HomeMy WebLinkAboutAlex Leust - Digital MarketingCover Letter
Dear City Manager's Office,
We are thrilled to submit this Statement of Interest on behalf of Aelieve Digital Marketing in
response to the City of Iowa City's Request for Statement of Interest for project and program
concepts under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding opportunity. Our proposed
project aligns with the goals and objectives of the Inclusive Economic Development Plan and
the City Council Strategic Plan, and we are confident that it will significantly contribute to the
economic growth, resilience, and inclusivity, of the Iowa City community.
Our application emphasizes business support programs, featuring a comprehensive digital
marketing solution designed to empower underrepresented businesses and entrepreneurs in
Iowa City. Our primary aim is to foster inclusive economic growth and resilience for the BIPOC
community through collaborative efforts, engagement, and state-of-the-art digital resources.
The project's components include a Learning Management System (LMS) solution that offers
accessible and interactive educational experiences, enabling small to medium sized businesses
to acquire essential digital marketing skills. Additionally, we will develop a media gallery and a
virtual community hub that promotes community resilience, inclusivity, and support for
underrepresented businesses and entrepreneurs.
As the lead applicant, Aelieve Digital Marketing is an Iowa City -based organization dedicated to
making a positive impact on the local community. Our contact information is as follows:
Aelieve Digital Marketing
Alex Leust
Sales Engineer
Alex. leust@aelleve.com
(319)432-0909
We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to contribute to the City's vision for inclusive economic
development and growth. Thank you for considering our Statement of Interest. We are excited
about the possibility of collaborating with the City of Iowa City and its partners to advance the
goals of the Inclusive Economic Development Plan and the City Council Strategic Plan.
Sincerely,
Ryan Toth
President
Aelieve Digital Marketing
General Description of Inclusive Economic Development Support
Aelieve Digital Marketing presents the Inclusive Economic Development Support for
Underrepresented Businesses and Entrepreneurs (ZEDS-UBE), a comprehensive business
support program devised to cultivate inclusive economic growth, resilience, and empowerment
in Iowa City. This initiative focuses on addressing the unique needs of the local Black,
Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community while emphasizing the creation of
successful new pathways for systematically marginalized populations.
The primary objective of the IEDS-UBE is to offer affordable and accessible business
development services, foster collaboration among local businesses, provide mentorship and
training opportunities, and deliver technical assistance and financing options to
underrepresented businesses and entrepreneurs in Iowa City. To achieve these goals, the
project will establish partnerships with local organizations, implement customized support
programs, and cultivate a safe and nurturing environment for small to medium sized businesses
and entrepreneurs alike.
Integrating a Learning Management System (LMS) Solution: To further bolster Media Production
resources and digital marketing strategies, our project will incorporate a learning management
system (LMS) solution. This comprehensive platform will provide participants with an accessible
and interactive learning experience, facilitating the acquisition of vital digital marketing strategies
and skills. The LMS will serve as a valuable resource, empowering IEDS-UBE of all sizes to
capitalize on digital marketing strategies for business growth and expansion.
The numerous benefits of the IEDS-UBE include increased economic opportunities, job
creation, strengthened social connections, and enhanced access to resources and support for
underrepresented businesses and entrepreneurs in Iowa City. Our project aligns with the goals
delineated in the Inclusive Economic Development Plan and the City Council Strategic Plan, as
it endeavors to promote economic development, social justice, and human rights through
collaborative efforts and community engagement.
By investing in the IEDS-UBE, the City of Iowa City will be taking a significant stride toward
actualizing the objectives of the Inclusive Economic Development Plan and the City Council
Strategic Plan. Through our pioneering approach, we are dedicated to creating a lasting impact
on the community, fostering inclusive economic growth and resilience for the BIPOC community
in Iowa City.
Community Resilience
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and communities worldwide are
seeking digital transformation as a means of facilitating economic recovery. Digital marketing
applications play a vital role in this process by assisting businesses in digitizing their operations,
enhancing their online presence, and engaging with their customers.
Digital transformation entails integrating digital technology across all aspects of a business,
leading to fundamental changes in operation and value delivery to customers. The pandemic
has accelerated the demand for digital transformation, with businesses adapting to new
challenges such as social distancing measures and diminished foot traffic.
Learning Management System (LMS) Solution: To further enhance Media Production resources
and digital marketing strategies, our project will incorporate a learning management system
(LMS) solution. This comprehensive platform provides an accessible and interactive learning
experience, enabling IEDS-UBE to acquire essential digital marketing skills. The LMS will serve
as a valuable resource for IEDS-UBE, allowing them to harness digital marketing strategies for
business growth and expansion.
Establishing an Online Presence: Digital marketing applications offer the key benefit of helping
businesses establish an online presence, particularly crucial for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) that may lack resources for developing and maintaining digital marketing
platforms. SMEs can utilize digital marketing applications to create websites, social media
accounts, and other online profiles, connecting with customers and showcasing their products
and services.
