3 Things we made last week
Team Letter | November 18, 2024
Happy Monday, Alpaca!
Last week, when I looked for an image to share in our team letter, I realized something important: right now, we rarely pause to document the work we create. We’ve been laser-focused on delivering results, booking meetings, and fulfilling promises to our customers. And honestly, that is the RIGHT focus! I love the trade-off there.
But every now and then, it’s really important to step back and look at what we made around here. Not just to be proud of it — although that’s a part of it — but to ask ourselves some questions:
What did we make?
Who did we make it for?
What was our goal?
Did it work?
So this week, we’re looking back at three things we made last week. Before you say it, I know — this is nowhere near all the stuff we made — this is just a few (but if you like this idea of highlighting things we made let me know and we will do it more often.) Because it’s good to look back, get curious, and think big. Ready? Ready!
Here are three things we made last week:
1. “Try Alpaca” Landing Page
This week, we launched the Try Alpaca landing page and email campaign. It’s part of our Q4 strategy to bring on as many districts and schools as possible for the spring semester, in a way that helps them experience and “try out” Alpaca in a low risk way. So here’s what we launched:
What did we make? A dedicated landing page explaining our end-of-year offer, plus an email campaign to drive leads to the landing page.
Who is it for? This landing page is for our schools and districts who are not yet Alpaca customers.
What’s the goal? The goal here is to give schools and districts a way to try out Alpaca for the second semester with low risk.
Did it work? We don’t know yet! We just launched it, but we’re excited about early engagement on the email.
2. Alpaca Pulse Demo Video
What’s that saying — “necessity is the mother of invention”? Yep. So, the FETC conference we’re attending has named us a finalist for their Edtech Top Products award. Yay! But on Tuesday, I realized we needed to send them a demo video of Alpaca Pulse. Luckily, we had a meeting set between Wednesday and Friday that forced myself to clearly delineate our priorities & roles. It feels good to get this launched & out there!
What did we make? A demo video that tells you alllllll about Alpaca Pulse.
Who is it for? Schools and districts who don’t yet know the software side — how it works and what it’s for.
What’s the goal? To engage new schools and explain the program in under three minutes.
Did it work? I think it will, but it’s too soon to tell. I’m stoked to get this on our website, in some emails, and into some stakeholders’ hands.
3. The November Pack!!!
What a team effort — not just in getting this thing out the door last week (thank you, crew!), but in the design, product selection, and resources and programming that went into creating it. I love this pack, y’all.
What did we make? Our Hidden Champions and Team Unity kit, hitting schools this month, was a complete kit for a delicious and nourishing lunch, with lovely touches for wellness.
Who is it for? This pack is going out to 170+ schools in support of 1,800 educators, including eight new customers. This pack is here to celebrate unsung heroes on our campuses, and I LOVE the idea of unsung recipients getting honored with this pack.
What’s the goal? The goal here to show love, joy, and celebration to educators who may not always be recognized. For that reason, I could not love this pack more.
Did it work? It’s early, but I’m calling it — YES. This pack achieves our new goals of best brands, things educators really want, and a personalized experience. Plus, early deliveries show that teachers are excited! I love it! Here’s an early review:
Looking Ahead
Y’all — I love being in a company that makes things — and you should be too! Every week, we launch ourselves into acts of creativity — and what results is an extraordinary suite of products, held up by a beautiful brand, in pursuit of both business success and true impact.
When it comes to bringing up your next crazy idea for something we should make → Keep saying it!
When it comes to creating and revising something that’s a little better than the last version → Keep building!
And when it comes to getting it out there and hearing from customers any feedback you can get about what we make→ KEEP GOING!
So Alpaca… what are we making this week?
kb