E-Commerce 12 Outline

  • Focus: Subscription e-commerce + AI integration + branding + marketing

Course Objectives

  • Design scalable subscription e-commerce (product + digital)
  • Integrate AI for content, service, personalization, marketing
  • Build branding, website, SEO, business plans
  • Create AI visuals, videos, ad campaigns
  • Analyze real e-commerce cases
  • Pitch complete startup

Delivery Format

  • 2 lectures/week (80 min each)
  • Hands-on labs (Canva, Wix, AI tools)
  • Guest speakers (founders, AI marketers)
  • Final Pitch Day (Week 12)

Required Tools (Free Tier)

  • Wix (website)
  • Canva Pro (student trial)
  • PosterMyWall
  • ChatGPT / Grok / Claude
  • Midjourney (Discord) or Canva AI
  • Synthesia or HeyGen (AI video)
  • Google Workspace / Microsoft 365

40-Lecture Breakdown

  • Week 1: Intro to E-Commerce 2025
    • Lecture 1: E-Commerce 2025 (size, trends, AI)
    • Lecture 2: Subscription Economy (revenue, churn, LTV)
  • Week 2: Case Studies
    • Lecture 3: Assignment #1 Intro – 5 Cases
    • Lecture 4: Workshop (Dollar Shave Club, HelloFresh, MasterClass)
  • Week 3: Ideation & Modeling
    • Lecture 5: Brainstorm Subscription Ideas
    • Lecture 6: Business Model Canvas
  • Week 4: Branding
    • Lecture 7: Name, Logo, Slogan (AI intro)
    • Lecture 8: AI Graphic Lab (Canva, Midjourney)
  • Week 5: Product Dev
    • Lecture 9: Monthly Box Curation
    • Lecture 10: Digital Tiers (SaaS, content)
  • Week 6: Website
    • Lecture 11: Wix Part 1 (Home, Nav)
    • Lecture 12: Wix Part 2 (Store, Reviews)
  • Week 7: AI Integration
    • Lecture 13: AI in E-Com (bots, predict)
    • Lecture 14: AI Content/Video (Synthesia, Canva)
  • Week 8: Marketing & SEO
    • Lecture 15: SEO (keywords, on-page)
    • Lecture 16: Content & Social Strategy
  • Week 9: Ads
    • Lecture 17: Multi-Channel Design
    • Lecture 18: AI Ad Copy & A/B
  • Week 10: Planning
    • Lecture 19: Lean Business Plan
    • Lecture 20: Financials (COGS, CAC, LTV)
  • Week 11: Operations
    • Lecture 21: Fulfillment, Support (AI bots)
    • Lecture 22: Scaling AI (inventory, pricing)
  • Week 12: Pitch
    • Lecture 23: Pitch Deck (15 slides)
    • Lecture 24: Pitch Day (Shark Tank)
  • Lectures 25–40: Labs
    • Project work
    • Peer review
    • AI tool mastery

Assignment #1 – Subscription Case Studies

  • 15 Slides | 3 per Business | Due Week 4
  • Goal: Analyze 5 real + create 1 original
  • Part A: 5 Case Studies (3 slides each)
    • Slide 1: Name, Logo, History, Demographics, Problem
    • Slide 2: Products, Pricing, Flexibility, Competition
    • Slide 3: Reviews, Pros/Cons, Social Plan
    • Examples: FabFitFun, BarkBox, Adobe CC, Calm, ButcherBox, Stitch Fix, Blue Apron, Duolingo Plus
  • Part B: Original Subscription (Monthly Product)
    • Name (e.g., MindfulMornings Box)
    • Logo (Canva AI)
    • First 6 Months Products (e.g., M1: Journal+Tea+Cards)
    • Pricing: Basic $29, Standard $49, Premium $79
    • Boxing Design (Canva mockup)
    • AI Video: 30-sec unboxing (Synthesia/Canva)
    • Celebrity Billboard (PosterMyWall + AI)
    • Website (Wix): Home, Gallery, Video, Store, Reviews, Merch, Story
  • Bonus: Second Related Model
    • Name, Logo, 6 Months, Pricing, Boxing, AI Video, Billboard

Assignment #2 – AI-Powered E-Com Company

  • Digital/Service | 3 Tiers | Due Week 11 | Pitch Week 12
  • Core Deliverables
    • Company Name (e.g., GrowthFlow AI)
    • Logo (Canva AI)
    • Slogan (ChatGPT, e.g., “Scale Smarter with AI”)
    • 3 Tiers:
      • Starter $19/mo
      • Pro $79/mo
      • Enterprise $299/mo
    • Vehicle Wrap (Canva)
    • Billboard (PosterMyWall, QR)
    • Merch: T-shirt, Mug, Stickers (Canva)
    • Website (Wix): AI demo, Pricing, Blog, Contact
    • Business Plan (5-page Google Doc)
    • SEO Plan (50 keywords, calendar – Sheets)
    • AI Plan: Chatbot, Content, Email personalization
  • Bonus: Ad Campaign (7 Pieces)
    • Print Ad (Canva, magazine)
    • Web Ad (Canva, 300×250)
    • Bus Stop (PosterMyWall)
    • Event Poster (Canva, sponsorship)
    • Hot Air Balloon (Midjourney + Canva)
    • Bus Ad (Canva wrap)
    • Building Sign (Canva 3D mockup)
  • AI Tools
    • Graphics: Canva Magic, Midjourney
    • Video: Synthesia, HeyGen, Canva AI
    • Copy: ChatGPT, Grok
    • Mockups: PosterMyWall, Placeit

Rubrics

  • Assignment #1 (15%)
    • Case Depth: 4=All 11 elements insightful | 3=Most clear | 2=Some vague | 1=Incomplete
    • Original Creativity: 4=Unique/viable | 3=Solid | 2=Generic | 1=Unclear
    • Visuals: 4=Pro/on-brand | 3=Good | 2=Basic | 1=Poor
    • Website: 4=Functional/UX | 3=Mostly | 2=Broken | 1=None
    • Bonus: 4=Both | 3=One | 2=Attempt | 1=None
  • Assignment #2 (25%)
    • Branding: 4=Unified | 3=Mostly | 2=Mismatch | 1=Inconsistent
    • Tiers: 4=Clear/scalable/AI | 3=Defined | 2=Vague | 1=Missing
    • AI Plan: 4=Specific/ROI | 3=General | 2=Mention | 1=None
    • Marketing: 4=All 7+ | 3=5–6 | 2=3–4 | 1=<3
    • Business Plan: 4=Financials/market | 3=Basic | 2=Outline | 1=Missing
    • Pitch: 4=Confident/Q&A | 3=Clear | 2=Hesitant | 1=Unprepared

Final Grade

  • Assignment #1: 40%
  • Assignment #2: 40%
  • FInal Assignment: 20%

Extras: Request Canva/Wix templates, AI prompts, pitch slides