By: S.C. TreeHouse LLC
Last updated 6.25.18
Last updated 6.25.18
Business Plan
Summary
Storytellers, is a multi-faceted transmedia company (established in 2010) providing services to story creators to assist throughout the entire creative process, from conception to completion. With a heart for unity among the christian storytellers of the world, Storytellers has the potential to branch into new venues as the company and the Christian Media and Entertainment industry grows. Storytellers was obtained by S.C. TreeHouse LLC (established in 2009) in 2013 as part of a 10 year expiation strategy (2013 - 2023). As a transmedia company, Storytellers currently provides services within the Film & TV, Books & Publishing, Theater & Dance, Games & VR, Web & Video, Comics & Animation, Photos & Art, as well as Radio & Podcast industries. There are currently three phases to the expiation strategy, beginning in 2013 - 2017 with the development of our online division. By developing this division first to include 5 main services to members, who pay a monthly subscription, we have generated revenue to assist in the growth of two other divisions; the education & studio (2019 - 2022), and the business to business division (2018 - 2019).
THE ONLINE DIVISION provides a system of online services to storytellers that walks a creator through the entire creative process, from conception to completion. This system centers around online portfolios designed for members to share their works and have them properly credited across multiple leading industry platforms (i.e. IMDb, Cast- it, Backstage, CFDb and many others). The online services also help to connect “creators” to businesses and projects that are looking to hire. Our operations manual is a business system designed to produce the maximum number of connections of approved and vetted portfolio to jobs per week while maintaining a rigid standard for quality. Through a partnership with the independent transmedia production company, S.C. TreeHouse LLC, we have access to the over 1,900 of their currently established partners and customers.
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THE EDUCATION & STUDIO DIVISION provides specialized transmedia education and studio production services on a wide range of hand-picked projects, depending upon the client's needs. This division will offer studio facilities, located across the USA, for use by Artists, Filmmakers, Theaters, Authors, Singers/Songwriters, Radio productions, Publishers, and Transmedia productions. By 2022 this division will operate 3 fully functioning transmedia studio facilities across the USA with the first studio (also serving as corporate headquarters) located in the Tennessee/Georgia area opening in 2019. We will develop this division into a self-sufficient branch by 2022.
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THE BUSINESS TO BUSINESS (B2B) DIVISION provides portfolio and résumé solutions to colleges and universities for use among their communication students. This service provide resume hosting for students as well as a job connection service to help students connect with businesses and projects looking to hire. Currently this is the only IMDb accredited résumé solution for colleges and universities for listing students’ works across industry leading databases.
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After five years of development and industry practice, our website is complete. We are ready to start building online résumés and providing digital services to Storytellers. Selecting only the best, we will gather an impressive selection of dedicated quality "creators". Market research shows that every day, “creators” need one or more kind(s) of media services either local, regional or national, to complete their daily goals. Many subscribe to costly services, with little choice for personalized customization to their needs. Storytellers will provide them with quality tools and services offered in "custom packages" which these “creators” can use for any time, any day, any project. This division of Storytellers is meeting two needs. First, those of “creators” anxious to produce professional projects and for an introduction into the industry. By promoting them and their projects and publishing their résumés on our website, we're helping them get that first foot in the door. Secondly, the needs of businesses and projects which are looking for vetted talented “creators” to hire.
Objectives
Short Term:
- Through a partnership with S.C. TreeHouse LLC, launch a free “beta” system of an online social network and portfolio database with services for storytellers by the end of March 2018. The system will follow a business model designed to operate at maximum efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of member quality through peer vetting of each profile and credit submission, creating a credible reputation among the industry.
- Hold free once or twice a month live streams to engage with members of the above stated “beta” system and the general public and keep them up-to-date with important updates to the “beta” system and the entertainment industry. This will help to establish the company as a reliable resource for the industry.
- Host two challenges in the summer of 2018 to encourage storytellers to create Films and Novels over the summer. Publish/distribute the winnering creations through stores and online vendors giving the creators 80% of the profits for life.
