Two friends turned business partners in Manchester have been working behind the scenes to launch an app that has it all: Classified. Soon to be available on Apple and Android, Classified. aims to empower content creators and skilled individuals to create content, inspire their subscribers and earn a living from their smartphones.
In early 2020 television producer Ryan Evans and ex-footballer Lee Hampson identified a clear gap in the market for an app that enables users of all backgrounds to create their own micro app. One where they can share content within one platform for subscribers to pay for as a service whilst operating a zero tolerance policy for abuse that other social media platforms are missing.
When the UK’s first lockdown hit, the average screen time soared by over 30%, with adults in the UK glued to their devices for more than 40% of the waking day.[1] This, coupled with a sudden rise in online creators and influencers turning to Zoom and Instagram Lives to host classes and tutorials only accelerated the tech start-up’s concept. With the likes of super apps such as Instagram and YouTube unable to provide a level of monetisation that was beneficial to creators plus the need to create different content to suit each platform, the gap in the market became ever clearer.
Fast forward to May 2021 after raising a successful first round of funding Evans and Hampson are soon to officially launch the native app to the market. The Manchester-based duo have already enticed an impressive line-up of celebrities, sport stars and global brands to sign up to be the first creators on the platform.
Managing director, Ryan Evans says “The idea for Classified. was born to empower creators and consumers. We recognised the struggles that users faced on other platforms such as online abuse, restrictive algorithms, the lack of meaningful interactions and creator’s inability to monetise content efficiently and we decided that we wanted to make a change.”
The premise of Classified. is simple: create, consume, inspire, and earn. The app offers two types of users: creators and subscribers. If users opt to become a subscriber, they must subscribe and pay the creator’s subscription fee. The subscription fee is the creator’s choice, with the minimum payment being two pounds and fifty pence per month.
Creators can upload a wide variety of content including photos; videos up to twenty minutes long; files and documents; polls and surveys and a unique ‘event’ feature which allows creators to link to external platforms such as Zoom for live classes. The range in formats has been developed specifically to ensure content creators and consumers need not rely on multiple platforms.
Another key benefit of Classified’s pay-to-view model is the fact that trolls are highly unlikely to use the platform as they would need to pay to have access to creators and fellow users. Founders Ryan and Lee have also stated they will be operating a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for online abuse in a bid to protect their users as much as possible, utilising safety processes far advanced in comparison to other platforms.
Director, Lee Hampson says “In the last thirteen months we have been living and breathing Classified. It has been our absolute priority to get this right. The tech-savvy generation of today has very high expectations when it comes to the various social media apps and platforms which is why we’ve been working closely with our developers to ensure the app’s user experience goes above and beyond.”
