Question

Topic: Strategy

Strategy For Kids Language Learning Portal

Posted by Aaira on 10/20/2011 at 4:43 AM ET 500 Points
Launching a platform to teach kids, aged 1.5-6 yrs, language online. A hybrid of livemocha.com and starfall.com, features like conversation club/1-1 tutoring are being launched to start with.

This Language is a curicullar requirement in some Asian countries. Some expatriates are known to connect with it to retain cultural roots.

For gaining traction we would provide free access to the phonetic based flash site and worksheets, for a limited time.

Revenue would be from subscriptions from conversation club/tutoring module and selling mobile app.

Part proceeds from the site go to animal/water/earth conservation charities.

Grappling with below:

1. With free contents galore, is developing content recommended (although nothing exciting exists for this language yet)

2. What free/paid modules could be added

3. What tools could we provide to teaching comunity to make this a successful platform.

4. Not sure when to sell the mobile app. Before/After launching the site?

5. Have a few dozen email id's of interested parents. Considering to give them few invites, like google, to invite their friends to test drive the site. Is it too risky or any improvements to this?

6. Recorded an original song and considering inviting children/parents/siblings through schools to create poem/hum few lines, upload video on youtube and send link. On capturing their email id, the system would allow them to upload their link? Is this sensible?

7. Any other idea to make this venture a success.
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 10/20/2011 at 8:29 AM Accepted
    Since the core of your business is online conversation club/tutoring/mobile app, I'd start by seeing if there's a market/unmet need for this, and if people would be willing to pay sufficiently. As for what features would be attractive to prospects, ask your few dozen email ids for their help to be VIP charter members. Think of them as a focus group and/or a start of potential influencers in their community. Interview them - email and over the phone. Find out why they would use your services instead of the competition. What free modules would they be interested in, etc.
  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 10/23/2011 at 5:33 PM Accepted
    1. With free contents galore, is developing content recommended (although nothing exciting exists for this language yet)

    YES! Make your content packages small but better than the other free stuff. Bait free material by telling your audience "Here are ten things you can learn ..." then offer three of those ten things for free and offer the rest as a premium package offer.

    2. What free/paid modules could be added.

    SEE ABOVE.

    3. What tools could we provide to teaching comunity to make this a successful platform.

    VIDEO! The easier you make it for users to access your content the better. Video does this quickly and effectively.

    4. Not sure when to sell the mobile app. Before/After launching the site?

    BOTH.

    5. Have a few dozen email id's of interested parents. Considering to give them few invites, like google, to invite their friends to test drive the site. Is it too risky or any improvements to this?

    NO. Do it and then as those people that sign up to offer a sign up to other people by offering them the chance to win free lessons.

    6. Recorded an original song and considering inviting children/parents/siblings through schools to create poem/hum few lines, upload video on youtube and send link. On capturing their email id, the system would allow them to upload their link? Is this sensible? YES.

  • Posted on 10/31/2011 at 8:11 PM Accepted
    Are you marketing on Facebook? I think this would be an important first step.

    I think when the kids get an answer right or get past a level they should get badges like on FourSquare. Maybe instead of badges they get super hero characters from different countries or cultures.

    I think you should use viral marketing as well. This will help get the word out. The refer a friend is a great option as well.

    Best,
    Erica
    CoupSmart.com
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Strategy)