Orai 2.0 — A New Beginning
Over the past few months we’ve been thinking hard about the assumptions we made building Orai. And we’ve decided to make changes.
Why Orai 2.0?
Initially, Orai had 10 prompts and a record button. Many users liked this simplicity. But after using the app for a week or so, people had worked through what was available. They wanted more. They asked for additional prompts and exercises.
We looked at popular self-improvement apps like Duolingo and Headspace to understand how they kept their users engaging with the app.
We found that meant THREE basic ideas.
1. Content
Apps that people regularly use all have depth and good content. Sometimes this content is user generated (see Facebook). Sometimes the app developers craft new content (see Headspace).
My cofounder, Paritosh, and I are engineers: experts in algorithms, not rhetoric. We knew we needed to create content that helped users develop sharp, engaging public speaking and wider communication skills.
To build an app that delivers creativity and insight at the next levels. Something the world has never seen.
We looked for a partner to create this content. A partner ready to work as hard as us. We spoke with dozens of speech coaches and public speaking experts in US, in Canada, and in UK.
Then one day, I got an email from Diane, an executive at Mandel Communications. She had read a Fast Company article on Orai.
Immediately after our first few email exchanges, Paritosh and I went through Mandel’s face-to-face coaching to try out for ourselves their techniques. That’s when we realized that they were the partner we were looking for.
So now Orai is working with Mandel. That means we now bring our users a whole new range of lessons and exercises in effective communication.
Reducing Fillers. The Power of the Pause. Executive Presence. Storytelling.
More on the way! Stay tuned!
2. User journey
The best self-improvement apps make users feel like they’re on a personal journey with an on-demand friend who’s always there.
This journey starts with showing you the basics. And as you move ahead you reach new milestones and challenges. At every milestone, there’s a sense of accomplishment and growth.
You are given nudges and reminders so that you don’t get side-tracked, and forget to keep moving forward.
This idea of user journey for an app is elusive and subtle. But we are on the case, as Orai 2.0 shows.
When a user first comes to the app, they are invited to do the first lesson: Self Assessment. This is where Orai understands the user’s ‘baseline’ speaking habits as the basis for measuring future improvement.
After completing exercises, users get feedback on what worked and what might motivate to move ahead. Mandel helped us here; we are working with their communication coaches on how they give helpful feedback on someone’s speech, presentation or pitch.
Over the next few months, Orai will be giving even more nuanced and personalized feedback. And even recommending additional resources outside the app (such as YouTube videos or articles) that help them move ahead strongly.
One other change in Orai 2.0. You can set reminders and ask Orai to send you notifications for practicing on the app.
Orai is your personal speech coach. There with you, just when needed.
3. Design
Human eyes are quick at judging design: what’s excellent, what’s good, and what’s mediocre.
However, in this case design is not just about how an app looks. It’s about how it works: is it easy to navigate through the app easily?
At the core of the new design of Orai 2.0 is control. Control by you.
You choose to go through the “lessons” on strong communication, or you simply practice in “Freestyle”. You can even rehearse your own upcoming presentation or speech in the “My Script” section. Just copy/paste your script or create your key points, then experiment with different ways of expressing tone and pace and emphasis.
This is the first substantive upgrade for Orai. We’re working hard on delivering further upgrades and refinements.
Thanks to all users who have generously sent thoughts and feedback. If you have ideas on making the Orai experience richer still, send them to feedback@oraiapp.com or just comment below.
