[COURSE] - Build Your Next NFT Project using WordPress Rest API and NMKR API

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Sequoia Brown

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

sequoia@funnelamp.com

Additional applicants

N/A

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

175000

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

WordPress will be used to build out the Learning Management System (LMS) as well as an example project that will be completed by learners going through the course. The NMKR platform will be used for incorporating the NFT minting and selling capabilities of students' NFT websites.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

No

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

This project will be partially open source, built on WordPress while also using a commercial plugin for course deployment and branching.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

NFTs

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG Goals

• Ensure access to inclusive and equitable quality education
• Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable technological development and economic growth
• Build resilient infrastructures that help to foster innovation
• Increase access to information and communications technology

SDG KPIs

• A LMS web portal that uses dynamic text wherever possible so that content is translatable using Google Translator or other translation tools.
• A LMS web portal that is developed using best sustainable website development practices.
• A LMS web portal that is developed using government-backed accessability standards.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

By having no structured, well-marketed product course in place, NMKR is missing a low-hanging-fruit opportunity to onboard more NFT-curious developers into Cardano, and by proxy, those developers' customers. Additionally, NMKR appears to be operating with a small bootstrap team which means hands-on customer support can't always be provided in the most timely manner.

Build Your Next NFT Project using WordPress Rest API and NMKR API will be a comprehensive 4-6 hour self-guided video and written content course that will walk Beginner and Intermediary WordPress.org users through building a customized NFT website. This course will also be attractive to current users of the low-code/no-code NMKR tools who want to learn how to more deeply customize their project websites. Once launched, ideally the course will be presented as part of the new user onboarding flow.

Customer Onboarding Matters

Recent data shows that 76% of customers will continue to use a product or service if they've had a positive onboarding experience. This is opposed to the 40%-60% that will churn almost immediately if the experience is negative.

A structured NMKR course targeted toward WordPress users will not only expose this large user base to Cardano and the NMKR platform, it will speed up new user onboarding while providing new users with an positive, customer-focused UX.

Additionally, a well-structured course will help mitigate "newbie" customer support questions. This in turn will allow the current NMKR support team to concentrate on more critical customer care scenarios that require high-touch support.

My Customer Experience With NMKR

As a recent NMKR user I have had personal experience with NMKR's customer support. When available, they are earnest in their wish to assist, however, I have also had questions go unanswered or I've been deferred to an AI bot that is not capable of addressing nuanced questions. I've also been pointed to the existing documentation, which while extensive, sometimes would be better supported with a visual tutorial.

To reduce the potential for a negative onboarding experience, NMKR should empower new users by providing stellar self-education (courseware) that makes understanding Cardano and the NMKR tools as fast and simple as possible.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Savvy SaaS companies know the power of using structured training to educate users of their products. Not only does it improve Customer Success, it also lowers the barrier to entry for new users and can be a pivotal tool to increase conversion rates.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the majority of human beings are visual learners. This means that simply being pointed to written documentation will often be inadequate for people learning a new technology product.

NMKR has published tutorials on its Youtube channel, however to date, none of these have been structured into a comprehensive step-by-step course, and none of these videos extensively walk learners through an in-depth implementation of API tools. Additionally, it appears these videos are not specifically targeted toward the WordPress user base.

The benefits that will be granted to the Cardano ecosystem by the “Build Your Next NFT Project using WordPress Rest API and NMKR API” course include:

• Targeting the extensive WordPress user base. As of 2022, over 40% of all websites are developed using WordPress (source: W3Techs), this is the equivalent of nearly 800 million users worldwide. A WordPress specific course will be a strong lead magnet to attract more people to NMKR and by proxy, the Cardano blockchain.

• The course will create more educated Cardano advocates. As part of the course, learners will receive a brief education about Blockchain technology (Cardano in specific), its benefits to tech, business, and society at large, and examples of how others are implementing Blockchain (Cardano) in various projects.

•  It will support the healthy growth of the NMKR platform and increase the volume of transactions on the Cardano Blockchain.

•  It will allow existing low-code users of the NMKR platform to expand their knowledge and use of the platform’s existing tools.

• It will help launch more products (NFTs) on the Cardano Blockchain that will subsequently be used and purchased by more people who will be introduced to Cardano.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The success of this project will be measured by:

• The number of users who sign up for the course
• The number of user who complete the course
• The number of users who create new accounts with NMKR

UTM links will be used to track analytical data. Learners will also be encouraged to provide direct feedback via exit surveys. 

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

Course Promotion

If this project is successfully funded, the aim is to partner with NMKR to use its existing marketing channels to broadcast the existence of the course as well as its outcomes.

The course website will also have a dedicated page that will be used to showcase completed projects (free publicity for learners who finish the course). The course will also maintain a social media account of its own (which social network will be used is TBD). Lastly, the project will follow reporting requirements as dictated by Project Catalyst.

If The Value of ADA Goes Up

Additionally, if there is a surplus created by the price of ADA going up over the required budget at the time of tranche payment, a portion of the funding will be used for paid promotion (search engine ads, social media ads, etc.) Funds will also be set aside to reward & incentivize learners who complete the program.

Future Development

In regards to further development, if the project is successful, additional courses can potentially be added to build out a virtual NMKR academy.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Sequoia Brown (proposer) is a contract content developer, project manager, and WordPress designer with 15+ years of experience.

