Vively
A fitness trainer's CRM created ENTIRELY over zoom during the Shelter in Place order due to COVID-19.
-Cheryl Mikaye - UX Researcher, Designer
- Bianca Drevensek - UX/UI Designer
- Janae Keller - UX/UI Designer
- Rena Silverman - UX Writer
Empathize
Even before California's Shelter in Place, fitness instructors were struggling economically with an average national salary of $40k. Working for a studio does not guarantee that a fitness instructor would make the higher end of that range, and to add to that, with Shelter in Place, many of them are now unemployed.
We wanted to better understand the backend business side of an independent instructor and their pain points.
User Research
For our research, we conducted one-on-one user interviews, contextual inquiries via zoom virtual classes, and surveys via Amazon Mechanical Turk.
SURVEY AND INTERVIEW TAKEAWAYS
Our research told us that:
- 61% don’t own their own gym
- 50% are full time instructors
- 27% worked for a studio that is now closed, with 71% having independent fitness experience
Define
User Persona
In order to build a product that would empower independent fitness instructors, we had to define our user. Our research showed that our user is passionate; driven; caring; professional; optimistic; and creative. They enjoy teaching because they like to help people grow physically and mentally.
User Journey Map
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jessica could have filed for unemployment and let anxiety paralyze her. But as a true hustler, she strives to remain positive. We mapped out her journey to better understand opportunities that reduced her frustrations and empowered her.
Jess is doing well as an independent group fitness instructor. She’s been growing, but she’s juggling multiple platforms, from social media, to payment & scheduling.
With the sudden COVID19 pandemic, Jess has been required to cancel all of her classes & sessions. As her income begins to suffer, she starts thinking of solutions.
After talking with fellow trainers and roaming social media, she realizes people are now streaming online classes! She’ll turn to virtual too.
Jess is scrolling through the #virtualworkout feed on Instagram for class inspiration when she sees an ad for Vively, a business management platform & smart software for independent fitness instructors.
Jess does more research on Vively and discovers the software caters a lot to virtual fitness class creators. She decides to subscribe.
She reaches out to her clients, informing them of her new online content and platform that’ll simplify classes and communication. She live streams her first class that very evening.
Her students were able to follow the transition into the virtual class world easily and her first class went great! Her students give her direct feedback through Vively, and she is able to strengthen a few client relationships.
Even after the pandemic ends, Vively helps Jess organize her business and retain more clients. She continues to livestream her classes, post her content, and teach in-person. She’s doing better than ever!
Ideate
Problem Statement
Independent fitness instructors utilize a variety of communication and social media platforms to post content and connect with their clients in addition to POS, scheduling, and marketing apps. They are burned out managing administrative backend tasks on disparate platforms. How might we design a dashboard website/app with which independent fitness instructors can seamlessly build their brand and grow their clientele?
Value Proposition
I wanted to create a value proposition that was memorable and fun! I thought about that area between the customer's needs and the product's value and I came up with "Sweat the workout, not the software."
User Flow
We created two paper prototypes in order to conduct A/B testing. We tested 3 different features:
Creating a virtual live class on our platform with Zoom integration
Promoting the class through a live stream on social media
Scheduling a follow-up email campaign to prompt class attendees to register for their next class
We focused on these three features because we wanted to design what was essential for instructors like Jessica to have in order to continue teaching during the shelter-in-place order and grow their business.
Lo-Fidelity Prototypes
We created two paper prototypes in order to conduct A/B testing and tested 3 different features:
Creating a virtual live class on our platform with Zoom integration
Promoting the class through a live stream on social media
Scheduling a follow-up email campaign to prompt class attendees to register for their next class
We focused on these three features because we wanted to design what was essential for instructors like Jessica to have in order to continue teaching during the shelter-in-place order and grow their business.
Desktop Paper Prototype
Mobile wireframe protototype
Presentation
Next Steps
Testing
We need to run remote usability testing our hi-fidelity prototype on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Design + Iterate
We would like to:
- Finish designing all hi-fi screens, including a second way to create a class
- Create social media posts
- Iterate payment screens
- Add marketing, sales, and social media analytics screens
- Fully code product
- Use Google Analytics and HotJar
Future Ideas
- Client-facing product
- Client analytics and direct messaging (email or SMS)
- Client preferences, medical history, and waivers
- Connecting Zoom with Facebook Groups to monetize pre-recorded classes
- Integrating video client into Vively platform and including CTAs within live class screen
- Social Media Management (listen and repost client content)
- Integrated, easy website builder
KPI s
- Client conversion & retention - bookings
- Feedback - email campaigns
- Revenue
