In this article I share my findings when I interviewed business owners. Where were the difficulties, what could be improved in the future.
In my previous article I shared my experience as a new user to Vevue (see https://steemit.com/video/@uua22/vevue-contribution-a-short-review-of-a-new-user)
The fact that moved on with the tasks in Vevue’s task list shows that I really like the idea and I see a great potential for everyone participating.
When I read about Vevue’s business task for the first time I must honestly admit that ”I’ll skip this one” first came into my mind. Writing and uploading is one thing but interacting with real people to convince them to offer you some of their precious time is an entire different thing.
It took me quite some approaches to find someone who agreed to give an interview and to actively interact with a new app and to pin on a map.
The numerous calls I tried where all completely in vain. People thought I’m one of the unwanted phone marketing sellers who just want to steal their time.
So I just passed by at a non-peak time of the day and presented personally my request for an interview with a short description of the purpose. Quite a few times some owners didn’t realize the potential of having – in their case – free online marketing. (Remark: I’d offered the necessary 100 Vevue tokens for the requested 5 pins)
Finally after numerous trials I got my first appointment. The owner kindly gave me an interview where he explained his business and pointed out their specialties. However particularly at good restaurants the available time is sparse and so we agreed that I’m going to pin the 5 Vevues according to his suggestions.
Thomas from Vevue mentioned later that it is rather important that the owner himself pins and interacts with the app in order to get accustomed with the new technology.
So I decided to do it once again. Unfortunately currently there is a restriction that the app is only available for iOS and we agreed that if the owner has an Android device that I’m going to provide my hardware that the owner can pin.
This time my focus was not only on an interview but also on the interaction with the Vevue app. I quickly found out that this was again quite challenging because some would have agreed to an interview but not on the hands-on part.
For me it helped a lot to present the bare essentials in a few words and always pointing out that the people who would claim the pinned tokens are of course potential customers from all over the world who themselves will share their experience!
Finally I was quite excited to get an interview at one of the top local confectioners where the owner agreed to pin her first Vevue on her own!
According to my opinion Vevue however could improve the process as follows:
I.
Make the pins available outside of the Vevue app – best would be on Google or Bing Map! Many people are using Google maps or Google Earth to inform themselves prior to a visit. If they see something new – they get curious about the offered highlights e.g. from a restaurant or simply how to claim the suggested bounty if they are close by. So such online maps could be the best advertising for the Vevue app!
II.
Owners could find out that Vevue is really a great idea to spread their special offers or seasonal discounts to potential customers simply by placing a bounty. Most new customers would visit the described gallery or dine in the restaurant not just because of uploading to Vevue. Maybe Vevue could consider cooperation with the Geocaching and / or quite popular Pokemon society.
III.
The Vevue app could provide a best-of list based on user votings. For example what’s the top 10 Vevues for a requested region? Uploaded requested movies should not disappear but be available later on in a kind of archive mode.
IV.
A good old chat feature could connect users – potential customers and owners to directly ask about additional information. Besides this a general public chat room could offer the users to share their Vevue experiences.
Personally I see many potential new use cases for Vevue. They will increase once the 2 way-live video is available. (Online trainings, personal coaching etc.)
Links:
Interview Braugasthof (German only)
https://api.vevue.com/player/?videoid=8b66b1edd2a1964e219a0c4c3558b1b1::main
Interview Confectionary (German only)
https://api.vevue.com/player/?videoid=4cd104230a4f8d5858cdd7a43180b7f3::main