Friday, August 8, 2014

What DoStuff’s Doing: E6 Wrap-up and E7 KICKOFF

2 comments:
JUMP!
With Episode 6 finishing up the first week of July, it’s time we updated you on DoStuff’s progress over the course of E6 and what we plan to do in E7.

Episode 6 Wrap-up


You’ll remember that Episode 6 was the first time we tried a new voting system based on a prioritization method developed by Pandora. That means that the projects we set out to complete over the course of E6 were decided by representatives from some of the metros, as well as the DoStuff team.

While we didn’t finish everything we wanted to, we accomplished a lot and are pretty happy with the new collaborative method of choosing projects. Here’s a recap of what got done:

Product

What got done?


  • Radmin! - The biggest focus of the Product team in E6 was getting Radmin ready for real-world use, and they delivered. Events, Pending queues, Scrapers, Artists, Venues, People, and Advertising were all finished and tested over the course of E6 so that we could begin the transition away from Admin.
  • Front-end - Tags were added to Event pages along with new Artist cards, and the Latest Page got a big update of its own to improve editorial content on your site.
What didn't?

  • Lense creation and management - we had planned for lense creation and management to be included in the list of Radmin features completed in E6. Instead, it’s been added as a top priority for Episode 7 (see below).
  • Ad reporting - Radmin ad management was completed during E6, but linking ad reporting to Google Docs was pushed to E7.
  • Front-end - While Tags and Artist cards were added to Event pages in E6 (see above), we decided to abandon plans to add related lists/posts/events/venues until we can figure out a better way to display them.
Delivery

What got done?

  • Do210 - We officially launched Do210.com to add San Antonio to our growing list of metros!
  • Bootcamp reboot - We changed how new metros prep for Bootcamp and what we cover down here in Austin.
  • New email templates - We built an all-new newsletter template for MailChimp, and we’ll be working on streamlining the process for adding new templates in the future.
  • ECP/Lense Documentation - We sent out documentation for how to request ECPs and hire a designer, plus a template email to send to ECP developers.
  • CSS customization documentation - We added a new tutorial in LearnStuff for customizing Promo User and List pages, and a lot of you have already been putting it to use. We’ll be adding more CSS tips to LearnStuff in the future.
  • Overhaul KPI Reporting - Our new “How You (and the network) Did Last Week” emails are meant to give you more insights into what’s moving the needle and what isn’t.
What didn't?

  • Content & editorial guidelines - This is going to be such an important focus in the future that we decided to pull way back and start from the beginning. In E7 we’ll be studying the current editorial mix on the Network and measuring engagement so we can figure out what our goals should be.
  • Standardize network communications - We started on this in E6, but with the loss of Katie and the addition of Ted this has been pushed into E7.
  • LearnStuff updates - We’re still working on how to improve LearnStuff so that it stays the most up-to-date resource for support info.
NBD

What got done?

  • New metro! - Louisville was added as added as the newest metro in the Network. Keep an eye out for Do502 to launch this fall.
  • New hire! - We hired Mollie Brown to help with sales and marketing efforts. Mollie comes to us from The Orchard in NYC. 
  • New deals! - Ballantine Ale signed a big deal with DoNYC, and we’ve been in meetings with American Express, Converse, Deep Eddy, Goose Island, Pabst, and MillerCoors.
  • Future Folk - Our first creative tour promo collab wrapped up this week in Austin, and we couldn’t be more excited with how well it went Network-wide. The success of Future Folk signals good things for similar programs in the future.
What didn't?

  • New sales templates - The metro/brand sales deck templates we’re working on to help improve the deals process carried over to E7 (see below).

Episode 7: The Next Episode

"Compton, Long Beach, Inglewood!"


Episode 7 kicked off the second week of July, and while we tried a shorter episode term for E6, we’re going back to a three month term for E7. 

Here’s the list of the projects that got “funded” for Episode 7:

Product

Now that a large portion of the daily workflow has been transitioned over to Radmin, Product’s primary focus in Episode 7 is on expanding the functionality of Radmin and continuing to sunset Admin.

We’re also working on improving SEO across the Network and improving integrations with MailChimp and Google Analytics.

