Table of Contents
Executive Summary
3
Business Description
4
Industry and Market Analysis
6
Competitive Analysis
8
Marketing Strategy
11
Operations
19
Human Resource Requirements
21
Financials
23
Sources
26
Executive Summary
Air Light Studio is a U.S.-based social media platform that will connect users’ ideas and experiences. Social media is a tool for millions of people around the world. With a mission to create a product that empowers customers to share and express their ideas through video and content creation. Air Light studio will be formed as a limited liability corporation (LLC) Under one owner. An LLC will provide the company liability protection and easy transfer of ownership. The target market for social media is extensive. According to the Census Bureau, 92% of American households own a computing device. Furthermore, Air Light will face competitors to gain a share. Companies like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube have a large market share. Air Light’s plan is to offer a unique video-sharing platform that can curate fans and creators to come together. Air Light generates revenue from in-app purchases and subscription services. Currently, the application is free to download. This sales approach is to provide a platform that is accessible to millions of users. In addition, businesses can promote their brand on the app through shared revenue. The company will hire two senior-level software engineers. The calculated monthly expense of the company will be $18,850. The company is projected to reach 50,000 monthly users. Assuming only 5000 users pay for premium services for $4.95 Air light is expected to reach $24,750/month in sales. Subtracting operating expenses at $18,850 for advertisements and wages Air Light will profit $5,900 monthly. Air Light will be a successful application for its user-driven focus. Air light will establish an experience for users to find entertainment and trending videos throughout America.
Business Description
Social Media is critical for businesses and individuals alike. The market for content creators and customers looking for entertainment is at a historical high. Today Social Media is used to promote an individual’s personal brand. Air Light is a social network that aims to engage, entertain, and express through video. Air light will be available to download for the United States region. Air light will improve how individuals connect and share ideas for generations to come.
Mission Statement - Air Light’s mission is to create a product that empowers customers to share and express their ideas through video and content creation.
Vision Statement - Air Light’s vision is to improve the user experience every step of the way and serve users a platform.
Legal Form - The legal setup of this business is to be formed through a Limited Liability Company. There will be an owner and members. An LLC will offer Air Light liability protection and tax benefits. As the business expands, there are plans to merge into a C-Corp.
Industry Analysis
Industry History - This industry analysis will aid in research In the social media sector. This is a mobile application in the technology industry that aims to create a social media platform.
Social networking first began as a way to connect with others. In the early 2000s, before it went mainstream the first social media platforms were Friendsters, Myspace, and Facebook. Each platform expanded on its ideas and fueled the growth for future networking sites.
Growth rate of industry/Industry Size
In 2005 less than 5% of Americans used social media platforms. Today, social media users in America have risen to 72% in 2021. Technology is a growing industry, and more people have access to computing devices. For many users, social media is an opportunity to expand their brand or connect with others. Recently, Congress introduced The Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2021 which gives users the right to keep their information private on platforms. This will protect user privacy and increase personal rights to share what is on social media. There is an increase in businesses using social media to grow sales and brand loyalty to customers.
Source: (Social Media Fact Sheet http://www.pewresearch.org, 7 April 2021).
Competitive Analysis
In the United States, there are dozens of social media applications. To name a few: Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook share video content to users. These companies are well-received on the App Store/Google Play. For instance, YouTube is the largest video hosting site. YouTube offers a premium subscription to users at $11.99. YouTube’s Ad system uses a CPM to take a share from creators and promotional ads.
These companies are succeeding because of their market size. A large user pool promotes appeal and revenue. The more original content is shared, the greater the audience. The one thing that these companies have an advantage in is their scale. These companies have established a foundation and have amassed millions of users and bring in more profit.
Marketing Strategies
It is imperative to have a social media presence to reach customers in 2021. Some marketing strategies used to reach users include viral trends, consumer engagement, search engine optimization, influencer marketing, and building communities. Brand promotions are on the rise with personalized ads reaching users. Social media allows companies to create a community with consumers. According to Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans say they ever use the video-sharing site, up 73% in 2019. The current economic climate for media is rapidly growing around the world. Social media will provide businesses and individuals to expand their presence for years to come.
Source: (Social Media Use in 2021, http://www.pewresearchcenter.org, April 2021).
Products/Services
Air Light will be free to download. Air Light offers several types of paid services, including premium subscriptions, promotional ads, Air Light+, and support a creator. Additional services are expected to come in software updates as the company expands.
Pricing
Air Light will be a free product available to download in the App Store and Google Play. Air Light is only available to download on mobile phones and will soon be open to the web.
Advertisements will have a shared revenue. Advertisements will be sold at $10 per CPM (cost per 1000 views). In addition At $4.95 Air Light + offers ad-free service and membership benefits. Air Light+ will include exclusive features tailored to enhance user experience.
Product/Service
Price
Air Light Application
$0.00
Air Light+
$4.95 a month
Advertisements
$10 per 1000 views
Target Market
The target market for content creators in the United States, urban areas. The business has chosen these people, ranging from 18 to 29 because they are most present on social media platforms during their downtime. People in this market range are more likely to own a smartphone. It is imperative to have a social media presence in 2021 to connect and seek business opportunities, therefore, Air Light offers a platform for users to gain a following and promote their brand.