Reaching New Audiences: Digital marketing applications also assist businesses in reaching new
audiences and expanding their customer base. Through targeted advertising and search engine
optimization (SEO), businesses can enhance their online visibility and attract customers who
may not have discovered them otherwise.
Streamlining Operations: Digital marketing applications can aid businesses in optimizing their
operations and improving efficiency. Automating tasks such as customer service and sales
enables businesses to allocate time and resources to other operational areas.
Virtual Community Hub: The digital marketing LMS application and website offer an excellent
opportunity for diversity and inclusivity by creating a virtual community hub fostering community
resilience. Designing the application and website to be accessible and user-friendly for all
backgrounds encourages a sense of belonging and community among users. The project team
can promote inclusivity through diverse imagery and language in marketing materials and by
soliciting feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders during the development process. This
culture of diversity and inclusivity transforms the digital marketing application and website into a
valuable resource for underrepresented businesses and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate,
and support each other virtually.
In conclusion, digital marketing applications hold significant potential in helping businesses and
communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. By promoting digital transformation and
enabling businesses to establish an online presence, reach new audiences, streamline
operations, and create a virtual community hub. These support economic recovery and
contribute to building a more resilient community.
Budget
1. Personnel: $110,000
Project manager: $10,000
Media Production Team: $60,000
Website development team: $40,000
2. Technology: $55,000
Software development and licensing fees (Incl. LMS Platform): $30,000
Hardware and equipment: $10,000
Cloud hosting and data storage: $10,000
Website development: $5,000
3. Marketing and Advertising: $10,000
Social media advertising: $5,000
Email marketing: $2,000
Print and digital marketing collateral: $2,000
Search engine optimization: $1,000
4. Miscellaneous expenses: $5,000
Legal and accounting fees: $2,500
Training and development: $2,500
Total: $180,000
This comprehensive budget allocates funding for personnel to effectively manage and execute
the project, technology resources to develop and deploy the digital marketing platform, LMS
solution, and website, and marketing and advertising initiatives to promote the platform, website,
and virtual community hub.
The ongoing annual cost for our proposed solution stands at a competitive $5,964 per year. We
are committed to maintaining this price for the next decade, ensuring long-term affordability and
predictability for the City of Iowa City. Following this 10-year period, we will conduct a review to
assess any necessary adjustments to the cost structure.
To provide additional assurance, we can incorporate a maximum percentage increase for the
10-year change into the legal verbiage of our agreement. This provision ensures that any
adjustments to the annual cost after the initial decade will be reasonable and within the city's
financial expectations.
By offering a stable pricing structure, our goal is to contribute to the city's efforts in fostering
inclusive economic growth and community resilience while minimizing financial uncertainties for
the long-term success of the project.
Additionally, miscellaneous expenses cover legal, accounting fees, and professional
development to ensure the project's success and compliance. With this budget, our team will
collaborate to deliver a robust digital marketing platform, LMS solution, and virtual community
hub designed to support underrepresented businesses and entrepreneurs, fostering community
resilience in the wake of COVID-19.
Timeline
Month 1
• Develop project plan and timeline
• Conduct market research and identify target audience
• Develop branding and design for the digital marketing platform, LMS solution, and
website
Month 2
• Develop website stagesite and user interface
• Begin website and virtual community hub development
• Research and select software for the digital marketing application and LMS solution
• Develop marketing and advertising strategy
Month 3
• Finalize website and virtual community hub development
• Begin software development for the digital marketing platform and LMS solution
• Develop marketing collateral and materials
• Begin search engine optimization
Month 4
• Complete software development for the digital marketing platform and LMS solution
• Conduct user testing and gather feedback for the platform, LMS solution, and website
• Launch the digital marketing platform, LMS solution, and website
Month 5
• Launch marketing and advertising campaigns
• Monitor and analyze user engagement and feedback
• Make necessary adjustments and updates to the platform, LMS solution, and website
based on feedback
Month 6
• Evaluate the success of the project
• Develop a plan for ongoing maintenance and updates to the platform, LMS solution, and
website
• Create a plan for measuring the long-term impact of the digital marketing platform, LMS
solution, and website
• Develop a strategy for sustaining and growing the project's impact beyond the initial
6-month period
This timeline ensures a comprehensive and thorough development process, allowing the digital
marketing platform, LMS solution, and website to be effective, user-friendly, and aligned with the
community's needs. By launching the platform, LMS solution, and website in Month 4, the
project team will have adequate time to market and promote the project, analyze user feedback,
and make necessary updates and improvements in the final months of the project.
Track Record
Aelieve Digital Marketing is a premier digital marketing agency with a proven track record of
success in assisting businesses of all sizes and industries in achieving their digital marketing
objectives. With over 750 completed projects and 120 global clients, Aelieve boasts extensive
experience in delivering inventive, efficient, and innovative digital marketing solutions to clients
worldwide.