- By the end of May 2018, publish this business plan online and invite the public to comment their suggestions on it. Thus gaining insights as to what each group/kind of storytellers needs from us and our services moving forward.
- By the end of 2018, obtain 3,000+ signatures from storytellers across the world who want to have a series of Storytelling studios and camps built around the USA and eventually the world.
- Generate a member base of 1,000 storytellers to be using the full paid for system at its launch in mid to late 2018. This will help to raise the capital for operating the studio facilities to keep the renting rate of the studios the lowest possible for people.
- Open dialog with all local entertainment entities within the Chattanooga / Cleveland area.
Long Term:
- B2B Division increases to 500 schools/productions by the end of 2022.
- Build the very first storytellers studio/camp in Tennessee to open by summer 2019.
- Open two new studios per year in various markets throughout the USA. i.e., Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York, Michigan. Each studio following our business system to maintain consistency and reputation/quality control.
- Launch a web based streaming service for video/film, radio/music, and digital books to be included as part of the full online Storytellers system.
- Maintain a profit, to reinvest into business and further expansion.
- Explained distributing contracts to include all major and minor online and physical outlets for story distribution.
- Obtain recognition as a God honoring storytelling union among all areas of the entertainment industry. i.e., Film & TV, Books & Publishing, Radio & Music, Theater & Dance, Gaming & VR.
Keys to Success
Online Division:
- Product quality. Begins with a complete customer's understanding of what we are trying to do and offer for them. Customers should be comfortable joining the Storytellers system and letting us handle their treasured portfolios and credits, and should be completely satisfied with the services we provide them as well as the leads and jobs we help to send their way.
- Public visibility. Keeping the public informed as to what we are doing and plan to next.
- Implementation of business system. Every employee should be fully trained and able to assist other employees in the goals and objectives as defined within the business system. This ensures that the first key to success is achieved.
- Service partnerships. There are thousands of great services out there for storytellers, and there is no need for us to reinvent the wheel when they already exist. Instead we will partner with them to offer our customers free or discounted access to those services provided by other companies.
- Vetting members. By vetting each and every member and credit on their portfolio we insure a strong reputation as a place to find only the best creators among the industry.
- Credit/portfolio syncing. Syncing the portfolios and credits of our customers on other industry standard databases (i.e. IMDb, Cast-it, Backstage) creates a menger/agent level of value for our customers that they can not get from any other network or database.
- Marketing. Initial market saturation within key customer demographics is essential, followed by an extensive referral program, as outlined in the business system guidelines. Presentations to select demographics, such as young filmmakers and writers is vital. Building alliances with our customers by offering co-promotions programs (such as Creator of The Month, Way of The Storyteller, and Story Challenges) is key to further growth.
- Referral program. This division will not actively seek customers, but will operate through referrals from members. A well-defined web of referrals and incentives for people to share will contribute to the consistency of client's expectations and this division's output.
Education and Studio Division:
- Product quality/customer satisfaction. All studios must meet the complete satisfaction of the client, regardless of genre, medium, or size. Employees must be trained to anticipate client's needs and company's ability to meet these needs. No project is too small to ignore the importance of quality and customer satisfaction. We are here to help every storyteller from conception to completion of their ideas.
- Junior and Senior management. Studios will run through an elaborate system where most management and corporate position has both a junior and senior officer who work together to provide a balance between the safe wisdom of experience and bold actions of naivety. This Junior/Senior management cycling provides job security, keeps this division always inventing new and imaginative ways to shape the future, while also allowing investors the security of knowing that each innovation is backed by years of industry experience.
- On project learning. Research has proven that the fastest and best way to learn is by doing. By offering students real world learning opportunity we not only help to build unity and an educated workforce we provide guaranteed valuable interns for the projects coming to use the studios.
- Cost dispersion. Through a unique proven method of cost dispersion we are able to offer use of our studios free to Storyteller members and at cost + 10% for all other projects. This allows us to offer the lowest studio prices in the country and offer a guarantee that we will match any studio’s prices plus take off an extra 10% too.
