utahoutdoors.com
http://www.virtualspacemovies.com
http://www.objectmovie.com