A key aspect of Aelieve's success is its ability to deliver projects punctually and within budget,
boasting a 97% on -time delivery rate and a 96% on -budget delivery rate. This exceptional
performance demonstrates the agency's dedication to excellence, meticulous attention to detail,
and focus on providing top-notch results for its clientele.
Aelieve's expertise encompasses a broad range of digital marketing disciplines, including
creative design, web design, marketing automations, reputation management, social media
marketing, content marketing, digital advertising, Learning Management System (LMS)
solutions,and more. The agency has collaborated with clients across diverse industries, such as
non-profit, home services, research startups, financial services, law, medical, and more.
The agency's commitment to diversity and inclusivity is evident in its ability to work with clients
from various cultural backgrounds and industries. Aelieve understands that every business is
unique and faces specific challenges, and it takes pride in offering tailored solutions that
address each client's distinct requirements.
In summary, Aelieve Digital Marketing serves as a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes anc
backgrounds in the community, delivering comprehensive and effective digital marketing
solutions, including LMS systems, that drive growth, engagement, and success. With a focus on
excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, Aelieve is perfectly positioned to help community
businesses achieve their digital marketing goals and thrive in the digital era.
See Website for more
Statement of Work
The purpose of this project is to provide inclusive economic development support to
underestimated businesses and entrepreneurs in Iowa City through a comprehensive Learning
Management System (LMS) solution. The project, sponsored by Aelieve Digital Marketing, will
involve the development of a digital marketing application and website that serves as an LMS
platform, enabling businesses and entrepreneurs to digitize their operations, establish an online
presence, and connect with customers in new and innovative ways. The project will be
managed by a team consisting of a project manager, marketing specialist, and website
developer.
Scope of Work
The scope of work for this project includes the following tasks and activities:
• Conduct market research and identify target audience
• Develop branding and design for the digital marketing application, website, and LMS
platform
• Develop website stagesite and user interface
• Develop website, digital marketing application, and LMS platform
• Develop marketing and advertising strategy
• Create marketing collateral and materials
• Integrate LMS features such as course creation, progress tracking, and user
management
• Conduct user testing for the digital marketing application, website, and LMS platform
• Launch the digital marketing application, website, and LMS platform
• Monitor and analyze user engagement and feedback
• Make necessary adjustments and updates to the digital marketing application, website,
and LMS platform
Deliverables
The deliverables for this project include the following:
• Completed digital marketing application, website, and LMS platform
• Branding and design materials for the digital marketing application, website, and LMS
platform
• Media production gallery inside of LMS
• Marketing and advertising collateral and materials
• User testing and feedback reports
• Final project report and recommendations for ongoing maintenance and updates to the
digital marketing application, website, and LMS platform
Timeline
The timeline for this project is 6 months, beginning on May 15, 2023, and ending on November
15, 2023. The project will be divided into the following phases:
Phase 1: Planning and Design (Month 1-2)
Phase 2: Development (Month 3-4)
Phase 3: Launch and Marketing (Month 5)
Phase 4: Maintenance and Evaluation (Month 6)
Resources
The resources required for this project include:
• Account manager
• Media Production Team
• Website development team
• Software development and licensing fees
• Hardware and equipment
• Cloud hosting and data storage
• Marketing and advertising expenses
• Legal and accounting fees
Assumptions and Dependencies
This project is dependent on the availability of the project team and external resources, such as
software and hardware. Assumptions for this project include the availability of funding and
support from the community, and the willingness of businesses and entrepreneurs to adopt
digital marketing strategies and use the digital marketing application, website, and LMS
platform.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions for this project will be outlined in a separate agreement between Aelieve
Digital Marketing and any external parties involved in the project, such as vendors or
contractors. These may include payment terms, confidentiality agreements, or intellectual
property rights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aelieve Digital Marketing is dedicated to supporting the City of Iowa City's vision
of inclusive economic development, as outlined in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and
the Strategic Plan. Our proposed project aligns with the city's objectives by providing
comprehensive digital marketing solutions and a tailored Learning Management System (LMS)
to underrepresented businesses and entrepreneurs in Iowa City. This project will empower
BIPOC-owned businesses, foster inclusive economic growth, and contribute to community
resilience in the face of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By collaborating with the City of Iowa City, its partners, and the local community, we aim to
execute the recommendations of the Inclusive Economic Development Plan in a manner that
aligns with the values and goals of the adopted Strategic Plan. Our extensive experience and
commitment to diversity and inclusivity make us an ideal partner to help bring these strategic
objectives to fruition.
We appreciate the opportunity to submit this Statement of Interest and are eager to contribute to
the City's efforts in cultivating a strong entrepreneurial and small to medium sized business
ecosystem. Together, we can build long-term support and wealth -building opportunities for
systematically marginalized populations, fostering a more equitable and resilient Iowa City for all
its residents.
Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to the potential collaboration with the
City of Iowa City and its partners in advancing the goals of the Inclusive Economic Development
Plan and the City Council Strategic Plan.
Sincerely,
Ryan Toth
President
Aelieve Digital Marketing