Email’s Epps Era: Transforming Customer and Employee Engagement

Published June 29, 2024

1

Yesterday and Tomorrow

When I discuss email with marketers in India, I often encounter various reactions:

• Who even looks at email today? It’s full of spam.
• My inbox? It only has ads and receipts.
• Email is for oldies. The young have moved on to WhatsApp.
• Email’s ROAS is lower than SMS and WhatsApp.
• Our open rates and CTRs are so low. The creative and content effort isn’t worth it.
• What is email good for?

I listen to their frustrations, correct some misconceptions, and then introduce them to the new world of email that’s on the horizon:

• Indian customers may not be opening your emails, but did you know that over 100 million Indians open at least one email daily? This number rises to over 150 million in a month. They may not be opening your email, but they are definitely opening other emails.
• Big changes are coming to email. Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft are making it harder for spam to reach the inbox. BIMI ensures that brand emails are clearly identified.
• When done right, there’s no better channel than email for branding and engagement. If you had a million customers to interact with daily, sending an SMS would cost Rs 5 crore a year, while WhatsApp would cost Rs 30 crore a year. In contrast, email costs just Rs 35 lakh a year.
• WhatsApp is excellent for bottom-of-funnel conversations and real-time alerts (like flight gate changes), but for all other use cases, email is superior.
• Reaching customers is becoming harder with WhatsApp due to new limits on the number of marketing messages that can be sent to consumers.
• In the US, 20-40% of eCommerce revenue comes from emails.
• Generative AI will dramatically reduce email creation costs.
• You’re describing yesterday’s one-way emails. Tomorrow’s emails will be two-way, reducing frictions and increasing actions within emails by 5-15X.
• As for the young moving away from email, that’s about to change as email apps (“Epps”) make email exciting again. Epps will go a long way in solving the inbox open problem and making email cool once again.

The good news is that push channels are evolving into what I term “Channels 2.0.” Email, RCS, and WhatsApp are all becoming interactive, reducing friction for consumers. In-channel conversion is making inbox commerce, banking, broking, and more possible. “Agentic AI” will enable hyper-personalisation as a new world of Large Customer Models, Digital Twins, Co-Marketer, Mirror World, and Generative Journeys come to life. Marketers will be able to influence actions and reduce attention recession by building hotlines, anticipate intent with “N=1 data intelligence,” and stay a step ahead of customers. This new world of higher LTV and lower CAC will enhance brand profitability.

Central to this future will be Epps, bringing the 5 As to the email inbox: attraction, attention, action, addiction (in a good way), and acquisition (growing email’s overall user base). The era of Epps is coming – and it will herald the golden age of martech, enabling better engagement, conversion, and retention, thereby reducing AdWaste and increasing profitability.

In this essay, I will delve deeper into Epps and explore how they will pave the way for a new ’email-verse’ that revolutionises digital engagement.

2

Power

Epps embody the transformative potential of email, bringing together the 5 As:

• Attraction: Epps draw users in with unique content and experiences to the inbox. Epps will make users want to check their inbox multiple times a day.
• Attention: By providing interactive and personalised experiences, Epps hold the users’ focus and encourage them to spend more time within the email – and therefore the inbox.
• Action: Epps enable users to complete tasks directly within the email, such as making a purchase, booking an appointment, or filling out a form, thereby driving higher engagement and conversions.
• Addiction: Epps create a compelling user experience that encourages repeated interactions, turning email into a habitual touchpoint.
• Acquisition: Epps help grow the email user base by attracting new users, including those who primarily use other messaging platforms like WhatsApp, thereby expanding the reach and influence of email.

Here is a summary from my previous essay which shows the transformative power of Epps.

Key Characteristics

• Use AMP in Email: Leverage AMP technology to create interactive and dynamic experiences within the inbox, transforming static emails into app-like interfaces.
• Multi-Screen Implementations: Handle complex, multi-step processes across multiple screens within a single email, mimicking the experience of using a mobile app or website.
• Backend Database Interaction: Connect to backend databases for real-time data fetching and submission, ensuring personalized and up-to-date content.
• Dynamic Updates: Update dynamically each time the email is opened, providing the most recent information or status, ideal for real-time applications.
• Self-Contained Functionality: Fully functional within the email, eliminating the need to visit external websites or apps, enhancing user convenience.
• No Companion Website or App: Operate entirely within the email inbox, distinguishing Epps from traditional digital experiences and positioning them as standalone solutions for engagement, interaction, and transactions.