Business to Business Division:
- Product quality. Extensive review of each student’s work submitted. Guidelines sent to professors to encourage the improving development of these works.
- Marketing. Consistent, repetitious and personal contacting of colleges, universities, technical schools, as well as incoming projects. Custom alerts notifying students and schools of upcoming projects to their area. Mobile apps, email and mail-in newsletters, and a personal constantly updated website for each school promoting the students their projects.
- Management. On-time product delivery. Budgets under control. Legal and accounting advice concerning new development or budgeting, such as QuickBooks instruction and copyright/trademark requirements.
- Personal local representatives. Each school will have its own representative from Storytellers who will handle the accounts and personal management needs of that one school. Providing a satisfying expert service to each school.
Mission
In the here and now we might be providing a service, but in the eternal we are building God’s kingdom.
While Storytellers Services, LLC. operates as a service provider for storytellers, its purpose is to create and encourage unity, personal learning, opportunities, innovations, and trust among God’s body of believes. Now, everyone who reads this, hold us to it!
The online division creates portfolios, credits, and a networking involvement, but its purpose is to provide strength through unity. Customers must trust that we cherish their hard work and will produce every portfolio and make every job connection as if it was for our own families. Our employees must feel equal to the standards expected of them, and feel free to contribute new ideas to improve upon our business model. Employees are also our internal customers, and should be treated with the same respect given to customers.
The studio and education division maintains an open mind to new innovations, so the client understands that their professional or educational goal is our objective. While we will suggest alternatives and bring our experience to the table, we hold the client's goal as the primary target. If we cannot achieve our client's goal, we will present that information in our initial encounter and suggest other possible production means, rather than altering the project to our comfort level.
The business to business division of Storytellers Services, LLC. understands the frustrations and needs of educational environments, and the desire of students to become part of the industry. Using skills developed through working with colleges and industry professionals, Storytellers Services LLC. provides a service and a product which match the quality and expectations of the industry but with the usability and educational purpose of an educational environment. It makes professional experience accessible to hundreds of students every year. It unites students with projects and provides them portfolios according to industry quality standards. While keeping these standards high, it makes a profit and generates cash. It provides a personal service and guidance system to students. It provides a professional service and an invaluable opportunity to the industry. And Storytellers Services LLC. constantly searches for innovative new project ideas to take this company to the next level, while loyally serving its clients in every possible capacity.
While Storytellers Services, LLC. operates as a service provider for storytellers, its purpose is to create and encourage unity, personal learning, opportunities, innovations, and trust among God’s body of believes. Now, everyone who reads this, hold us to it!
The online division creates portfolios, credits, and a networking involvement, but its purpose is to provide strength through unity. Customers must trust that we cherish their hard work and will produce every portfolio and make every job connection as if it was for our own families. Our employees must feel equal to the standards expected of them, and feel free to contribute new ideas to improve upon our business model. Employees are also our internal customers, and should be treated with the same respect given to customers.
The studio and education division maintains an open mind to new innovations, so the client understands that their professional or educational goal is our objective. While we will suggest alternatives and bring our experience to the table, we hold the client's goal as the primary target. If we cannot achieve our client's goal, we will present that information in our initial encounter and suggest other possible production means, rather than altering the project to our comfort level.
The business to business division of Storytellers Services, LLC. understands the frustrations and needs of educational environments, and the desire of students to become part of the industry. Using skills developed through working with colleges and industry professionals, Storytellers Services LLC. provides a service and a product which match the quality and expectations of the industry but with the usability and educational purpose of an educational environment. It makes professional experience accessible to hundreds of students every year. It unites students with projects and provides them portfolios according to industry quality standards. While keeping these standards high, it makes a profit and generates cash. It provides a personal service and guidance system to students. It provides a professional service and an invaluable opportunity to the industry. And Storytellers Services LLC. constantly searches for innovative new project ideas to take this company to the next level, while loyally serving its clients in every possible capacity.
