Your idea.
Your partner
PARLAY ADVISORS
Through our many years of experience contributing to the development of technology organizations, we know how to strategically drive business opportunities, execute and make it happen!
Who we are
Parlay is a team of strategic thinkers, innovators entrepreneurs and idea people themselves, with practical hands-on experience in the process of app development and the lengthy checklist that comes with the process.
Parlay Advisors LLC is a US based technology advisor that helps guide first-timers through the challenging (and often grueling) process of turning their ideas into real revenue generating app and web businesses using proven, self-taught experiences during every step of the process.
What we do
We provide a full suite of technology advisory services ranging from idea vetting to accelerating growth. A large part of our service offering is to help you short cut as many processes as possible (saving you tons of time and money) by guiding you to well referenced and proven service providers that will help you you make progress faster via our streamlined approach and deep bench of global relationships.
What we do
We provide a full suite of technology advisory services ranging from idea vetting to accelerating growth. A large part of our service offering is to help you short cut as many processes as possible (saving you tons of time and money) by guiding you to well referenced and proven service providers that will help you you make progress faster via our streamlined approach and deep bench of global relationships.
Why we matter
Our small team of hyper-connected advisors has over 30 years of technology start-up, business development, marketing and consulting experiences. We have built our own apps and have strong relationships at just about every turn in the process. So much of the critical vetting of service providers is done, thus simplifying your first experience into the "unknown app world".
Parlay is a team of strategic thinkers, innovators entrepreneurs and idea people themselves, with practical hands-on experience in the process of app development and the lengthy checklist that comes with the process.
Through our many years of experience contributing to the development of technology organizations, we know how to strategically drive business opportunities, execute and make it happen!
Our small team of hyper-connected advisors has over 30 years of technology start-up, business development, marketing and consulting experiences. We have built our own apps and have strong relationships at just about every turn in the process. So much of the critical vetting of service providers is done, thus simplifying your first experience into the "unknown app world".
Parlay is a team of strategic thinkers, innovators entrepreneurs and idea people themselves, with practical hands-on experience in the process of app development and the lengthy checklist that comes with the process.
Through our many years of experience contributing to the development of technology organizations, we know how to strategically drive business opportunities, execute and make it happen!
Our services
Idea development
Ideas are everywhere. We will help you determine how real your idea is and help you figure out what the potential market opportunities may or may not be.
Business, revenue
How will your app make money? What do others in the space charge? We can help with this critical part of the process.
Competitive analysis
We can help you identify the competitive landscape and prepare an analysis on differences so that your differentiator(s) can clearly stand out and your value proposition well defined.
App development,
publishing requirements
publishing requirements
It may seem simple and straight forward but it's not. Apple for example requires any app developer who wants to build and sell apps on its platform to provide a DUNS number and more. You also need a company bank account that matches your DUNS number.
Web site development (content creation, blog, etc)
This is an area where we have a lot of hands on experience and where we can provide excellent guidance, advice and assistance helping move your ideas to the web.
Brand development
(logo design, tagline)
(logo design, tagline)
This again is an area where we have a lot of hands on experience and where we can provide excellent guidance, advice and assistance helping directly or indirectly.
and more..
Basic information
App development consideration (on-shore or off-shore)? Advantages / disadvantages
This is a really critical part of the process and one where precious money and time will be invested. It is absolutely imperative that you get this part right – or you risk losing A LOT!
Development pricing structure. What is reasonable?
Once you decide on the developer, you want to make sure the pricing structure and schedule meets your budget. Hourly or contract rate are options we can help you through.
Public relations strategy
Over the years, we have developed a deep bench of relationships at leading publications ranging from Tech Crunch, Computerworld, CNET, 9to5Mac, Android Headlines and hundreds of others. We can help you craft compelling introductions based on years of experience, knowing how to help make your message stand out amongst the hundreds of inquiries bloggers receive daily.
Paid advertising strategy to help drive initial traffic
We can help determine how much to spend and where you can get the best bang for your buck, provided that budget permits for paid campaigns. Some sources of paid advertising are more cost effective (Facebook typically cheaper than Google) and we can make recommendations and also create lists of keywords for you to see how much each costs to drive clicks.
