Do we need video classifieds?
By Vivek | May 23rd, 2007 at 10:40 pm ET
iMoondo is trying out a another scenario for videos - classifieds. iMoondo’s value addition point is the fact that you can make your classifieds more interactive via video. One of the use case given by iMoondo - buyer can take a virtual test drive without ever leaving his home. Sounds like a plan, since the seller would anyway be taking photographs.
But in some respect, this idea might be early for the times. The reason being that an entirely new way of creating and distributing classifieds can only succeed if people are frustrated with the existing options. That does not seem to be the case with majority of users using Craigslist or Oodle or vFlyer or one of the likes. Interface for few of them might suck, but who cares till the supply-demand cycle works efficiently and stuff is bought/sold without paying a dime to the middleman. Also what holds back the existing players to go for video integration?
Links:
iMoondo
on May 24th, 2007 at 8:09 am
My first reaction was “what a dumb idea…”, but then it dawned on me that this would be a great way to prove an item is working as advertised. It may work even as a supplement to other classifieds.
However, the number of people who can figure out how to record video and get it online is similiar to the number of ppl who could get photos online in the late 90s.
on May 24th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I think it’s a natural progression for classified ads to move to video. Users have no problem recording and uploading video onto YouTube, so it shouldn’t be any different on iMoondo. What better way to see something for what it truly is than on video.
on May 24th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Karen,
I am pretty definite about one thing - number of people uploading videos might be a fraction of those uploading photos. The reasons can be quite a few. Few of those come to my mind right now - 1. users cannot easily take out parts from a video that they don’t like while in photos you just have a Go-NoGo type decision. 2. Quality of videos created via mobile phones is not that great as of now. 3. Single step uploading of videos from mobile phones without the user having to wait around can do the final trick. Something like Comvu Pocketcaster, but for everyone, would make the difference.
on May 24th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I think you guys all have some good points. Everyone knows video is gaining with terrific speed as a preferred medium on the web, but it’s still not exactly “easy” for Average Joe to just casually post one. I just have to admire iMoondo’s brass for trying to secure a position in that market so early on. What I think will win these guys the big points right now is all the funky shops/bars they have listed with videos.
on May 26th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I love this site, these guys have a great idea. There are a number of studies out there that reflect a growing trend for people to know how to post videos online. I think in a years time I would not suprise me if these guys became a household name.
on May 26th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
I don’t think anyone creating a video classified video is going to use a cell phone to shoot it, that is just not going to happen, and editing video is quite easy no a days. Windows Movie Maker comes with most recent window run computers, and apple comes with imovie. The process of shooting and editing video is getting more user friendly. I think this is going to be huge. Nice work imoondo.
on May 31st, 2007 at 1:18 pm
[…] StandoutJobs: Garage Ventures seems to have a thing for job sites. MapleLeaf2.0 is reporting that GV has invested in the Series A round for Canada based startup - StandoutJobs. StandoutJobs has raised total of $1.5 million in it’s initial round. Not much details are available about StandoutJobs except for that it will be a video job classifieds platform. Somehow video classifieds seems to be en vogue. iMoondo is another startup trying to videofy classifieds. GV is also an investor in job search site SimplyHired. […]
on June 5th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Actually, there’s another video classified site out there with far-reaching implications for the regular Internet user: RealPeopleRealStuff.com. The model is quite different from iMoondo.com, which is only in Boston and doesn’t allow users to upload their own videos. Moreoever, the folks behind iMoondo.com shoot and edit all the videos themselves — a time-consuming process.
Posting one’s own video at RealPeopleRealStuff.com is fast, easy, and free.
In terms of whether or not people will post their own videos, well, they’re already doing it at YouTube and tons of other video sites. Why not sell something while you’re at it? Check it out!
on June 5th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
[…] Rachel: Actually, there’s another video classified site out there with far-reaching implications for the… […]
on June 7th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Hi Rachel,
actually by this weekend we will be going national and users will be able to upload videos on their own. One month from now we also plan on establishing a global presence. Video Classifieds are here to stay and we plan on leading the way.
John Florez
President and Founder at imoondo
on August 10th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Hey everyone…cool sites, and I think it will take some time to catch on with the video, but it does make sense. there’s also another site out there that just launched video classifieds…Listasaurus.com…you can upload your own video, and even better…you get paid to do it!
they pay you just for listing your classifieds, whether it’s got a video or just a photo. one thing I like about their model is you’re not forced to include a video, you have a choice.
anyway pretty cool stuff, what did we ever do before the Internet??
:-)
on August 18th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
You can also post video classifieds at PennySaver TV http://PennySaverTV.com
on July 7th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
As everyone knows by now, video is very exciting. I think in the next few years people will discover that video is appropriate for certain areas of the consumer market, right now it seems like everyone wants to use video for everything. I think the small business arena will benefit the most from video which is pretty much the thesis behind Jippidy.com