With just under 50,000 downloads from the Google Play store and 18,000 active users, Omaha-based Spletter has been making some big strides.
Spletter, a platform that allows users to compose physical letters using a smartphone, has released their 13th update to the Google Play store. Besides basic bug fixes and improved and simplified UI, the updates include new features such as international address formatting and a library of the user’s past spletters.
“We’ve implemented many enhancements to the application based on feedback from our users,” said Timothy Campbell, founder of Spletter.
SPN first covered the startup in December of last year.
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According to Campbell, the product is continuing to be proven in all of their target markets including international users, active military, casual users, senior users and families of the incarcerated.
“The important thing to note is that the app has become an essential tool for current users to communicate,” said Campbell. “It’s become a necessity for people that still need to use physical communication.”
Physical communication in a digital world
The beginning stages of creating Spletter started when a friend of Campbell’s expressed the pains of sending physical a letter.
“We did some research and found that there wasn’t a current app that allowed a user to compose a letter with pictures from a smartphone,” said Campbell. “Then I started looking at the market to see if there was really a need for the technology.”
According to Campbell, there were over 400 billion letters sent around the world in 2013. He said that about half the world still doesn’t have internet access, so the idea of physical correspondence is extremely important for the users of the platform.
“This idea is in a very, very large market,” said Campbell. “Many people still rely on physical letters and pictures as their primary way of communicating.”
Spletter also has a reply feature, where recipients can manually reply to their spletter, and it is scanned and uploaded by Spletter to the original user’s account. Currently about 10 percent of users are using the reply feature, according to Campbell.
“Every outbound Spletter includes a return slip and envelope,” said Campbell. “That reply is sent to a PO box here in Omaha, and we scan it and upload it to the originator’s account, then send them a push notification so that they can read that reply. It’s a two-way communication function.”
Becoming a household name
Campbell said that 80 percent of current Spletter users are repeat users. When asked about the most interesting spletter that has been sent so far, Campbell said that he once had a new mother immediately send a spletter to her loved ones from the hospital announcing the birth of her child.
Campbell shared that one of the greatest moments for the business has been when users are using the word Spletter as a noun and a verb.
“It’s great because it indicates brand loyalty and recognition,” said Campbell. “I’m really proud that people that are using the platform have that affinity for it.”
Lessons learned
One of biggest things that Campbell learned was that no matter how hard one works on or tests something, the startup will learn way more by actually launching the product.
“Even though you think you’re making a great MVP, often times when you’re designing a product and it still doesn’t hit the mark,” said Campbell.
Campbell explained that he’s seen many users download the app and look through the short tutorial, but soon realize it’s not what they’re looking for.
“We’re learning about that type of behavior, but with so many apps on the Google Play store it’s been difficult to get noticed with a limited marketing budget,” said Campbell. “If people don’t use it, most users don’t take the time to leave valuable feedback unfortunately. ”
What’s next for Spletter
Campbell said that there are generally a number of needs for physical correspondence, and that he has numerous ideas on how to expand the platform.
“For example when we have international fulfillment center partners, we will be able to guarantee next day delivery for international letters at a domestic price,” said Campbell.
The Spletter team is also working on B2B applications for the platform where businesses could get fast correspondence from anywhere in the world at an affordable price.
“My big vision is to disintermediate overnight mail,” said Campbell.
Campbell added that he’s interested raising capital for the application and is currently proving the model.
“I would be interested in raising capital to amplify marketing and to create an iOS version of the app,” said Campbell.
If you’re interested in sending a Spletter, the prices are still the same since the startup launched. $1.99 for domestic letters and $2.99 for international letters, with additional costs for printing photos.
“If you look at what it takes to compose a letter, assembling and printing pictures, addressing it and then taking it to the post office, it’s hours and hours of work, and has a substantial cost, considering your time spent,” said Campbell. “Now you can grab your phone while you’re having coffee or lunch, compose a quick letter, include graphic elements, and choose your respondents in a matter of minutes.”
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Mel Lucks is a regional freelance journalist and former intern for Silicon Prairie News and AIM.
2 responses to “Spletter reaches nearly 50,000 downloads”
I understand the traction you are getting if spletter is used as a noun or verb. If spletter is used as a noun for your trade name – good. It can be a risky balancing act if you are encouraging adoption of your trademark as a new verb. Are you ok with genericide?
Is today April 1?