BidBid - The Brand That Started it all
Introduction
What started as a college assignment presented a unique opportunity at the outset of my career. It offered an invaluable opportunity to develop a brand from the ground up and challenge my prowess in brand and app development. This project showcased my capabilities and became a stepping stone for future business opportunities, culminating in my first client relationship through a strategic sale.
Objective
The project's primary objective was to create a comprehensive brand that solved a current problem within an assigned category (mine was social media/networking). It eventually served as both a portfolio piece and a marketable product. The goals were:
Develop a Unique Brand Concept: Create a distinctive brand identity that could stand out in the competitive market.
Build a Functional and Engaging App: Design and develop a mobile application that aligns with the brand's concept and enhances user engagement.
Attract Potential Buyers: Create a marketing strategy for potential investors and users.
Process
1. Concept Development
Market Research: Conducted surveys and analyzed competitor platforms. Professional networking platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn provide limited resources for connecting with others. Often, communications with someone turn into sales opportunities instead of genuine networking connections.
Idea Generation: After evaluating various ideas, I developed the concept for an online networking platform inspired by the phrase "time is money." My research indicated that over 40% of professionals often disregard networking messages due to a lack of time for casual conversations. This platform addresses that by allowing users to bid on time with top professionals, ensuring meaningful and purposeful interactions.
The platform lets auction creators specify meeting types, topics, and other details. The winning bidder secures a guaranteed meeting, providing an opportunity for high-value exchanges. Additionally, the winning bid can be directed to a charity chosen by the auctioneer or toward the meeting itself. The goal was to facilitate experiences beyond traditional networking, offering one-on-one sessions like mentorships, athletic training, master classes, or specialized lessons based on the auction creator's expertise.
2. Brand Identity Creation
With a clear concept in mind, the next step was to create a brand identity that would resonate with the target audience and differentiate Bidbid from existing competitors.
Naming: "Bidbid" was chosen for its simplicity and direct relevance to the platform.
Logo Design: I developed a modern and memorable logo that reflects the dynamic and communicative nature of networking. Using round edges and the chat bubbles helped soften the often scary and harsh idea of networking and bidding.
Color Scheme: I wanted a vibrant color palette that conveys trust, energy, and excitement. Using two primary colors made it easy to demonstrate how two individuals can come together.
3. Style Guide Development
A comprehensive style guide was created to ensure consistency across all brand touchpoints.
Typography: Chose clean and legible fonts that are easily read on various devices.
Imagery: Established guidelines for imagery that aligns with the brand's identity, including the use of high-quality, relevant images.
Voice and Tone: Defined the brand's voice as professional, approachable, and energetic to resonate with the target audience.
4. Messaging and Communication Strategy
Crafting clear and compelling messaging was crucial for effectively communicating the brand's value proposition.
Tagline: Developed a catchy and meaningful tagline that encapsulates the essence of the brand: "A new way to network."
Core Messages: Expanding your network has never done much good for the world. Whether you promote yourself or find connections to enhance your life, BidBid can help.
Content Strategy: Planned a content strategy to include blog posts, social media updates, and email newsletters to engage and inform potential users.
5. App Development
The next phase involved translating the brand's concept into a functional, user-friendly mobile application.
Wireframing and Prototyping: Created wireframes and prototypes to visualize the app's layout and functionality.
UI/UX Design: Focused on designing an intuitive user interface and seamless user experience to facilitate easy navigation and interaction.
Development and Testing: Developed the app using agile methodologies and conducted extensive testing to ensure functionality and performance.
6. Launch and Marketing
With the app ready, the focus shifted to launching and marketing the brand.
Launch Strategy: Devised a launch strategy that included a soft launch and a full-scale rollout.
Marketing Campaigns: Implemented marketing campaigns across digital channels to create awareness and attract users.
Outcome
Interest from Prospective Buyer
After presenting to my professor, he advised me to share with a larger group of people within his network. In a matter of months, Bidbid began to attract attention. It eventually made its way through the grapevine to an investor from Texas interested in acquiring the concept. The buyer was impressed with the comprehensive brand identity, the app's functionality, and the potential market opportunities.
Sale and First Client Relationship
After several discussions and negotiations, I sold the Bidbid concept to the prospective buyer. This transaction not only marked the successful culmination of the project but also initiated my first client relationship, laying the foundation for future business opportunities.
Sale Agreement: I remained on the development team that polished up the idea and turned it into what it is today. In late 2021, BidBid made its official debut, and I finalized the sale agreement, including the transfer of brand assets and intellectual property.
Client Relationship: Established a long-term client relationship, leading to additional projects and collaborations.
Impact on Portfolio
The successful development and sale of Bidbid significantly enhanced our portfolio, showcasing our ability to create and commercialize innovative brands and applications. It demonstrated our proficiency in end-to-end brand and app development and positioned us as a credible and capable player in the industry.
Conclusion
The Bidbid project was a pivotal experience at the outset of my career, providing a comprehensive platform to showcase my brand and app development capabilities. The brand's successful creation and sale validated my expertise and set the stage for future success.
