Driving User Growth & Community Engagement

The goal of this project is to increase awareness, engagement, and adoption of iCommute’s pilot program. Students will design and execute marketing initiatives, both online and offline, to drive sign-ups and create a strong community around the platform.

Project Management / Marketing / Grant Research for iCommute (Multiple Positions)

These roles will support iCommute’s internal operations , coordinate the sales outreach team, develop targeted marketing content, and research potential grants or funding opportunities. By combining these three focus areas, learners will help streamline day-to-day tasks, boost brand initiatives, and identify new funding sources critical to iCommute’s growth.

Enterprise Sales Outreach for iCommute

The main objective of this project is to support iCommute in its enterprise sales efforts by identifying potential customers, conducting targeted outreach, and qualifying leads. Students will engage in activities such as prospecting, cold calling, emailing, and LinkedIn messaging to connect with decision-makers at prospective client organizations. The ultimate goal is to schedule meetings with qualified prospects, enabling the iCommute team to present and discuss paid pilot opportunities.

Enterprise Sales Outreach for iCommute

The primary objective of this project is to support iCommute in its enterprise sales efforts by identifying potential customers, conducting targeted outreach, and qualifying leads. As a Sales Outreach Intern, you will engage in activities such as prospecting, cold calling, emailing, and LinkedIn messaging to connect with decision-makers at prospective client organizations. The ultimate goal is to schedule meetings with qualified prospects, enabling the iCommute team to present and discuss paid pilot opportunities .

Graphic Design for Enhancing iCommute's App Store and Google Play Store Previews

The goal of this project is to enhance iCommute's visibility and user engagement on both the App Store and Google Play Store. This involves designing professional, visually appealing app preview assets, including screenshots and compelling text overlays, and optionally creating a video preview that effectively showcases the app’s key features and value proposition to potential users.

University and Corporate Partnership Outreach Lead for iCommute

Phase 1: Manual Outreach Objective: To understand the messaging, identify key decision-makers, and refine outreach approaches. Secure initial partnerships by focusing on personalized engagement. Step 1: Research and List Building (15 Hours) Define Ideal Client Profile (ICP): Companies with a large workforce that commutes daily. Organizations focused on sustainability initiatives or looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Universities and educational institutions with a focus on campus sustainability. Identify Key Decision-Makers: Look for roles such as HR Heads, Sustainability Officers, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Managers, and Operations Directors. Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator to build a list of contacts. Create a Contact Database: Compile company names, decision-maker names, roles, LinkedIn profiles, and emails in a CRM or spreadsheet. Aim to build a list of 100 companies, ensuring a mix of sizes and industries. Step 2: Personalized Outreach (25 Hours) Craft Personalized Messages: Use a template that emphasizes how your carpooling app can help the company achieve sustainability goals, reduce parking congestion, and offer an employee benefit. Highlight success stories or use cases if available. LinkedIn Outreach: Connect with decision-makers on LinkedIn with a personalized message. Mention their sustainability efforts or company initiatives where relevant. Follow up after 2-3 days if there's no response, reiterating the value proposition briefly. Cold Email Outreach: Send emails to prospects not active on LinkedIn. Make them concise, value-driven, and ensure a clear call-to-action (e.g., scheduling a quick call or demo). Personalize emails by referencing any relevant company initiatives or pain points. Measure and Adjust: Track open rates, response rates, and conversion rates. Adjust messaging based on feedback. Phase 2: Automating Outreach (15 - 20 hours) Objective: Streamline and scale outreach efforts, aiming to reach 30 companies daily. Maintain the personalization aspect while increasing volume.

