Translated from: 台灣：古典樂平台 Muzik Online 推出新版Android App 與更激進的全平台戰略

If you are a classical music fan or beginner, and when you google it, chances are you will spend more time in Muzik Online, ranked second, than Wikipedia pages that tops the list. Its Android app is recently updated on February 5th. Deputy Ken Hsu, already active online, claims to offer a more aggressive multi-screen strategy.

Muzik Online by MUZIK Creative Digital Ltd., with classical music publishers and IT professionals in Greater China region, aims to bridge music in the past and audience nowadays. Many people, urban and rural alike, are interested in classical music, but they need a convenient and cost-effective starting point. Their enthusiasm is also put out by lengthy and boring classical music literature. Muzik Online stands as a solution as the very first online classical music platform that integrates technology and social features for listeners at all levels to communicate.

Members can access more than 10,000 pieces of classical music available in the library, compile online playlists and share via website and mobile apps. I discuss with Ken Hsu about upcoming plans.

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How many app downloads have you got so far?

We have about 10,000 downloads for iOS, Android and Windows Phone each. In some ways it’s quite unusual to reach such a balance. About 2,000 users arrive via each platform per day.

How do you allocate human resources for simultaneous development and maintenance on multiple mobile platforms?

It’s difficult to maintain and develop on multiple platforms at the same time, mostly about UI design and OS updates. iOS7 is a major headache, but luckily our engineers speak at least two languages, if not more.

Regarding human resources, we have designated one engineer for each mobile platform, while our website has three engineers and art designers. Website engineers can also support mobile maintenance. We especially thank Microsoft Taiwan for their technical advices and supports, which are absent in other two platforms.

What’s new in your Android update?

We have a new landing page, so you won’t be confused. Radio Station, popular in website, is added, to replace Philharmonic Radio Taipei. It’s free to all members and no ads.

We’ve modified user interface elements and add notification bar to improve our Android experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uAZaSd0SV_I

Does it come from feedbacks?

We listen to comments by users on Google Play and website to meet underserved needs.

For users who leave constructive insights and contact details, we send them season or annual membership as appreciation. Their help makes Muzik Online a better product.

What’s your next step?

Soon we’ll launch more services, including smart TV applications, licensed music, ticketing, and e-commerce.

What’s your target this year for Muzik Online?

We work with Microsoft earlier this year on a promotional video with 45,000 views so far. This year we aim to increase members, currently more than 35,000. We hope to grow paid members from 3,000 to 30,000 before the end of 2014.

Any substantial plans?

Although we start online, our major events will be offline this year. It’s definitely beneficial to the public, but I can’t unveil them now.

It’s sure that we will start to buy ads. What we’ve achieved so far is based on very limited promotional budgets. We are confident to use them wisely and efficiently.

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Compared with many startups in Taiwan, Muzik Online is obviously with more supports from capital and investors. In such a niche market, thought, it needs unique approaches to attract users. We notice several effective main practices on MuzikOnline Facebook page, including:

1. Figures & Icons: Besides masters, there are plenty iconic musicians, conductors and instrumentalists, such as interview with Malaysian pianist Cathryn Lee receive quite a few positive feedbacks.

2. News & Comments: Examples include “Japan’s ‘Beethoven’ Admits Ghost Composers” or “College Students Donate 40 Ukuleles to Remote Villages“.

3. Knowledge: Classical music widely appears in various media, such as films, pop music and TV shows, but most people are unaware of them. It’s highly welcomed.

4. Recommendations from other social media figures: Such as recommendation playist from fitness social network iFit.

Besides paid membership, we’ll follow up on other potential business models, such as concert organization and ticketing (it only redirects to other ticketing systems so far). It’s already available in indie music, such as StreetVoice and IndieVox, and it’d be interesting to see how it goes for classical music.

Translated from: 台灣：古典樂平台 Muzik Online 推出新版Android App 與更激進的全平台戰略