22A – Elevator Pitch No. 3

https://youtu.be/Jj4d8dRHwbE

For the third elevator pitch, I changed the device I was recording it on. The feedback I received on the most recent pitch was all positive, so I decided to focus on improving the sound quality, as the initial feedback was about the volume being too low. Obviously this wouldn't be an issue in the real world, as my microphone would not be a consideration while giving an in-person elevator pitch, but I figured increasing my speaking volume would make this pitch feel a bit more authentic to the online viewer. I also changed my tone of voice a bit to be more animated in certain places and less in others. I feel that this change makes me seem less cartoon-y, while still appearing passionate and motivated.

21A – Reading Reflection No. 2

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

To make people want to buy your product or service and remain loyal to you and your company, it is vital to learn how to use social media to form meaningful connections with your audience. 

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

This book connected and enhanced what I am learning in this class because it explained social media marketing in terms of forming meaningful connections. It taught me how to attract my target audience by using social media as a tool and optimizing usage. These tips help make a vague, but working formula of using digital platforms to get attention on you or your product/service.

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

I would have the exercise involve creating a social media account for anything and attempting to gain a following on it to practice using the tips in the book. This could be an Instagram for a pet or a fan account on Twitter. I would suggest having students try out a few of the guidelines and see what happens.

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

I felt the biggest surprise for me was that it was claimed that in order to use social media properly, you have to piss off a few people. To me, that seems wrong. I’m not an advocate of shock comedy or “clapbacks,” so I feel this is too strong a claim. This differs from my expectations because I always was a firm believer that online entertainment and attention can avoid bold, upsetting claims. I still do believe that this can be useful for some, but not for others.

20A – Growing Your Social Capital

1)
The first expert in my industry was a Harvard professor that is knowledgeable about technology and entertainment law. He is a professor and runs a clinic to help artists get solid record deals and proper legal representation. I would call him an expert in my industry because he knows a lot about the legal feasibility of making my product. I found him through a family member and contacted him via email. We exchanged information and discussed my goals with my app and how they can actually happen and I gave feedback on his program. Having him in my network can help me tackle legal barriers to entry in this market.

2)
The second expert on my market is the founder of an app that targets a similar base. This app owner was the former manager of Rick Ross and other well known celebrities. We met at an event through a mutual friend and exchanged information. I helped him with giving advice on marketing, as I don't believe he was taking full advantage of the opportunities he had, and he helped me with understanding the process for obtaining funding. Having him in my network will be useful as questions arise about investors and for potentially connecting me with investors.

3)
The final person I met was the hardest one to find, but I got in contact with a woman from South America who worked with the App Store in Apple. Though she no longer works there, my father helped connect us so I can gain insight and advice from her. She insisted that I provide nothing in return and she is happy to help as her and my father are good friends. Having her in my network can help me once I finish developing my app and want it released.

This experience certainly made me more confident when connecting with people who don't know me or will not benefit from helping me. This experience has not totally differed from my past networking experiences, but the first and third individuals listed where ones I contacted virtually, while I typically network face-to-face.

19A – Idea Napkin No. 2

I am a college student studying business and economics. I love to write music and organize things. I’m a good leader and am very creative. I aspire to be a creator, whether in entertainment content, contracts as a lawyer, or an entrepreneur. 

I see UNIMEET as a way for college students to connect with people, customizing what they are looking for. UNIMEET can be professional, or social. The app can serve as a university-style LinkedIn, helping students get connections or get involved in clubs or opportunities around campus. It also can help freshman, transfer students, or people seeking new friendships to meet people outside their typical circle. 

My customers are likely more female than male. They are on the lonelier side and have the common goal of making a connection with someone (pun intended). This app matters to them because it can make them find friends and feel less alone in a large college campus. You can’t put a price tag on friendship. 

What sets me apart from others is my experience with social media and dating apps. I’ve worked as a social media manger, so I understand the human patterns that develop from instant gratification and the desire that stems from dating apps to be seen as initially as a game or pastime. I met my boyfriend from a dating app that I swore I would only use to swipe on when bored, so I truly have faith in applications for connection. 

The elements that make up who I am and what I can do, as well as what this app is, what it can do and who it can do it for, together form what I believe is a potentially successful business concept. My background and personal experience as a dating app user and college student makes me aware of what the customer would want and have the desire to learn more and continue developing to make this app a success for those seeking a friend. 

Though I expected a lot more negative feedback, the four comments on my Idea Napkin original post were are positive. I still do feel like this app has serious potential and I anticipate on formally developing it while completing the MSE combined degree here at UF. The main points I took away from my feedback are that this is indeed something that should be targeted mainly to women in college and that this app can and should use Facebook as an example for its starting point. 

17A – Elevator Pitch No. 2

https://youtu.be/rqXIWDRL6CE

I changed my elevator pitch based off of the feedback. I did not receive any feedback that I believed was wrong or silly, other than the volume being a bit low, which obviously would not be a problem if I were to do this pitch in person because, ideally, it would be in person and not require a microphone. I added an extra two sentences to my pitch because according to the feedback I received, it was important to express the ease of using my app. To do this, I highlighted that it is free and also solves a problem by using a device that the target market already spends a lot of time on. I tried to make my pitch a bit louder, as it was harder to hear my last one because my microphone is a bit messed up.

18A – Create a Customer Avatar

My typical customer is 17-20. Intellectually, they are well above their years, but socially they fall short. They like to stay indoors, and can probably be found playing video games, writing, binging YouTubers and Netflix series, or reading. The likely watch Friends and Big Bang Theory. Their favorite actress is Drew Barrymore. Their favorite book series is Harry Potter. They like Bernie Sanders for his boldness, but admire Michelle Obama and wish she had been president. They love music and listen mainly to rappers and hard rock.

I share many things in common with my customer, such as watching YouTubers, staying indoors, and loving Harry Potter. The similarities exist because I created the solution to this problem that I was facing, realizing there are others like myself who likely have this problem.