As a contractor, she has been hired to assist numerous B2B, SaaS, and tech companies with technical writing, CRO, SEO, and UI/UX projects. Some of these past clients have included Airbnb.org, Upwork Inc, HighRadius.com, MegaFans.com, GoodBaas.com, Sybal.io, and AT1Security.com.

Sequoia has managed her own content development agency (www.funnelamp.com) since 2017, and also has previous experience as a course designer and instructor. Sequoia is also an artist working on launching her first NFT project through NMKR. 

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

• To launch a high-quality, learner-friendly REST API course that guides learners through completing an NFT website build using NMKR + WordPress.
• To have (at minimum) 500 learners sign up for the course within 6 months after the course goes live.
• To gather learner feedback from the course regarding UI/UX and make iterations if/as needed.
• To help onboard more users to NMKR.
• To expose Cardano to a large community of motivated, technically adept users.
• To have these technical user expose more people to Cardano by distributing their NFT projects to their customer.

The feasibility of accomplishing these goals is based on the proposer's past experience as a content developer, instructor, and online marketer.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

MILESTONE 1 (1 Month)

• Project launch meeting with Patrick Tobler and other NMKR principals.
• Create a detailed course outline along with a list of assets that need to be developed and a list of hardware/software requirements.
• Begin conducting research to ensure logic/knowledge is up to date on NMKR & WordPress latest capabilities.

MILESTONE 2 (2 Months)

• Complete any research required to ensure logic/knowledge is up to date on NMKR & WordPress latest capabilities.
• Write all content and scripts for course assets.
• Wireframe components of WordPress-based Learning Management System (LMS)

MILESTONE 3 (1 Month)

• Graphically design two versions of the CRO course landing page for A/B testing (short-form / long-form)
• Record interactive tutorials
• Implement mailing list platform to begin collecting interested learners
• Gather comprehensive list of potential marketing channels
• Start promoting upcoming course through NMKR and other channels
• Introduce paid advertising (if value of ADA can support it)
• Begin graphically designing and recording all course assets and components

MILESTONE 4 (1 Month)

• Complete visual design of all course assets and components
• Complete quality assurance check and beta test (Myself, NMKR, Third-Party REST API/WordPress contractor)
• Make any needed adjustments, improvements

MILESTONE 5 (1 Month)

• Launch course to early tester group (list segment) for feedback / review
• Make any needed adjustments, improvements
• Continue to promote course and add subscribers to mailing list

MILESTONE 6

• Launch course to full mailing list
• Continue with unpaid promotion of course
• Continue with paid promotion of course (based on value of ADA)

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

MILESTONE 1 Deliverables & Outputs

• NMKR input and clarity of role in project
• Any required legal documents and contracts signed
• Course Outline
• Software / hardware requirements listed
• Information required to assure the curriculum is based on the most up to date capabilities of WP & NMKR

MILESTONE 2 Deliverables & Outputs

• Complete written content for course
• Wireframe of the Learning Management System (LMS)

MILESTONE 3 Deliverables & Outputs

• 2 course landing pages completed
• Video tutorials
• Mailing list established
• List of all feasible marketing channels compiled
• Graphic design of LMS and assets 30%-50% complete

MILESTONE 4 Deliverables & Outputs

• Graphic design of LMS and assets 100% complete
• Quality check feedback from stakeholders

MILESTONE 5 Deliverables & Outputs

• Soft launched website
• Feedback and reviews from early testers

MILESTONE 6

• Fully launched and completed LMS site
• 2-3 months Post launch – first student examples of completed projects for showcase

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

MILESTONE 1 (1 Month)

$3,750 = 30 hours of work

MILESTONE 2 (2 Months)

$20,000 = 160 hours of work

$2600 = Software   

$300 = Hardware     

MILESTONE 3 (1 Month)

$7500 = 60 Hours of Work

*$1500 = Paid Marketing (OPTIONAL – dependent on value of ADA)

MILESTONE 4 (1 Month)

$7500 = 60 Hours of Work

$500 = Third-Party Auditor

*$1500 = Paid Marketing (OPTIONAL – dependent on value of ADA)

MILESTONE 5 (1 Month)

$3,750 = 30 hours of work

*$1500 = Paid Marketing (OPTIONAL – dependent on value of ADA)

MILESTONE 6

$3,750 = 30 hours of work

*$1500 = Paid Marketing (OPTIONAL – dependent on value of ADA)

______________________________________________________________________________

$49,650 USD = 175,000 ADA at time of submitting this proposal

*Depending on the value of ADA at the time of tranche payment, surplus over the USD budget amount will be directed toward paid promotion of the course. To make a meaningful advertising impact, a minimum of $6,000 will be required. 

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

When developing a comprehensive online course, it normally requires the services of several specialists. Typically this includes an instructional designer, copywriter, researcher, video editor, graphic designer, web designer, and voice-over artist. By having these areas of expertise covered by a single specialist, the project's cost is better contained.

For context, producing a one-hour course costs between $8,150 and $36,205 on average, following the ADDIE model. (Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-much-does-cost-develop-online-course-sergey-cujba/).

Considering that this course aims to create 4-6 hours of learning, the proposed price point represents significant savings + value.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept