Blog

To humanize and move the next generation of talent and work

November 18, 2024

A Complete Guide to Partiful, PoshVIP and Peerspace

The event planning and management space has seen innovative companies emerge in recent years, each catering to different aspects of the social and professional event ecosystem. Partiful, Peerspace, and PoshVIP represent unique approaches to event planning, each targeting specific market needs with distinct features, funding trajectories, and growth challenges.Here’s an in-depth look at what sets them apart and their potential as long-term investments.

Jerry Cai

November 12, 2024

The Rise of the Passion Economy: A New Human Era

In the history of civilization, there are moments that redefine how people work, create, and interact. Just as the agricultural revolution shifted society from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to specialized fields, we are now at the threshold of a new era, driven by artificial intelligence and digital technology. This new epoch, known as the "Passion Economy," opens the door for individuals to harness technology, express their creativity, and redefine the value they bring to the world. At Agorum, we’re excited to help fuel this movement.

Jerry Cai

November 6, 2024

Partiful: Navigating the Future of Event Planning

A deep dive into Partiful’s road ahead to becoming the top event management platform for Gen-Z. What are the opportunities for growth, potential challenges to adapt, and platform evolution.

Jerry Cai

November 5, 2024

How to Find Clients Quicker and More Efficiently on Agorum (Part 2)

To help Agorum’s photographers and DJs attract more bookings this fall, we’ve created a guide focused on the top client concerns for New York events: missing work samples, unclear style, availability conflicts, misaligned pricing, and limited personal information. By refining their profiles with more detailed portfolios, clear style categories, and visible availability, creatives can align better with client expectations. Together, these improvements will help build trust, streamline bookings, and strengthen Agorum’s vibrant community.

Jerry Cai

October 30, 2024

How to Find Clients Quicker and More Effectively on Agorum (Part 1)

Agorum provides a streamlined alternative to platforms like Thumbtack, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit, helping creatives connect with clients more effectively. While finding clients is easier on Agorum, maximizing bookings depends on three key elements: portfolio quality, service descriptions, and relevant deliverables. Here’s a guide to what clients seek, the responsibilities of Agorum creatives, and practical tips for success.

Jerry Cai

October 29, 2024

Booking on Agorum

Booking a photographer or DJ for your event should be straightforward, secure, and tailored to fit your needs. With Agorum, you can expect: 1) Confidence in your decision, 2) Security and trust in every step Intuitive, convenient booking, 3) A personalized experience 4) This is exactly why Agorum was created! Here’s a breakdown of how Agorum makes booking effortless and reliable.

Jerry Cai

October 23, 2024

Agorum Investigates: Why is everyone DJing nowadays? From David Solomon to Shaquille O’Neal

DJing has gone from an underground scene to a favorite hobby for big names like David Solomon and Shaquille O'Neal. With easier access to DJ gear, these high-powered individuals are embracing the craft as a fun, creative outlet and a way to escape the pressures of their day jobs. This shift is part of a larger trend—people everywhere are looking for more ways to connect, express themselves, and take control of the vibe through music.

Jerry Cai

October 20, 2024

Agorum Investigates: The New Roaring 20s: How Social Media & the COVID-19 Pandemic Have Shaped a Generation

Gen-Z is experiencing their own version of the Roaring 20s, but this time, it's shaped by viral TikToks, influencers, and the existential aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Constantly balancing between chasing authentic joy and curating a picture-perfect life, this generation navigates an "experience economy" that craves both meaning and shareability. As they emerge from lockdowns, Gen-Z is redefining what it means to live with intention in a digital world, blending YOLO with a deeper pursuit of purpose.

Jerry Cai

October 16, 2024

Tutorial: How to Use Albums to Store and Share Files

Agorum offers its creatives free photo and video storage through its album feature. To create an album, access the creation page via the profile dropdown menu, select "Album," name it, and upload files by drag-and-drop or clicking the drop zone. After uploading, simply save the album. Albums can be shared via a unique URL or kept private, allowing users to organize and showcase their content easily.

Jerry Cai

October 11, 2024

Tutorial: How to Optimize Collections for More Bookings

Creating a compelling and organized profile on Agorum can significantly boost your chances of getting more bookings. Whether you’re a photographer or DJ, how you present your work is crucial. Think of your Agorum profile as your digital storefront—it needs to be inviting, clear, and detailed to attract potential clients.

Jerry Cai

October 8, 2024

How to Host an Unforgettable NYC Housewarming Party in Fall 2024

Planning a memorable housewarming or birthday party in New York City this fall requires a blend of creativity, organization, and attention to detail. Whether you're a host looking to impress your guests or a photographer seeking to expand your portfolio, these best practices will ensure your event is both smooth and unforgettable. From selecting the right venue to capturing those special moments, here's how you can elevate your party experience and create lasting memories.

Jerry Cai

October 5, 2024

Top 10 Private Party Venues in New York City to Host Themed Parties this Fall

Fall is a magical season in New York City, with crisp weather, stunning foliage, and a vibrant energy that makes it the perfect time to host themed private parties. Whether you’re planning a chic Halloween gathering, a Gatsby-inspired soirée, or a cozy fall harvest dinner, the venue you choose plays a major role in bringing your vision to life. Here are the top 10 private party venues in NYC for hosting unforgettable themed parties this fall.

Richard Ou

October 1, 2024

How to Plan the Best House Parties in NYC

Planning an unforgettable house party in New York City is a rewarding endeavor when you have the right guidance and tools. This comprehensive guide outlines the essential steps to host the best NYC house party, from defining your theme and managing invitations with Partiful, to securing unique venues via Peerspace, and booking top-tier vendors through Agorum.

Jerry Cai

September 12, 2024

Tutorial: How to Create Collections and Packages on Agorum

This guide walks you through the steps to create a new collection and package your profile on Agorum, ensuring your services are presented effectively to attract potential clients. It covers accessing settings, starting a new listing, filling in all necessary details, and adding packages to enhance your offering. By following these instructions, you can maximize your visibility and booking potential on the platform.

Jerry Cai

September 3, 2024

Tutorial: How to Set Up Your Calendar Availability on Agorum

Ensuring your calendar is synced and up-to-date on Agorum is crucial for attracting potential clients and managing your bookings efficiently. Follow this step-by-step guide to set up your availability.

Jerry Cai

August 1, 2024

The Magic of Spontaneity: Finding Inspiration in Unplanned Nights In

Explore the enchanting essence of spontaneous nights at home, where the absence of a set plan opens the door to unexpected delights and personal discovery. The joy of allowing one's surroundings and whims to organically shape the evening, creating a uniquely resonant experience that can't be engineered by algorithms. Ultimately, celebrate the freedom and inspiration found in embracing the unpredictable - such nights can lead to profound yet simple joys.

Jerry Cai

July 31, 2024

The Evolution of Pinterest: Current State, Opportunities, and Challenges

Pinterest has carved out its niche in the social media landscape by focusing on the power of visual discovery. While the platform's board-and-pin model has proven highly engaging for users, challenges in monetization and user experience remain. This blog post delves into Pinterest's past, present, and potential future, examining the company's foundational story, core features, current user experience, and opportunities for innovation.

Max Chuang

July 15, 2024

How Dating App Photos Can Improve Your Game

In an era where the dating scene becomes increasingly digitized, embracing professional dating profile pictures can reshape online dating dynamics.

Jerry Cai

June 22, 2024

Building Strong Marketplace Dynamics and Testing Hypotheses to Understand User Behavior

In today's memo, we explored the concept of "tarpit" ideas that seem promising but often lead to significant barriers. Reflecting on recent progress, we consider potential growth directions such as developing tools for photographers. Our short-term objectives include leveraging core competencies, fostering data-driven marketing approaches, and experimenting continuously to enhance consumer awareness and engagement.

