BlaBlaBud by Ekaterina Khavaeva

ASSIGNMENT 1 WEEK 11 BLABLABUD LLC BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Ekaterina Khavaeva

DMMA 503 FLEX Information Management & New Technologies in Design & Media Arts Professor Elias

Miami International University of Art and Design 12/19/2021

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Vision and Mission According to global statistics, half of the world's population is bilingual (Mathews, 2019). In 2020 the request for google translate was made 414M times, which put it in the sixth place globally in the google search engine (Voitsekhovskaia, 2021). At the same time, the global direct-to-consumer language learning market will double by 2025, reaching $115B, and be led by digital development (HolonIQ, 2021). Also, the global Pandemic has boosted internet usage, digital development, and the online education market (Crawford, 2021). Based on the data above, it is possible to conclude that the demand for online language learning is huge, but the market offers only education and does not social networking and practice. That is why people suffer from phenomena as the "language barrier." According to studies, one of the most effective ways to overcome a language barrier is to start a friendship with a native speaker (Perez, 2021).

Based on the research above, an idea of language learning platform Blablabud.com has appeared.

It is never possible to learn how to drive a car using only a book. A second language is the same.

The main idea is "use it or lose it." It is impossible to start speaking English by studying for an hour a week and doing tasks from a book; it will not work for live communication. The significant idea is to make English a part of a day. The goal is to use English for at least 10 min per day. No need to force a brain with rules or words. If a person repeats the same thing ten times, they will automatically write it down to the neural network.

The significant idea of the venture is to create a robust social online community, where a person can practice a second language, break the language barrier, meet new friends, travel around the world while sitting on your couch.

Business model

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The business model of Blablabud is freemium with online software-as-a-service.

Business is based on App and Website. Registration is free, but a subscription requires additional opportunities to participate in groups and find a friend in a particular country.

Products and services. Blablabud does not have tests, books, or homework, no self-education.

Blablabud has community leaders (CL is native speakers or bilingual speakers) and customers who want to practice a second language. The program is built on four major points: 1. Grammar. Customer and CL should pick a grammar topic for a week, for example, future tenses, and use these tenses maximum during the whole week. As soon as the customer becomes advanced in this topic, they move on with CL. 2. In touch. Daily simple conversations, how was the day, what plans, etc. In the form of SMS, audio, or video.

3. Media. They share pictures, videos, audio, motivating quotes, and other things that friends send to each other.

4. Events. Visiting the exhibition, café, parks, chatting with friends by video call. Online social life in the USA (as an example). It is necessary once a month to choose events and attend them together. For example, a beach, cafes, exhibitions, finding out how to buy a ticket, asking something, etc. Those ordinary everyday life situations that customers can face in another country.

There will be four levels of the subscription depending on the price: 1. Basic "WATCH." With an opportunity to enter theme groups.

2. Developed "WATCH+TALK." With an opportunity to gain friends, chat with them.

3. Medium "WATCH+TALK+STAY IN TOUCH." An opportunity to participate in online streams with community leaders; Get everyday quotes/videos etc.

ASSIGNMENT 1 WEEK 11 BLABLABUD LLC BUSINESS PROPOSAL

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4. Premium "WATCH+TALK+STAY IN TOUCH+TRAVEL." An opportunity to have personal online events with leaders.

Revenue model The subscription revenue model offers services that customers can pay for over a more extended period, usually month to month or even year to year.

Target audience 1.

Gen Zers 20-25 y.o female, lives in a developing country, undergrad, uses social

media a lot to explore the world and dreams about traveling.

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Millenials. 30-35 y.o female, postgrad, workaholic, travels, uses social media,

does not have time for classes with a teacher, but needs the knowledge.

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Baby Boomers. 60+, females and males, developed European countries, retired,

travel a lot, have much free time for self-education, and gaining new friends.

Market Analysis 1. DUOLINGO. Online self-education, no personal contact, no motivation, no travel experience.

2. LINGUATRIP. Group online education, or expensive traveling experience, no friendship in connection, relations teacher-student.

3. ITALKI. Online self-education promotes teachers, no personal contact, no motivation, and no travel experience.

4. TANDEM. Online self-education, personal contact is almost impossible, no motivation, no traveling experience, dead discussions.

5. BABBEL. Online self-education, no personal contact, no motivation, no traveling experience.

ASSIGNMENT 1 WEEK 11 BLABLABUD LLC BUSINESS PROPOSAL SWOT Analysis Strengths: creating a language environment, breaking a language barrier, motivation to chat with a friend, friend-to-friend connection, traveling, new friends, networking.

Weaknesses: a lack of community leaders and participants.

Opportunities: developing accounts in social media, gaining followers, building a community, taking a niche that no one has taken; connecting the world; allowing people to develop with motivation; helping people to travel and see that world.

Threats: with a lack of participants and leaders, the venture will drown because there are many influencers in social media.

Branding

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Website

Email marketing example Daily English Reminder

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ASSIGNMENT 1 WEEK 11 BLABLABUD LLC BUSINESS PROPOSAL Hi, First Last name! Your Blablabud is missing you, let's chat!

Remember that learning a language requires a little bit of practice every day.

Address You are receiving these emails because you are subscribed to Blablabud practice reminders.

Unsubscribe Implementation steps Step 1

Collaborating all assets as design, business plan, implementation, penetration steps etc.

Step 2

Launching accounts in social media as IG, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and start growing community there. This step does not require any investments.

Step 3

Working with an educational platform SkyEng.com for gaining customers.

Step 4

Launching a website and app and start testing is and then promoting through target audience.

Step 5

Attracting investments through kickstarter.com as an example, growing community and business.

Table 1.

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References

Crawford, B. (2021, February 16). The Internet: Overcoming Current Challenges To Increase Digital Transformation. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/02/17/the-internet-overcomingcurrent-challenges-to-increase-digital-transformation/?sh=13fa65981087 HolonIQ. (2021, May 11). $60B D2C language learning market to double by 2025, led by digital delivering 3X growth. –. https://www.holoniq.com/notes/60b-d2c-language-learningmarket-to-double-by-2025-led-by-digital-delivering-3x-growth/ Mathews, J. (2019, April 25). Half of the world is bilingual. What’s our problem? Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/half-the-world-is-bilingual-whatsour-problem/2019/04/24/1c2b0cc2-6625-11e9-a1b6-b29b90efa879_story.html Perez, O. C. (2021, September 16). 5 Simple Tips for Overcoming Language Barriers While Traveling. Go Overseas. https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/tips-overcoming-languagebarriers-while-traveling Voitsekhovskaia, V. (2021, November 8). Top Trending Google Searches. Semrush Blog. https://www.semrush.com/blog/most-searched-keywords-google/