Assuming that any individuals that would be providing footage are licensed and insured in their jurisdiction, this is potentially a good business idea, but as others have pointed out, primarily for the creator of the DroneCaddyApp, not so much for the individuals who might consider shooting that content for the app and doing the actual work. Residual income or no residual income. As somebody who is familiar with the concept of residual income from copyright in the music composing business, I get THAT part of the idea. However, it needs to be enough residual income to justify doing the work. I personally don't want to be cashing $12 cheques (think Jerry Seinfeld's writer's cramp from signing cheques from the residuals for the Super Terrific Happy Hour) every 6 - 12 months from my residual income until the time that I might make $2000 or more that I could have made in a few days work.
I agree with TheEditor, 2-3 hours, as stated on your web site, is nowhere near long enough to do a proper golf course shoot. 2 - 3 days is more appropriate. ...and that's assuming you have good weather and you can shoot safely around the people who are actually playing golf and adding in the factors that Kevin Hancox so accurately pointed out.
What seems to be happening in this "business", and I think others will agree, is that competition is increasing rapidly, particularly as more and more "professional" UAVs come out at cheaper and cheaper prices. I like TheEditor's term "spotty hoodie" in reference to some of these individuals who may be out there offering their "services" after a visit to the local Radio Shack. I see individuals in my area offering 8 - 10 high rez photos for sale for $150, and if the buyer wants video he'll throw it in for free. That's not good money. It's also unlikely to be good product. However, I see the only way to make any reasonable money in this business is to produce high quality, value added content, using an additional skill set other than just getting good footage and shots. Obviously, editing, sound, music, etc. all fall into the "additional skill sets" category. Golf courses are a potential avenue for good creative content but I would prefer to see them open to individuals who are able to offer creative ideas and deliver on them. The idea that all golf courses might now fall under the umbrella of ONE app, sucks big time because it saps that potential revenue avenue from those of us that want to provide more than just photos and raw unedited video footage.
I have approached a couple of courses in my local area and they have given me permission to work on the property and I've done a couple of test shots to work on my idea for them. If this DroneCaddyApp were to then be the drone delivery medium of choice for these golf courses then there goes my potential income from those golf courses.
The whole thing sort of smacks of Golf Course/Drone Video monopoly. Again, good for DroneCaddyApp, not so much for others.
I'm going through the process of writing a proper business plan for my business. I have to prove some degree of financial viability to make it an actual business. You know, like have an ongoing revenue stream from actual jobs. So I agree with Kirk Voclain and others here. We have to make REAL MONEY or what's the point?
+1 on Mobitee which already has over 37,000 golf courses although it appears that they're using Google satellite imagery rather than UAV footage, Carlsberg, please correct me if I'm wrong.
In conclusion DroneCaddyApp, can you provide some alternative payment structures for those pilots who might be willing to consider this idea that provides a source of income approximately equivalent in a reasonable time frame to what commercial pilots might otherwise make from a golf course shoot? From feedback on this one thread alone that could be anywhere from $2000 to $5000 and should be.