This is a really critical part of the process and one where precious money and time will be invested. It is absolutely imperative that you get this part right – or you risk losing A LOT!
Development pricing structure. What is reasonable?
Once you decide on the developer, you want to make sure the pricing structure and schedule meets your budget. Hourly or contract rate are options we can help you through.
Public relations strategy
Over the years, we have developed a deep bench of relationships at leading publications ranging from Tech Crunch, Computerworld, CNET, 9to5Mac, Android Headlines and hundreds of others. We can help you craft compelling introductions based on years of experience, knowing how to help make your message stand out amongst the hundreds of inquiries bloggers receive daily.
Paid advertising strategy to help drive initial traffic
We can help determine how much to spend and where you can get the best bang for your buck, provided that budget permits for paid campaigns. Some sources of paid advertising are more cost effective (Facebook typically cheaper than Google) and we can make recommendations and also create lists of keywords for you to see how much each costs to drive clicks.
Legal information
Making sure domain and social media names are available (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
This is a step you can probably handle but you should think about all the channels that one day may be distribution for you – so registering more than less is always good. We can help you think this through.
Trademark search for company / app name (at least in US)
You will want to have a patent attorney search for any similar names as you decide what you want your app will be called. We will refer you to the people who can research this for you.
Legal formation of entity (LLC, S or C Corp.)
We are not legal advisors but we can direct you to reasonably priced attorneys who specialize in working with start-ups and who will speak with you initially at no cost and direct you down the correct path. There is no one size solution here that fits all.
Strategic advisor strategies to form for advisory board (what to look for in candidates)
When the time is right, we can help find ideal advisors who will add credibility to your story and reasons for people to care about your vision.
Introductions to prospective investors (angels, friends and family, etc.)
We are connected to hundreds of investors who can be approached depending on your apps market and vision. This is an important strategic piece that you should be thinking about from the start.
Patenting your app (if applicable)
If you think that your idea and app is patentable, we can connect you to reasonably priced attorneys who will help you through this process.
This is a step you can probably handle but you should think about all the channels that one day may be distribution for you – so registering more than less is always good. We can help you think this through.
Trademark search for company / app name (at least in US)
You will want to have a patent attorney search for any similar names as you decide what you want your app will be called. We will refer you to the people who can research this for you.
Legal formation of entity (LLC, S or C Corp.)
We are not legal advisors but we can direct you to reasonably priced attorneys who specialize in working with start-ups and who will speak with you initially at no cost and direct you down the correct path. There is no one size solution here that fits all.
Strategic advisor strategies to form for advisory board (what to look for in candidates)
When the time is right, we can help find ideal advisors who will add credibility to your story and reasons for people to care about your vision.
Introductions to prospective investors (angels, friends and family, etc.)
We are connected to hundreds of investors who can be approached depending on your apps market and vision. This is an important strategic piece that you should be thinking about from the start.
Patenting your app (if applicable)
If you think that your idea and app is patentable, we can connect you to reasonably priced attorneys who will help you through this process.
Launch of the project
Identifying target market
Mark Zuckerberg started with Facebook for Harvard, expanded across the Ivy League, etc. We can work through pros and cons of ideal initial target market. Pick your lane and fly down it!
Identify go to market strategy
How do you want to introduce your product to the market? Will you place banner ads, buy Facebook traffic, start a viral campaign? Big area where we have lots of experience.
MVP (most viable product) release
Many first time entrepreneurs want their app to include every bell and whistle of their vision from the start. Trust us we have learned first-hand that this is not the way you want to do this. Pick one main idea that you want to see working in the app and make it work great.
Beta testing
There is a strategy to finding beta testers. We can help you determine where your potential customer base is hanging out, and together we can identify how to get the lowest hanging fruit in line to try it. This is not trivial and takes a thoughtful, well planned strategy.
Official launch
This is your big day. Hopefully we will be sharing it together and helping you plan for it months in advance.
