1) The one segment I am focusing on is the customer's interests.
2-5) Interview #1
Need Awareness: I began by asking a junior transfer student from Santa Fe. She was first aware of her need about 2 weeks after she started her freshman year of college. Being a dancer her entire life up until moving to Gainesville for school, she noticed the absence of dancing everyday like she was used to. At first it seemed relaxing to quit but she was later left unfulfilled. Wanting to start practicing once again she realized she had no one to introduce her to local studious around the city. Also, knowing the high pressure and judgment new comers have when entering a studio she was hesitant to try one on her own.
Information Search: She explored through web search local studious offering open classes for those 18+. It wasn't until she transferred to UF and was eligible for the recruitment process that she heard of dance ensembles pertaining to the University for all levels. Without the connections of knowing people already involved she admitted she would've given up on the idea of dancing altogether.
Interview #2
Need Awareness: For my second, I interviewed someone interested in fitness. Although she happens to attend UF, her boyfriend attends Santa Fe. Both very interested in fitness he goes to Gainesville Health and Fitness while she goes to Southwest Rec Center. She says she feels way more comfortable working out with her boyfriend but she does not want to pay for a membership at a gym when one is free for her through the University. Still maintaining her regimen, she wishes she had a "gym buddy" to workout with her making the overall experience more enjoyable.
Information Search: Really wanting someone to workout with her she went on the UF facebook groups and wrote posts searching for a companion. Luckily she found people interested, but she says its never consistent enough for her to continue working out with those people.
Interview #3
Need Awareness: For my final, I interviewed a freshman in the PaCE program. Playing soccer from middle school to high school she aspires to continue at University but through clubs or intramural teams. Not attending classes since she is fully an online student and no live lectures available has made her opportunity to meet new people very slim. Also, she doesn't even know where to begin her search to participate in soccer.
Information Search: Majority of her information search and sources come from facebook groups. Without spending much time on campus it is really hard for her to keep tabs on when events and opportunities arise that she may be interested in. She said she wished there were a way to connect to people who are also or were also once in her shoes.
6) Interests include a really large range and part of my market. However, the breadth and range has so many people with a need for this service that poses a positive direction for the success of my business. People are mostly getting their information from facebook groups and event groups that could be a great way to promote my service without the hassle of an app.
Hi Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI think it is so interesting to see how this need applies to people in such different ways. Your second interview definitely surprised me with the fact that even a facebook group could not provide a solidified connection through people looking for gym buddies or just friends. You would think that large facebook pages with so many students in them would foster many friendships, but it seems like it just leads to dead ends. I think that your app would be a huge success over facebook pages because the app would consist of people who want to meet others whether it is in general or for a specific reason such as going to the gym.