  • Ad reports to Google Docs - Being able to export Radmin ad reports to Google Docs will give you flexibility in displaying and manipulating data.
  • Radmin Dashboard - A brand new dashboard in Radmin complete with user counts, ad impression numbers, and upcoming RSVPs and Giveaways.
  • SEO improvements - It’s time to get serious about improving search rankings for the entire Network. Do206’s Scott Porad is already working with DoStuff on some SEO tricks.
  • Putting Metros in control of all transactional emails - We’re moving all transactional emails (RSVP/Giveaway reminders, followed Artist activity, etc.) to Mandrill so metros can customize email layout and get better analytics.
  • Automating ECP request and setup - This one’s for Stuart. We’re moving ECP creation over to Radmin so anyone can create one easily.
  • GA reporting cleanup - We’re cleaning up how Google Analytics reports new users, so you can see how many you gained over a certain time period and where they came from (ECP, RSVP, Giveaway, Facebook, etc.).
  • Syncing MailChimp and DoStuff databases - All email subscribe/unsubscribe data (including 21+ info) will automatically update in MailChimp.
  • Moving site design and assets to Radmin - Site design functionality is already up and asset management is being transitioned now.
  • Improved WISYWG functionality - In addition to improved image and video support on the front-end WISYWG editor, you will have the ability to embed Event, Artist, and Venue cards.
  • Overhaul send RSVP list - You will have the ability to send RSVP lists from Radmin, and customize the email template that goes with it.
  • Enhanced ECP functionality in Radmin - We’re building more ECP controls into Radmin, including the ability to pick what Featured Events run on each property
  • Show reviews - This is one we’re really excited about. We’re building a Rotten Tomatoes-style concert review system that will tell users what others thought of the previous shows on that tour.
Delivery

The core of Delivery’s focus in E7 is on improving communication. As the Network continues to grow, it’s becoming more important that we streamline how we message updates, provide support, and share best practices.

  • Network-wide Fantasy Football bracket - Yeah you read that right. We’re starting a new DoStuff Fantasy Football league. Every metro manages one team. Big prizes and bragging rights will be on the line. 
  • Improve metro support communication - Our abilities to manage all support requests via email and the Google forum are becoming stretched. We’re working on ways to improve support across the board.
  • Finish local sales ingredients list - We’re wrapping up new templates you can use to kickstart your local sales game.
  • Launch New DSD Queue - The New DSD Queue launched last month and will help improve organization and transparency of the DSD process.
  • Editorial mix audit - The Delivery team is going to review what content performs best, so we can set goals and guidelines for how to improve editorial and social across the Network.
  • Program delivery reporting audit - We need to figure out where our Program reporting needs improving, so we can keep pitching to bigger and bigger national advertisers.
  • Test metro email lists - We want to use MailChimp to target inactive subscribers and see if we can re-engage them.
  • Festival debt audit - We need to assess where our Festival platform rests right now, and what it will take to bring it back up to speed.
  • Standardize Network communications - As the number and importance of our Network emails grow, we need to standardize when and how we communicate different information to everyone in the network.
  • Update LearnStuff for Radmin - The launch of Radmin means a lot of the documentation on LearnStuff is already out-of-date.
  • Summit 2014 - November will come up sooner than we all think, so we’re starting on planning and logistics now.
  • Implement/test ClientPulse - ClientPulse is a cool tool that will help foster more communication between DoStuff and the metros. We use a similar tool here internally. 
NBD

After growing the team and wrapping up the first Network-wide tour, NBD is doubling down on going after big name “whales” in E7.

  • Brand/Metro Sales Template Decks - Carried over from E6, we’re redesigning our sales templates to score bigger advertisers and bigger dollar amounts.
  • Finalize two brand case studies - For such a unique media company, we need more case studies to show advertisers that what we do works. 
  • Bi-weekly sales call - We’re working on ways to make this call more interactive so that it can be more valuable for everyone. Step one is to improve call quality.
  • DoStuff messaging - We’re updating our own messaging in E7 so we can improve how we all describe what DoStuff is to advertisers and partners.
  • DoStuff marketing - As 2014 comes to a close, we’re finalizing a comprehensive (and awesome) marketing plan to close out the year with a bang.
  • Network-wide video series - Brands are emphasizing how important video is to them right now. We need to build a “content trail” as a proof of concept for big dollar advertisers. 
As always, comment below if you have any questions!
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Friday, August 8, 2014

What DoStuff’s Doing: E6 Wrap-up and E7 KICKOFF

JUMP!
With Episode 6 finishing up the first week of July, it’s time we updated you on DoStuff’s progress over the course of E6 and what we plan to do in E7.

Episode 6 Wrap-up


You’ll remember that Episode 6 was the first time we tried a new voting system based on a prioritization method developed by Pandora. That means that the projects we set out to complete over the course of E6 were decided by representatives from some of the metros, as well as the DoStuff team.

While we didn’t finish everything we wanted to, we accomplished a lot and are pretty happy with the new collaborative method of choosing projects. Here’s a recap of what got done:

Product

What got done?


  • Radmin! - The biggest focus of the Product team in E6 was getting Radmin ready for real-world use, and they delivered. Events, Pending queues, Scrapers, Artists, Venues, People, and Advertising were all finished and tested over the course of E6 so that we could begin the transition away from Admin.
  • Front-end - Tags were added to Event pages along with new Artist cards, and the Latest Page got a big update of its own to improve editorial content on your site.
What didn't?

  • Lense creation and management - we had planned for lense creation and management to be included in the list of Radmin features completed in E6. Instead, it’s been added as a top priority for Episode 7 (see below).
  • Ad reporting - Radmin ad management was completed during E6, but linking ad reporting to Google Docs was pushed to E7.
  • Front-end - While Tags and Artist cards were added to Event pages in E6 (see above), we decided to abandon plans to add related lists/posts/events/venues until we can figure out a better way to display them.
Delivery

What got done?

  • Do210 - We officially launched Do210.com to add San Antonio to our growing list of metros!
  • Bootcamp reboot - We changed how new metros prep for Bootcamp and what we cover down here in Austin.
  • New email templates - We built an all-new newsletter template for MailChimp, and we’ll be working on streamlining the process for adding new templates in the future.
  • ECP/Lense Documentation - We sent out documentation for how to request ECPs and hire a designer, plus a template email to send to ECP developers.
  • CSS customization documentation - We added a new tutorial in LearnStuff for customizing Promo User and List pages, and a lot of you have already been putting it to use. We’ll be adding more CSS tips to LearnStuff in the future.
  • Overhaul KPI Reporting - Our new “How You (and the network) Did Last Week” emails are meant to give you more insights into what’s moving the needle and what isn’t.
What didn't?

  • Content & editorial guidelines - This is going to be such an important focus in the future that we decided to pull way back and start from the beginning. In E7 we’ll be studying the current editorial mix on the Network and measuring engagement so we can figure out what our goals should be.
  • Standardize network communications - We started on this in E6, but with the loss of Katie and the addition of Ted this has been pushed into E7.
  • LearnStuff updates - We’re still working on how to improve LearnStuff so that it stays the most up-to-date resource for support info.
NBD

What got done?

  • New metro! - Louisville was added as added as the newest metro in the Network. Keep an eye out for Do502 to launch this fall.
  • New hire! - We hired Mollie Brown to help with sales and marketing efforts. Mollie comes to us from The Orchard in NYC. 
  • New deals! - Ballantine Ale signed a big deal with DoNYC, and we’ve been in meetings with American Express, Converse, Deep Eddy, Goose Island, Pabst, and MillerCoors.
  • Future Folk - Our first creative tour promo collab wrapped up this week in Austin, and we couldn’t be more excited with how well it went Network-wide. The success of Future Folk signals good things for similar programs in the future.
What didn't?

  • New sales templates - The metro/brand sales deck templates we’re working on to help improve the deals process carried over to E7 (see below).

Episode 7: The Next Episode

"Compton, Long Beach, Inglewood!"


Episode 7 kicked off the second week of July, and while we tried a shorter episode term for E6, we’re going back to a three month term for E7. 

Here’s the list of the projects that got “funded” for Episode 7:

Product

Now that a large portion of the daily workflow has been transitioned over to Radmin, Product’s primary focus in Episode 7 is on expanding the functionality of Radmin and continuing to sunset Admin.

We’re also working on improving SEO across the Network and improving integrations with MailChimp and Google Analytics.