Payment support (PayPal, Banks, etc.)
How do you envision your customers paying? We can make recommendations here.
Video creation containing overview of your app / idea
When the time is right, you may want to consider creating an animated video or regular video that shows screens and provides an overview of your app. We can refer you to many creators.
Apple App Store & Google Play Store internal introductions (for global featuring)
We have key relationships inside both Apple and Google. These relationships are invaluable and identifying who can be your advocate internally and who can help your app be featured, considered for publicity, etc. is challenging (for outsiders). We can help here when the time is right.
Mark Zuckerberg started with Facebook for Harvard, expanded across the Ivy League, etc. We can work through pros and cons of ideal initial target market. Pick your lane and fly down it!
Identify go to market strategy
How do you want to introduce your product to the market? Will you place banner ads, buy Facebook traffic, start a viral campaign? Big area where we have lots of experience.
MVP (most viable product) release
Many first time entrepreneurs want their app to include every bell and whistle of their vision from the start. Trust us we have learned first-hand that this is not the way you want to do this. Pick one main idea that you want to see working in the app and make it work great.
Beta testing
There is a strategy to finding beta testers. We can help you determine where your potential customer base is hanging out, and together we can identify how to get the lowest hanging fruit in line to try it. This is not trivial and takes a thoughtful, well planned strategy.
Official launch
This is your big day. Hopefully we will be sharing it together and helping you plan for it months in advance.
Payment support (PayPal, Banks, etc.)
How do you envision your customers paying? We can make recommendations here.
Video creation containing overview of your app / idea
When the time is right, you may want to consider creating an animated video or regular video that shows screens and provides an overview of your app. We can refer you to many creators.
Apple App Store & Google Play Store internal introductions (for global featuring)
We have key relationships inside both Apple and Google. These relationships are invaluable and identifying who can be your advocate internally and who can help your app be featured, considered for publicity, etc. is challenging (for outsiders). We can help here when the time is right.
Planning and Analysis
Social media / editorial calendar
Depending on your app category, you will definitely want to have some kind of calendar where Tweets, Facebook posts, blog posts and more are planned and created in advance providing a steady flow of content to drive traffic.
Metrics – What do sophisticated investors look for?
Tere's another area where we have deep experience. Numbers matter always and we can guide you through the process and help determine which do and don't matter.
Best analytical tools for your idea to granularly track progress
Many tools today like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Flurry and others will help track certain activities around user engagement for your app. Which one(s) right for you? We can help you decide and implement.
Business Plan & Executive Summary development
Every app and business needs a basic business plan and an executive summary. We can help you write and develop yours. It's a living document that will require regular updating.
Accelerators (Techstars, Y-Combinator, 500 Start-Ups, etc.).
Accelerators are an excellent option for early stage start-ups. Many provide mentorship, investment, connections and more. You have to apply and getting accepted is highly competitive. If accepted, most accelerators will invest amounts usually ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 in exchange for 5-8% of your company with at least a few month commitment of in-office mandatory attendance.
Depending on your app category, you will definitely want to have some kind of calendar where Tweets, Facebook posts, blog posts and more are planned and created in advance providing a steady flow of content to drive traffic.
Metrics – What do sophisticated investors look for?
Tere's another area where we have deep experience. Numbers matter always and we can guide you through the process and help determine which do and don't matter.
Best analytical tools for your idea to granularly track progress
Many tools today like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Flurry and others will help track certain activities around user engagement for your app. Which one(s) right for you? We can help you decide and implement.
Business Plan & Executive Summary development
Every app and business needs a basic business plan and an executive summary. We can help you write and develop yours. It's a living document that will require regular updating.
Accelerators (Techstars, Y-Combinator, 500 Start-Ups, etc.).
Accelerators are an excellent option for early stage start-ups. Many provide mentorship, investment, connections and more. You have to apply and getting accepted is highly competitive. If accepted, most accelerators will invest amounts usually ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 in exchange for 5-8% of your company with at least a few month commitment of in-office mandatory attendance.
References
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