This product is based in North America. Potential customers live in urban areas because they are more likely to access the internet and have a social media presence. 81% of Americans say they have used video-sharing applications according to the Pew Research Center.
Market Potential
The demographic for this product targets men and women between the ages of 18 and 29 because people in this range are most active on their social media networks in the United States. According to Pew Research Center, 96% of men and women in this age group have smartphones. This application aims to be free in the App Store and Google Play for users to download with in-app purchases. This price range will target users in any income range.
Source: (Social Media Fact Sheet http://www.pewresearch.org, 7 April 2021).
The estimated size of urban communities in the United States is 308,745,538 as of 2010. Urban residents are more likely to use technology. According to the Census Bureau among all households in 2018, 92% had at least one computing device and 85% of the population had access to the internet. The market potential for this product can reach millions of people in U.S. households once executed correctly.
Promotion
Air Light will run many promotions to find users. Air Light will effectively use the free Search Engine Optimization( SEO) to rank high on search engines. Air Light will create content on other social media platforms to gain a following. This includes: Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, and Instagram to promote the brand. In addition, Air Light will run ads on these platforms. Furthermore, Air Light will attract high-profile influencers/celebrities to bring a community together.
Place/Distribution
There is no specific place Air Light will do business. Its headquarters is based in Denver and the company will provide service to users across the nation digitally.
Competitive Analysis
In the United States, there are dozens of social media applications. To name a few: Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook share video content to users. These companies are well-received on the App Store/Google Play. For instance, YouTube is the largest video hosting site. YouTube offers a premium subscription to users at $11.99. YouTube’s Ad system uses a CPM to take a share from creators and promotional ads.
These companies are succeeding because of their market size. A large user pool promotes appeal and revenue. The more original content is shared, the greater the audience. The one thing that these companies have an advantage in is their scale. These companies have established a foundation and have amassed millions of users and bring in more profit.
Operations
Hours of Operation for HQ
Mon: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Tues: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Wed: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Thu: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Fri: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat: 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Sun: 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Air-Light will operate 24 hours a day unless it is under maintenance. Software Engineers are expected to work 40 hour weeks with paid overtime. Their shifts begin at 9 am and end at 5 pm Monday through Friday.
The company will continue to hire more engineers for complex problems. As of now, two engineers will write the code and debug the platform. The owner will be available from 5-11 pm to finish any code or receive emails.
Faculty Layout
The main office is a rented studio. It is a 1000 sq. ft. single floor room that has two working stations. Air Light will do business here starting off and expand as needed.
Source: Roomsketcher.com
Human Resource Department
The company would need to supply workers with a powerful computer that will run Python and Java. The owner will need to purchase a computer with a minimum requirement of an Intel i7, 16GB ram, and 2TB of storage. A great computing device for software developers is the Apple Macbook Pro.
Faculty Type
The owner will work on the project at home and in the office. The owner will also need to meet with the two engineers on a weekly basis to discuss any problems. Engineers can work remotely if weather conditions are harsh.
Product Process
To begin working on a product the company will brainstorm current issues with social media applications and work to improve them. Air Light’s design process for delivering the product to the user is attached below.
Human Resource Requirements
Air Light will recruit talented members through internship opportunities for college students with a computer science background. In addition, Air Light will recruit employees through job platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn to grow its outreach. The owner will review the job application, screening, and ultimately the hiring decision. The owner is taking a salary of $0. For tax and personal investment reasons.
Job Position
Software Engineer
Job Description
We are hiring software engineers in the Denver Metro area!
REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field. Must have a problem-solving approach. Must work in teams to execute tasks. Must have strong technical skills in Java, Python, C#, SQL.
Hourly pay: $35 an hour with stock options.
Responsibilities Include:
Designing and Testing software.
Troubleshooting bugs.
Building applications to run on servers.
Communicate effectively with other team members to work on API.
Improve efficiency on the product by applying technical skills to problem solves issues.
Financial
Air Light will hire two software engineers with a starting hourly rate of $35 for a 40-hour workweek. Both will be making 6125 a month plus FICA 6594 a month.
Open 24/7 in online stores an estimated 50.000 monthly users and an estimated 12,400 in monthly revenue. Premium services costs 4.95 to download so 4.95 x 5000 = $24,750/month.
So, $24,750 sales – 18,850 Expenses = $5,900 profit.
Free to download, 100% of the revenue will be made through premium services and paid advertisements.
Sources:
Walden University. (2021) How-Age-Influences-Social-Media-Preferences
www.waldenu.edu/programs/business/resource/how-age-influences-social-media-preferences.
Pew Research Center. (2021). Mobile Fact Sheet.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/
Anderson, Brooke. (2021) Social Media Use in 2021
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021/
Bureau, U.S. (2021, March 30). Urban Areas Facts. The United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural/ua-facts.html.
Rodas, Jimmy. ( September 2021). BUS115 Ch.12. Arapahoe Community College
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AuxOkjIGSxXL055A26g9K8JjRFu4fbm0X81pigOSnPc/edit#
Rodas, Jimmy. ( September 2021). BUS115 Ch.12. Arapahoe Community College
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16SZacsvmKRLTCyBSmlWh7JV20OqSEXWhs28M1QP_OJ4/edit