Epps as a Game Changer

• Interactive Experiences: Transform static emails into engaging, interactive platforms that can handle various user tasks without leaving the inbox.
• Enhanced User Navigation: Allow seamless navigation through different sections and forms within the email, similar to using a mobile app or website.
• Real-Time Data Updates: Ensure that users always see the most current information, such as latest scores, live polls, or event updates.
• Increased User Convenience: Reduce friction by enabling users to complete necessary actions directly within the email.
• Stand-Alone Engagement: Function independently from websites and apps, serving as a primary platform for user interaction and engagement.
• Potential to Replace Traditional Platforms: Offer a more integrated and user-friendly experience that could replace traditional websites and mobile apps for certain use cases.

Epps in Brand Strategy

• Third Major Property for Brands: Alongside websites and mobile apps, Epps can serve as a critical property for brand engagement and interaction.
• Independent Operation: Each platform (website, mobile app, Epp) has its unique strengths and can operate independently, offering flexibility in brand strategy.
• Evolving Digital Presence: As businesses shifted from websites to mobile apps, a similar trend may occur with Epps, with websites primarily capturing subscriptions and showcasing Epps.
• Primary Platform for Engagement: Epps have the potential to become the main platform for user engagement, reducing reliance on traditional websites and apps.

By embodying these characteristics, Epps represent a significant evolution in email technology, offering a more integrated, interactive, and user-friendly experience that can revolutionise how brands engage with their audience. As I wrote: “The power of push, the familiarity of the inbox, and the interactivity of Epps create a compelling platform for capturing attention, driving engagement, and facilitating actions – exactly what brands need to maximise conversions.”

3

Consumer Epps – 1

Epps will revolutionise how we interact with apps by reimagining many we are familiar with and creating new ones that reside entirely within the inbox. This innovation eliminates the need to navigate through dozens of apps across various screens on a mobile phone. Epps can be “starred” in Gmail for easy access via the “Starred” folder. Atomic Rewards in the form of Mu can incentivise email opens and actions. AMP’s ability to dynamically fetch content ensures that each time the email is opened, the content is fresh and up-to-date. A single email in Gmail’s or Yahoo’s starred folder can provide fresh content for 30 days, helping to declutter the inbox. [AMP emails have a validity of 30 days.]

With this background, let’s reimagine some of the common apps for news, sports, and stocks as Epps.

News Epps

• Real-Time Updates: With AMP’s dynamic content capabilities, news Epps can provide live updates on breaking news, weather alerts, and trending stories, ensuring users always have the latest information at their fingertips.
• Personalised News Feeds: Users can receive tailored news updates based on their preferences and reading history. Epps can curate articles from various sources, ensuring that readers get the most relevant and interesting content. (Think of an RSS reader as an Epp.)
• Interactive Features: News Epps can include polls, quizzes, and comment sections, allowing readers to engage with the content and other users directly within the email.
• Action Ads: Traditional newsletters from media sites aim to drive clicks to their website or app to monetise attention through display ads. With Epps, these ads can be seamlessly integrated within the email itself and made actionable. The ad’s landing page can be incorporated directly into the email, eliminating any friction in the response process, thus potentially increasing monetisation.

Sports Epps

• Live Scores and Highlights: Sports Epps can deliver real-time scores and play-by-play updates directly to the inbox. Users can stay updated on their favourite teams and events from the inbox without needing to open the app.
• Fantasy Sports Integration: Fans can manage their fantasy sports teams, track player performances, and make real-time changes based on live game data, all within the email.
• Interactive Schedules and Tickets: Users can view upcoming game schedules, purchase tickets, and set reminders for their favourite matches, making it easier to stay connected with the sports world.

Stocks Epps

• Personal Portfolio Management: Stocks Epps can provide users with a comprehensive view of their investment portfolios, including real-time stock prices, performance metrics, and personalised insights.
• Market News and Analysis: Investors can receive curated news and analysis related to their investments, ensuring they are always informed about market trends and company updates.
• Trading and Alerts: Users can execute trades, set price alerts, and receive notifications about significant market movements, enabling them to make timely investment decisions directly from their inbox.

4

Consumer Epps – 2

I asked ChatGPT for suggestions on which other apps could be converted into Epps. Here are its suggestions.

1. E-commerce and Shopping
   • Interactive Catalogs: Browse products, view details, and make purchases directly within the email.
   • Personalized Offers: Receive tailored discounts and promotions based on shopping behavior and preferences.
2. Travel and Hospitality
   • Booking and Reservations: Search for flights, hotels, and rental cars, and complete bookings within the email.
   • Itinerary Management: View and manage travel itineraries, receive real-time updates, and access travel documents.
3. Finance and Banking
   • Account Management: Check account balances, view transaction history, and perform banking activities without leaving the inbox.
   • Loan Applications: Apply for loans and track application status directly within the email.
4. Health and Fitness
   • Appointment Scheduling: Book, reschedule, or cancel medical appointments within the email.
   • Fitness Tracking: Monitor workouts, set goals, and track progress using interactive charts and updates.
5. Entertainment and Media
   • Streaming Schedules: View and set reminders for upcoming shows and live events.
   • Interactive Content: Engage with multimedia content, participate in polls, and leave comments directly within the email.
6. Education and E-learning
   • Course Enrollment: Register for courses, view schedules, and access learning materials.
   • Progress Tracking: Monitor learning progress, view grades, and interact with course content.
7. Real Estate
   • Property Listings: Browse and interact with property listings, schedule viewings, and contact agents.
   • Virtual Tours: Experience interactive virtual tours of properties within the email.
8. Food and Dining
   • Online Ordering: Browse menus, place orders, and make reservations at restaurants.
   • Recipe Collections: Access and save recipes, watch cooking videos, and create shopping lists.
9. Event Management
   • Event Registration: Sign up for events, view schedules, and receive event updates.
   • Ticketing: Purchase and store event tickets, and receive reminders and notifications.
10. Nonprofits and Fundraising
    • Donation Drives: Make donations, track contributions, and receive updates on impact within the email.
    • Volunteer Coordination: Sign up for volunteer opportunities and track volunteer hours.

**

Two other exciting categories for Epps are quizzes and games. I previously discussed examples such as QShots and IndiaVotes YouPredict in my earlier essay. Imagine receiving some of the New York Times Games or LinkedIn Games as Epps directly in your inbox. For instance, I often play the free versions of the New York Times Games, but there are many days when I forget to open the app. An equivalent Epp would arrive in my inbox daily, significantly reducing the likelihood of me missing out.

Epps for quizzes and games offer several advantages. By delivering interactive content directly to the inbox, Epps can foster daily engagement and ensure users never miss a game or quiz. They adapt to user preferences, providing personalised recommendations and challenges based on past interactions. Users receive real-time updates on scores, rankings, and new challenges, enhancing the competitive aspect and keeping the experience fresh. Moreover, Epps integrate social features, allowing users to compete with friends, share scores, and collaborate on challenges, all within the email. This seamless access eliminates the need to switch between apps and platforms, providing a convenient and engaging gaming experience that enhances user retention and loyalty.

Each Epp updates with new challenges every day, ensuring users have fresh content to engage with regularly. The only action required is to open the appropriate Epp in the “starred” mail folder. By transforming quizzes and games into Epps, developers can create engaging, interactive experiences that seamlessly integrate into daily routines, driving higher engagement and ensuring users never miss out on their favourite activities. Epps can thus make email attractive to a wide range of consumers, encouraging them to open their inbox multiple times a day. This increased frequency will, in turn, boost the likelihood of them engaging with brand emails.

5

Killer Epp

While we have discussed a whole range of ideas for Epps, I started thinking about what could be the killer “Epp” – one which brings people back daily and also attracts first-time email users to the channel? I began by putting the question to the AIs. Here are their responses.

ChatGPT

Personalized Daily Digest Epp

Key Features:

1. News and Current Events:

1. • Tailored News Updates: Provide personalized news articles based on user preferences and reading history.
   • Breaking News Alerts: Offer real-time updates on major events and headlines.

2. Interactive Quizzes and Games:

1. • Daily Challenges: Include a variety of quizzes and games (crosswords, Sudoku, trivia) that update daily to keep users engaged.
   • Leaderboard and Rewards: Feature a leaderboard to encourage competition among users and offer rewards for high scores.

3. Stocks and Financial Updates:

1. • Real-Time Portfolio Tracking: Allow users to monitor their stock portfolio with up-to-date information.
   • Market News and Insights: Provide relevant financial news and analysis based on user investments.

4. Health and Fitness:

1. • Daily Fitness Tips: Share personalized fitness advice and workout plans.
   • Progress Tracking: Enable users to log workouts and track progress directly in the email.

5. E-commerce Deals and Offers:

1. • Personalized Recommendations: Suggest products based on user browsing and purchase history.
   • Exclusive Deals: Include special offers and discounts that are only available through the Epp.

6. Entertainment and Events:

1. • Upcoming Events: Notify users about local events, concerts, and shows.
   • Streaming Schedules: Provide updates on new releases and upcoming shows on popular streaming platforms.

Why It Works:

• Comprehensive and Personalized: By combining news, games, financial updates, health tips, shopping deals, and entertainment, the Epp caters to a wide range of interests, making it a daily go-to resource.
• Engagement and Retention: The interactive elements and daily updates ensure that users have a reason to return to the Epp every day.
• Ease of Use: Since everything is contained within the email, users don’t need to switch between multiple apps, making the experience seamless and convenient.
• Attracting New Users: The diverse content and engaging features can attract first-time email users, showing them the value of email beyond just communication.

This Personalized Daily Digest Epp would be a versatile and compelling tool to keep users coming back to their inbox daily while also appealing to new users by offering a rich, interactive experience directly within their email.

Claude

A killer “Epp” that could bring people back daily and attract first-time email users would be a personalized, AI-powered content curation and engagement platform. This Epp would combine elements of news, entertainment, learning, and gamification to create a unique, compelling, and habit-forming experience within the email inbox.

Key features of this killer Epp could include:

1. Personalized content feed: The Epp would use AI to curate a daily feed of articles, videos, podcasts, and other content tailored to each user’s interests, preferences, and browsing history. This ensures that users always have fresh, relevant, and engaging content to consume directly within the email.
2. Interactive learning modules: Users can access bite-sized, interactive learning modules on various topics, from personal finance and career development to hobbies and skills. The Epp would track progress, offer quizzes and challenges, and provide personalized recommendations for further learning.
3. Gamification and rewards: The Epp would incorporate game-like elements, such as daily challenges, streaks, and leaderboards, to encourage regular engagement and friendly competition among users. Users can earn points, badges, or real-world rewards for completing tasks, sharing content, and inviting friends to join.
4. Social connectivity: Users can connect with friends, colleagues, and like-minded individuals within the Epp, allowing them to share content, collaborate on challenges, and discuss topics of interest. This social aspect fosters a sense of community and encourages users to return daily to interact with their network.
5. Seamless integration with other services: The Epp would integrate with popular services like calendar apps, task managers, and productivity tools, allowing users to manage their daily lives more efficiently from within the email inbox.
6. Personalized recommendations and insights: Using AI and machine learning, the Epp would provide personalized recommendations for content, products, and services based on user behavior and preferences. It would also offer insights and analytics to help users understand their consumption patterns and make more informed decisions.

By combining these features into a single, immersive Epp experience, this killer Epp would become a daily destination for users seeking information, entertainment, personal growth, and social connection. The personalized, dynamic nature of the content and the rewards for regular engagement would make it highly addictive, encouraging users to check their email inbox multiple times a day.

Moreover, the unique blend of content, learning, and gamification would attract first-time email users, particularly younger audiences who may not have previously seen the value in using email extensively. The social aspects and the ability to earn rewards would further incentivize these new users to adopt email as a primary communication and engagement channel.

As this killer Epp gains popularity, it would drive increased traffic and engagement to the email inbox, benefiting not only the Epp itself but also other brands and marketers who rely on email to connect with their audience. This, in turn, would contribute to the overall growth and revitalization of the email ecosystem.

Gemini

Here are some strong contenders for the killer Epp:

1. Personalized News Epp: This Epp would tick a lot of boxes. It offers the benefit of staying informed with real-time updates and curated content, all tailored to the user’s interests. This caters to the desire for convenience and avoids information overload.
2. Gamified Finance Epp: This Epp would leverage the addictive nature of games and gamification to make managing finances engaging. Imagine tracking investments, setting goals, and competing with friends (or the market) all within your inbox. This could attract a new audience, particularly younger demographics, to email and make finance management more engaging.
3. Interactive Entertainment Epp: This Epp could offer bite-sized entertainment experiences like quizzes, puzzles, or polls directly in the inbox. It provides a quick mental break or social interaction without needing to download a separate app. This could be particularly appealing to busy professionals who crave short bursts of entertainment throughout the day.

The “killer Epp” will likely depend on the specific target audience. However, all three options share some key strengths:

• High Daily Engagement: They all offer fresh content or challenges daily, encouraging users to return to their inbox.
• Low Barrier to Entry: They require minimal effort from the user – just opening the Epp in their starred folder.
• Social Interaction: They can incorporate social features like leaderboards or competitions with friends, fostering a sense of community within the email platform.

Ultimately, the most successful Epp will likely be a combination of these elements, offering a compelling user experience that seamlessly integrates into daily routines and provides value beyond just traditional email communication.

6

Prediction Markets Epp – 1

My idea for a killer “Epp” is a prediction markets game based on a pari-mutuel betting system with play money (Mu). Let’s call it “WePredict.” (I have discussed prediction markets in a previous essay.) I worked with ChatGPT to define the game.

Let’s begin by understanding the pari-mutuel betting system.

Let’s say there is a prediction market for the outcome of a sports event: “Who will win the football match between Team A and Team B?”

Steps:

1. Bets are Placed:

1. • Users place their bets on either Team A or Team B using play money (Mu).
   • For simplicity, let’s assume there are 10 users betting a total of 1,000 Mu, distributed as follows:
     • 6 users bet a total of 600 Mu on Team A.
     • 4 users bet a total of 400 Mu on Team B.

2. Total Pool:

1. • The total betting pool is 1,000 Mu (600 Mu on Team A + 400 Mu on Team B).

3. Event Outcome:

1. • Let’s assume Team A wins the match.

4. Distribution of Winnings:

1. • Since Team A won, the total pool of 1,000 Mu will be distributed among the 6 users who bet on Team A.
   • Each winning user’s payout is determined based on their share of the 600 Mu bet on Team A.

Calculation:

• Total Winnings Pool: 1,000 Mu.
• Winning Bets Pool: 600 Mu (total bet on Team A).
• Individual Share: Each winning user’s payout is calculated as their individual bet divided by the total winning bets, multiplied by the total pool.

For example, if a user bet 100 Mu on Team A:

• Their Share of Winning Bets Pool: 100 Mu / 600 Mu = 1/6.
• Their Payout: (1/6) * 1,000 Mu = 166.67 Mu.

So, this user would receive 166.67 Mu as their payout. The same calculation applies to each of the other winning bettors based on their individual bets.

Summary:

• Total Pool: 1,000 Mu.
• Team A Wins: 1,000 Mu distributed among 600 Mu worth of bets.
• Payout Ratio: Each Mu bet on Team A receives (1,000 Mu / 600 Mu) = 1.67 Mu.

This example shows how the pari-mutuel betting system works by pooling all bets and distributing the total pool proportionally among the winners based on their share of the total winning bets.

**

The dynamic odds in WePredict will continuously change based on user bets, creating an engaging and strategic experience that encourages users to keep returning to the Epp. Let’s see this via an example.

Initial Betting:

• Time Interval 1 (Start):
  • Total Pool: 1,000 Mu
  • Bets on Team A: 700 Mu (70%)
  • Bets on Team B: 300 Mu (30%)
  • Initial Odds:
    • Team A: 1.43 (1,000 Mu / 700 Mu)
    • Team B: 3.33 (1,000 Mu / 300 Mu)

Subsequent Betting:

• Time Interval 2 (Later):
  • Total Pool: 5,000 Mu
  • Bets on Team A: 1,000 Mu (20%)
  • Bets on Team B: 4,000 Mu (80%)
  • Updated Odds:
    • Team A: 5.00 (5,000 Mu / 1,000 Mu)
    • Team B: 1.25 (5,000 Mu / 4,000 Mu)

In this example, initially, the odds favoured Team A with 1.43 because the majority of bets were on them. As more users placed bets on Team B, the odds shifted for both teams, making the experience more dynamic and encouraging users to keep checking and adjusting their bets.

7

Prediction Markets Epp – 2

We can now discuss how WePredict will work. Here is the game defined in conjunction with ChatGPT.

Overview:

WePredict is a prediction markets game that leverages a pari-mutuel betting system with play money called Mu. This interactive and engaging Epp allows users to make predictions on various events, ranging from sports and politics to entertainment and financial markets. By participating in the game, users can test their predictive skills, compete with others, and earn rewards.

How WePredict Can Be Constructed and Played:

1. User Registration and Onboarding:

1. • Account Creation: Users sign up using their email and create a WePredict profile.
   • Initial Mu Allocation: Each new user receives an initial amount of play money (Mu) to start betting. (Mu can also be earned by participation in other activities – e.g. opening emails, playing quizzes, sharing personal information.)

2. Event Listings and Market Creation:

1. • Event Categories: Display a variety of categories such as sports, politics, entertainment, and financial markets.
   • Market Creation: Allow users to create prediction markets or join existing ones for upcoming events. Each market has a set closing date and time.

3. Placing Bets:

1. • Betting Interface: Users can place bets on different outcomes within each market. The interface shows the odds and potential payouts based on current bets.
   • Pari-Mutuel System: All bets go into a pool, and the payout is distributed among the winners based on the total pool and the number of correct bets.

4. Real-Time Updates:

1. • Market Updates: Show real-time updates of the odds and the total pool amount as more users place bets.
   • Dynamic Content: Ensure the email updates dynamically with the latest information each time it is opened.

5. Leaderboard and Rewards:

1. • Leaderboard: Display a leaderboard with top players based on their total Mu earnings.
   • Rewards and Badges: Offer virtual rewards, badges, and achievements for various milestones, such as making accurate predictions, participating in multiple markets, and topping the leaderboard.

6. Social Features:

1. • Friend Invites: Allow users to invite friends to join the game, fostering a competitive and social environment.
   • Sharing Predictions: Enable users to share their predictions and results on social media directly from the email.

7. Feedback and Insights:

1. • Prediction Analysis: Provide insights and feedback on users’ predictions, helping them improve their strategies.
   • Market Recaps: After each market closes, send a recap of the event, the correct outcome, and the final payouts.

Why WePredict Could Become a Killer Epp:

1. Engagement and Retention:

1. • Daily Interaction: The dynamic nature of prediction markets and the potential for daily updates keep users coming back to check and place new bets.
   • Competitive Element: Leaderboards and social sharing create a competitive environment that motivates users to stay engaged.

2. Educational and Entertaining:

1. • Learning Component: Users can learn about various events and markets while honing their predictive skills.
   • Fun and Gamified: The game-like nature makes the experience entertaining and enjoyable, increasing its appeal to a broad audience.

3. Social Connectivity:

1. • Community Building: Social features like friend invites and sharing predictions help build a community around the game.
   • Viral Potential: The sharing aspect can lead to viral growth as users invite friends and share their achievements.

4. Low Barrier to Entry:

1. • Play Money System: Using play money (Mu) lowers the risk, making it accessible and appealing to a wide range of users, including those who may be hesitant to bet real money.

5. Versatility and Scalability:

1. • Multiple Categories: Covering a wide range of events from different domains ensures that there is something for everyone.
   • Scalable Platform: The Epp can easily scale to include more markets and categories as user interest grows.

6. Monetization Opportunities:

1. • Sponsored Markets: Introduce sponsored prediction markets or events to generate revenue.
   • In-Game Purchases: Offer optional in-game purchases for additional Mu or special features.

**

WePredict relies on two key insights: our desire to know the future and the wisdom of crowds.

First, the game taps into our inherent curiosity and desire to predict future events. Whether it’s sports outcomes, election results, or market trends, people have always been fascinated by the challenge of forecasting what will happen next. This desire to know the future drives engagement, as users are motivated to place bets and see if their predictions come true.

Second, WePredict leverages the wisdom of crowds. This concept suggests that collective predictions made by a diverse group of individuals can often be more accurate than those made by a single expert. By aggregating bets from a large number of users, WePredict creates a dynamic and evolving market that reflects the collective intelligence and insights of its participants. This not only makes the game more exciting but also enhances the accuracy of the predictions, as the crowd’s collective judgment adjusts the odds in real-time based on the latest information and trends.

Together, these insights create a compelling and engaging experience, encouraging users to participate regularly and contribute to a continuously evolving and accurate prediction market.

By making it an Epp, the hope is that it become an attractor for the email inbox.  It can transform how users engage with their inbox by providing a fun, interactive, and socially connected experience that keeps them coming back daily. Its blend of education, entertainment, and competition makes it a potential killer Epp that attracts and retains users while fostering a vibrant and virally growing community.

8

WePredict: Critique

I asked Claude for an appraisal of the idea.

Your idea for a killer Epp, WePredict, based on prediction markets and a pari-mutuel betting system, is quite compelling. It effectively combines several key elements that could make it highly engaging and attractive to a wide range of users. Here’s my analysis of the strengths and potential challenges of your WePredict concept:

Strengths:

1. Engagement and Retention: The dynamic nature of the prediction markets, with constantly updating odds and the potential for daily interaction, creates a strong incentive for users to keep coming back to the Epp. The competitive element, driven by leaderboards and social sharing, further enhances user engagement and retention.
2. Educational and Entertaining: WePredict successfully balances education and entertainment. Users can learn about various events and markets while enjoying the gamified experience of making predictions and competing with others.
3. Social Connectivity: The social features, such as friend invites and prediction sharing, foster a sense of community and encourage users to invite others to join the platform. This viral potential can lead to rapid growth and increased user adoption.
4. Accessibility: Using play money (Mu) instead of real currency lowers the barrier to entry, making WePredict accessible to a broad audience, including those who may be hesitant to engage in real-money betting.
5. Versatility and Scalability: By covering a wide range of events from different domains, WePredict ensures that there is something for everyone. The Epp’s scalability allows for the addition of new markets and categories as user interest grows.

Potential Challenges:

1. User Acquisition: While the concept is engaging, attracting initial users to the platform may be challenging. Developing an effective marketing strategy to reach potential users and convince them to sign up will be crucial.
2. Balancing Simplicity and Depth: The pari-mutuel betting system, while intriguing, may be unfamiliar to some users. Striking the right balance between simplicity and depth in explaining the mechanics and ensuring users understand how to participate effectively will be important.
3. Maintaining Market Integrity: Ensuring the fairness and integrity of the prediction markets is essential. Implementing robust measures to prevent manipulation, insider trading, or other unethical practices will be necessary to maintain user trust.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Depending on the jurisdiction, prediction markets may be subject to legal and regulatory requirements. Ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations will be crucial for the long-term viability of the platform.
5. Monetization Strategy: While you mentioned potential monetization opportunities, such as sponsored markets and in-game purchases, developing a clear and sustainable revenue model that aligns with user expectations and maintains the platform’s integrity will be important.

Overall, WePredict has the potential to be a killer Epp that attracts and retains users while fostering a vibrant community. By tapping into the human desire to predict the future and leveraging the wisdom of crowds, it creates a unique and compelling experience that could transform how users engage with their email inbox.

However, addressing the potential challenges, particularly in terms of user acquisition, market integrity, regulatory compliance, and monetization, will be key to its long-term success. If these challenges can be effectively navigated, WePredict has the potential to become a highly popular and influential Epp in the email ecosystem.

9

Employee Epps

Employee Epps offer a powerful tool for enhancing employee engagement and communication within organizations. Despite AMP not being widely supported in most corporate inboxes, companies can encourage employees to map their personal Gmail or Yahoo IDs to their company-issued email IDs, unlocking the potential of Epps for employee engagement.

I asked ChatGPT to build on this idea and provide examples.

1. Training and Development Epps

• Interactive Learning Modules: Employees can access training materials and complete interactive learning modules directly within their email. Quizzes and assessments can be embedded to ensure understanding and retention of information.
• Personalized Learning Paths: Based on the employee’s role and career goals, personalized training recommendations and resources can be provided, keeping their development aligned with organizational needs.

2. Internal Communications Epps

• Company Newsletters: Deliver dynamic and interactive company newsletters that update in real-time with the latest news, events, and announcements.
• CEO Updates and Messages: Provide a platform for the CEO and other executives to share updates, videos, and messages, fostering a sense of connection and transparency within the organization.

3. Recognition and Rewards Epps

• Employee Recognition Programs: Highlight employee achievements and milestones through interactive emails that allow colleagues to congratulate and endorse each other.
• Reward Redemption: Employees can redeem points or rewards for their achievements directly within the email, enhancing motivation and engagement.

4. Event Management Epps

• Company Event Registrations: Facilitate the registration process for company events, meetings, and workshops through interactive forms embedded in emails.
• Event Reminders and Updates: Send dynamic reminders and updates about upcoming events, ensuring employees stay informed and engaged.

5. Surveys and Feedback Epps

• Pulse Surveys: Conduct quick and frequent pulse surveys to gauge employee satisfaction, gather feedback, and identify areas for improvement.
• Feedback Forms: Collect feedback on various initiatives, projects, and events through interactive forms that allow employees to share their thoughts easily.

6. Health and Wellness Epps

• Wellness Challenges: Organize wellness challenges and track progress through interactive emails, promoting a healthy and active workplace.
• Mental Health Resources: Provide access to mental health resources, tips, and support channels directly within the email, fostering a supportive work environment.

Implementation:

• Mapping Process: Guide employees through the process of mapping their personal Gmail or Yahoo IDs to their company-issued email IDs.
• Education and Training: Educate employees on the benefits of using their personal IDs for receiving Employee Epps and provide training on how to interact with these dynamic emails.

Benefits:

• Enhanced Engagement: Interactive and personalized Epps can significantly boost employee engagement by providing relevant and timely content.
• Improved Communication: Epps streamline internal communications, making it easier for employees to stay informed and connected.
• Increased Productivity: By delivering training, updates, and resources directly to the inbox, Epps can help improve productivity and efficiency within the organization.
• Positive Workplace Culture: Recognizing achievements, promoting wellness, and facilitating open communication contribute to a positive and cohesive workplace culture.

Conclusion

Employee Epps have the potential to transform corporate engagement by leveraging the interactive capabilities of AMP emails. Encouraging employees to map their personal email IDs to their company-issued email IDs opens up a new world of possibilities for training, communication, recognition, and more. By implementing Employee Epps, companies can create a more engaged, informed, and motivated workforce, ultimately driving organizational success.

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Consumer Epps, Brand Epps, and Employee Epps have the potential to revolutionise the email inbox, transforming it into a dynamic, engaging, and immersive digital space. By seamlessly blending personal, professional, and consumer experiences, Epps turn the inbox into a microcosm of life, offering users a one-stop destination for entertainment, education, productivity, and rewarding interactions.

Consumer Epps, like WePredict, attract users with engaging and entertaining features, fostering habitual usage and increasing overall email engagement. Brand Epps enable businesses to deliver personalized, interactive, and frictionless experiences directly to their customers’ inboxes, driving loyalty, conversions, and revenue. Employee Epps streamline internal communications, enhance training and development, and boost employee engagement, contributing to a more motivated and productive workforce.

The convergence of these Epps heralds a new era for email, breathing new life into a tried-and-true communication channel. As Epps evolve and expand, they will unlock the untapped potential of email, transforming it from a reliable workhorse to a vibrant, multifaceted hub of digital life. This transformation benefits users by providing a more engaging and rewarding email experience and empowers businesses to build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their customers and employees.

In the coming years, the rise of Epps will redefine how we interact with our inboxes, setting new standards for digital engagement and paving the way for a more connected, productive, and fulfilling future. Email is poised to reclaim its position as the most powerful and indispensable communication tool in the digital landscape.