Social Media Marketing

Objective: Increase iCommute app sign-ups among post secondary students by developing and implementing a social media strategy. Key Platforms: Instagram and Email. Instagram Strategy: Post 5-7 times per week, focusing on the app's benefits, user experiences, and sustainable commuting. Daily stories for engagement (polls, Q&A, quizzes). Use campus-relevant hashtags and collaborate with student influencers. Develop Instagram reels as part of the social media strategy Email Strategy: Reach out to university personnel for support in sharing iCommute info. Highlight iCommute's benefits for students and the campus community. KPIs: Track sign-ups, engagement rates on Instagram, and email response rates. Main Project Objective: The primary objective is to increase the number of students signing up for the iCommute carpooling app, effectively addressing the need for sustainable and convenient transportation options within the student community. Expected Outcome: By the end of this project, we aim to have significantly boosted the user base of iCommute among students, demonstrating enhanced awareness and engagement with the app, as well as contributing to a more sustainable commuting culture on campus.

New Market Entry Legality Assessment

The primary goal of this project is to conduct thorough legality assessments for entering new markets with your carpooling startup. This involves understanding and complying with the legal and regulatory frameworks specific to each new market you plan to expand into.

Digital Marketing

Pre-Launch Strategy for Increased User Signups 1. Identify Key Stakeholders and Influencers University Administration: Collaborate with the university’s sustainability office, student affairs, and transportation departments. Integrate the app into existing campus initiatives. Student Organizations: Partner with student groups, environmental clubs, and campus influencers to spread the word. Faculty and Staff: Engage faculty and staff by highlighting the app as a convenient, cost-effective transportation solution. 2. Develop a Compelling Pre-Launch Campaign Teaser Campaign: Launch a series of teasers on social media, campus bulletin boards, and email newsletters. Use eye-catching visuals and taglines emphasizing carpooling benefits (e.g., saving money, reducing carbon footprints, building community). Landing Page with Signup Incentives: Create a pre-launch landing page where users can sign up to be notified when the app goes live. Offer incentives like early access, discounts, or a chance to win gift cards for the first 100 signups. 3. Leverage Social Proof and Testimonials Early Adopters: Recruit a small group of students, staff, or faculty to beta test the app. Use their positive experiences as testimonials in your marketing materials. Influencer Endorsements: Collaborate with popular student influencers or campus organizations to endorse the app. 4. Run Targeted Digital Marketing Campaigns Social Media Ads: Run targeted ads on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, focusing on students and university demographics. Use video ads that showcase the ease of use and benefits of the app. Campus-Specific Hashtags: Create and promote a unique hashtag related to your launch. Encourage users to share their commuting stories or anticipation for the app using the hashtag. 5. Host Campus Events and Promotions Launch Event: Organize a virtual or in-person launch event with giveaways, a demo of the app, and a Q&A session. Partner with the university to host it in a prominent location or on a popular campus platform. Referral Program: Introduce a referral program where users earn rewards for bringing friends on board, such as discounts, free rides, or entries into a prize draw. 6. Utilize Email Marketing Pre-Launch Countdown: Send a series of emails counting down to the launch, each highlighting different features or benefits of the app. Segmented Lists: Use segmented email lists to target specific groups (e.g., students, faculty, staff) with tailored messaging. 7. Offer Exclusive Early Access VIP Signup: Create an exclusive early access group that gets to use the app before the official launch. Market this as a limited-time offer to build urgency and encourage signups. Feedback Loop: Use this group to gather feedback and make last-minute improvements before the full launch. 8. Engage with University Media Campus Newspaper and Radio: Secure features in the university newspaper, on the radio, and in online publications. Offer interviews or press releases highlighting the app's benefits and its potential impact on campus life. Student Blogs: Partner with student bloggers or vloggers to create content around the app (e.g., how-to guides, user experiences, or tips for carpooling). 9. Create a Sense of Community User-Generated Content: Encourage users to share their carpool experiences on social media, creating a sense of community among users. Sustainability Messaging: Emphasize the environmental benefits of using the app and position it as part of a broader campus sustainability initiative. 10. Monitor and Adjust Analytics Tracking: Set up tracking to monitor the effectiveness of your campaigns and adjust as needed. Focus on which channels and messages are driving the most signups. Feedback Channels: Keep communication lines open with early users to gather feedback and make improvements before the official launch.