2/5/2025 4:51:21 AM	BMG 103 Course Outline as of Fall 2013	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  BMG 103	Title:  COMM. FOR START-UPS
Full Title:  Communications for Start-Ups
Last Reviewed:1/27/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.50	Lecture Scheduled	1.50		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	26.25
Minimum	1.50	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	1.50			Contact Total	26.25
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  52.50

Total Student Learning Hours: 78.75

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Craft and develop an effective narrative and story to pitch the venture idea. Determine how to successfully communicate concepts and goals to various stakeholders and influencers throughout the product life cycle.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Craft and develop an effective narrative and story to pitch the venture idea. Determine how to successfully communicate concepts and goals to various stakeholders and influencers throughout the product life cycle.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1)  Construct effective messaging to influence potential clients, investors, associates, and stakeholders

2)  Prepare and demonstrate resonant themes that shape market attitudes and beliefs

3)  Research, craft, and compose memorable concept pitches

4)  Develop and express business objectives, features, and benefits through written, verbal, and physical communication techniques

5)  Distinguish between the appropriate use of text, e-mail, voice, Skype, and in-person communication channels

6)  Design a communications program using Public Relations (PR), social media, advertising, blogs, media advisories, presentations, white papers, magazines, and newsletters

Topics and Scope

1) The Elevator Pitch

       a. Brevity, focus, and benefits

       b. Humor, grace, and memorability

       c. Perception, attitudes, beliefs

2) Brand Messaging

       a. Storytelling & inspiring

       b. Connecting with your audience

       c. Messaging and positioning

       d. Brand narrative: curiosity, discovery, sensationalism, transformation

3) Linking to the marketing plan

       a. Strategies & tactics

       b. Branding, themes, perceptions

       c. Content management

4) Types of marketing communications

       a. Public Relations & media advisories

       b. Digital: Social Media, Blogs, Twitter, Search Engine Optmization (SEO)

       c. Presentations, and White Papers

       d. Advertising, Magazines, and Newsletters

5) Hierarchy of communications

       a. Texting, e-mail, voice, and Skype, and in-person communications

       b. Body language and unspoken communications

6) Audience-specific communications

       a. Government, regulatory, industry groups, investors

       b. Customers, end-users

       c. Channel partners

7) Linguistics

       a. Buzz words, acronyms, clichés, technical terms, and jargon

       b. Tone, focus

Assignments:

1)  Write drafts of various elevator pitches

2)  Write a brand story and narrative

3)  Write one press release and one media advisory

4)  3 to 5 In-class presentations

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 40 - 60%
Drafts, brand story and narrative
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 30%
Press release and media advisory
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 30%
In-class presentations
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Branding Basics for Small Business, by Maria Ross, Norlight Press 2012

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