Question

Topic: Strategy

Unbelievable Educational Resource

Posted by Anonymous on 2/6/2004 at 12:41 PM ET 250 Points
I have recently joined forces with another entrepreneur who developed an educational tool that uses artificial intelligence to provide students with comprehensive chapter outlines and practice tests for their specific textbooks. We also have a lecture note integration system that allows students to enter their lecture notes which are then formatted and included in the chapter practice tests. We are by far the most effective and efficient study tool available today, however, because we are the first of our kind, most people have no idea what we are talking about. How do we get past people having no idea what we are talking about and believe that our product is completely legitimate.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by ReadCopy on 2/6/2004 at 12:46 PM Accepted
    This is a good resource for you:
    https://www.joe.org/joe/1997october/a2.html

    WARNING: However, companies that depend upon innovators and early adopters take a big risk, because if their products don't catch on as "cool", or the benefits are not clear, the products won't sell and so they won't be able to generate income to improve the product for more widespread acceptance beyond that of the techno-nerds.
    There is also the risk that a competitor can lure potential early adopters away with announcements of similar products
  • Posted by Markitek on 2/6/2004 at 12:58 PM Member
    You answer your own question.

    People have no idea about what you're talking about because you're talking about your AI product--something that may make no sense to them.

    Make it easy for them to understand: tell them what problem you solve--they have a perfect idea about that. You help them study better so they get better grades: pretty simple . . . they'll understand that and couldn't care less if it is powered by AI or a three-legged hamster running backwards on a wheel.

    From there you can deal with your product specifics.
  • Posted by ReadCopy on 2/6/2004 at 1:01 PM Member
    Mmm, you can get to "sociable-geek" in some markets ... take mobile and HiFi's for eample, where seemingly normal people look for hi tech solutions and are keen to adopt them.

    All the examples of this happening tend to show that:

    1. There has to be a social benefit to the technology
    2. Relatively low cost
    3. In the case of mobile ... highly customisable

    You are probably OK with point 1, and maybe 2 ?
    I think you also need get the PR machine working and plenty of advertorials and case studies. All of which aims acceptance and take-up.
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 2/6/2004 at 1:07 PM Member
    I too am affiliated with an A.I. firm that has programs for student application.

    As a matter of fact, they already have their software in some of the local schools.

    I'm interested in the name of your client ( if appropriate for me to request)...they may be the same company!
  • Posted by ReadCopy on 2/6/2004 at 1:28 PM Member
    Do you own PR!

    The PR golden rules are:

    - What's the news
    - Which journalists will be interested
    - How to deliver it to them.

    NEWS:
    You have that with information about your product, trials, product launches etc

    WHICH JOURNOS:
    This will take the time, but worth while.
    Buy the relavant publications or find them online, note the Editors details or the editorial contact provided.

    Journalists get annoyed with people who take up their time but haven't bothered to read their publication. Make sure you understand the publication's readership, editorial focus, deadlines and sections.

    If you need publicity in general consumer press, you have a bigger job but the same principles apply. Don't use the shotgun approach by sending a copy of your release to everyone. Target individual journalists (or producers and researchers on TV and radio).

    DELIVER:

    Write your Press Release (https://www.prweb.com/pressreleasetips.php)
    Send it to your new contacts, many of them will not take them at first, but keep at it.
    Note: Make the first PR somethng about the formation of the partnership, make it a teaser release, promise the publications that its worth running for the product info you will release later.

    Never send a news release and then call and ask: "Did you get our release, are you going to use it?" Journalists find these calls very irritating.

    If your news is genuinely important and interesting, journalists will grab it and give it lots of coverage. If you consistently treat journalists with consideration and give them genuine newsworthy information you will build up valuable relationships.

    Good Luck :-)


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