  • Ad reports to Google Docs - Being able to export Radmin ad reports to Google Docs will give you flexibility in displaying and manipulating data.
  • Radmin Dashboard - A brand new dashboard in Radmin complete with user counts, ad impression numbers, and upcoming RSVPs and Giveaways.
  • SEO improvements - It’s time to get serious about improving search rankings for the entire Network. Do206’s Scott Porad is already working with DoStuff on some SEO tricks.
  • Putting Metros in control of all transactional emails - We’re moving all transactional emails (RSVP/Giveaway reminders, followed Artist activity, etc.) to Mandrill so metros can customize email layout and get better analytics.
  • Automating ECP request and setup - This one’s for Stuart. We’re moving ECP creation over to Radmin so anyone can create one easily.
  • GA reporting cleanup - We’re cleaning up how Google Analytics reports new users, so you can see how many you gained over a certain time period and where they came from (ECP, RSVP, Giveaway, Facebook, etc.).
  • Syncing MailChimp and DoStuff databases - All email subscribe/unsubscribe data (including 21+ info) will automatically update in MailChimp.
  • Moving site design and assets to Radmin - Site design functionality is already up and asset management is being transitioned now.
  • Improved WISYWG functionality - In addition to improved image and video support on the front-end WISYWG editor, you will have the ability to embed Event, Artist, and Venue cards.
  • Overhaul send RSVP list - You will have the ability to send RSVP lists from Radmin, and customize the email template that goes with it.
  • Enhanced ECP functionality in Radmin - We’re building more ECP controls into Radmin, including the ability to pick what Featured Events run on each property
  • Show reviews - This is one we’re really excited about. We’re building a Rotten Tomatoes-style concert review system that will tell users what others thought of the previous shows on that tour.
Delivery

The core of Delivery’s focus in E7 is on improving communication. As the Network continues to grow, it’s becoming more important that we streamline how we message updates, provide support, and share best practices.

  • Network-wide Fantasy Football bracket - Yeah you read that right. We’re starting a new DoStuff Fantasy Football league. Every metro manages one team. Big prizes and bragging rights will be on the line. 
  • Improve metro support communication - Our abilities to manage all support requests via email and the Google forum are becoming stretched. We’re working on ways to improve support across the board.
  • Finish local sales ingredients list - We’re wrapping up new templates you can use to kickstart your local sales game.
  • Launch New DSD Queue - The New DSD Queue launched last month and will help improve organization and transparency of the DSD process.
  • Editorial mix audit - The Delivery team is going to review what content performs best, so we can set goals and guidelines for how to improve editorial and social across the Network.
  • Program delivery reporting audit - We need to figure out where our Program reporting needs improving, so we can keep pitching to bigger and bigger national advertisers.
  • Test metro email lists - We want to use MailChimp to target inactive subscribers and see if we can re-engage them.
  • Festival debt audit - We need to assess where our Festival platform rests right now, and what it will take to bring it back up to speed.
  • Standardize Network communications - As the number and importance of our Network emails grow, we need to standardize when and how we communicate different information to everyone in the network.
  • Update LearnStuff for Radmin - The launch of Radmin means a lot of the documentation on LearnStuff is already out-of-date.
  • Summit 2014 - November will come up sooner than we all think, so we’re starting on planning and logistics now.
  • Implement/test ClientPulse - ClientPulse is a cool tool that will help foster more communication between DoStuff and the metros. We use a similar tool here internally. 
NBD

After growing the team and wrapping up the first Network-wide tour, NBD is doubling down on going after big name “whales” in E7.

  • Brand/Metro Sales Template Decks - Carried over from E6, we’re redesigning our sales templates to score bigger advertisers and bigger dollar amounts.
  • Finalize two brand case studies - For such a unique media company, we need more case studies to show advertisers that what we do works. 
  • Bi-weekly sales call - We’re working on ways to make this call more interactive so that it can be more valuable for everyone. Step one is to improve call quality.
  • DoStuff messaging - We’re updating our own messaging in E7 so we can improve how we all describe what DoStuff is to advertisers and partners.
  • DoStuff marketing - As 2014 comes to a close, we’re finalizing a comprehensive (and awesome) marketing plan to close out the year with a bang.
  • Network-wide video series - Brands are emphasizing how important video is to them right now. We need to build a “content trail” as a proof of concept for big dollar advertisers. 
As always, comment below if you have any questions!