Richard Ou

May 8, 2024

Enhancing Passion Pursuits: How Frictionless Experiences Benefit Both Consumers and Creatives

In today's fast-paced world, time is at a premium. People cherish efficiency not only as a means of productivity but also because it allows them the freedom to pursue their passions. Reducing friction in their routine tasks, especially in finding and engaging services, plays a pivotal role in this quest.

Richard Ou

April 16, 2024

Cutting Through the Chaos: Agorum Simplifies Finding the Perfect Photographer

In today's digital age, one would think that finding and booking a photographer for your event should be easy. However, the reality often proves otherwise. While platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Thumbtack are flooded with potential options, the process of selecting the ideal photographer often involves a frustrating maze of scrolling, messaging, and negotiating.

Richard Ou

March 20, 2024

Agorum 3.0

We're completely rebuilding our platform from the ground up. Incorporating many of our lessons learnt along the way, we're proud to be announcing an entirely new iteration of our product.

Richard Ou

March 4, 2024

Freelance OS: Staying on Top of your Freelance Game

Embarking on a freelance career promises freedom and flexibility, yet navigating this landscape often presents a series of relentless challenges. From securing stable work to chasing after due payments, freelancers are constantly stretching to maintain equilibrium in their professional lives. Visualize a solution, an operating system designed specifically for freelancers, where these challenges are mitigated, giving you the opportunity to focus on what truly matters: your craft.

Richard Ou

March 1, 2024

How We Got Into VIP-X

A couple of weeks ago one of our advisors told us, "hey Wharton is running this accelerator in SF, it's a long shot but you should try anyway." So we threw together a deck and sent off our application. A week ago we get an email, "you're invited to join us for an in-person pitch." We're like, "shit. we have to fly to SF now." And so we book a last minute flight, but low and behold, we get delayed and don't make our flight.

Richard Ou

February 29, 2024

Future of Work: How Hyperlocal Freelance Marketplaces Empower Creative Talent and Consumers

The gig economy has experienced staggering growth over the past few years, with more professionals opting for the flexibility and autonomy that freelancing offers. However, this burgeoning landscape is not without its challenges. Freelancers often juggle the pursuit of meaningful gigs with the practicalities of managing their operations, while consumers struggle to connect with local creative talent that aligns with their unique requirements.

Richard Ou

February 2, 2024

As a Freelancer Do I Really Need Insurance?

As a freelancer, you're the CEO, the HR department, and the financial planner of your own enterprise. One important aspect that often gets overlooked in the hustle of client work and deadlines is insurance. When you're self-employed, there isn’t an employer to provide a safety net of health benefits or liability coverage.

Richard Ou

January 26, 2024

Humanizing the Marketplace and Energizing Local Talent

In an ever-globalizing world, the rise of digital marketplaces has transformed the labor landscape, allowing businesses to tap into the global talent pool with unprecedented ease. For years, platforms like Fiverr and Upwork have facilitated a remote outsourcing boom, connecting projects with freelancers from around the world – often leveraging the cost advantages provided by differing economies.

Richard Ou

January 18, 2024

Top 10 AI Tools Transforming Graphic Design in 2024

The graphic design landscape in 2023 is rapidly evolving, thanks to a slew of innovative AI tools. These tools not only streamline design processes but also open up new creative possibilities. Let's dive into the top 10 AI tools that are making waves in the industry.

Jerry Cai

December 6, 2023

Freelance Photographer's Pricing Playbook: Setting Rates That Reflect Your Value

Embarking on a freelance photography career brings creative freedom, but with it comes the challenge of setting fair and profitable rates for your work. It's imperative to align your pricing with your expertise, costs, and the market to ensure that you're well compensated for your talent and hard work. Here we’ll dissect the process of determining rates, use a real-world example of pricing in action, and explore standard rate ranges across different types of photography and levels of expertise.

Jerry Cai

November 28, 2023

Photographer's Guide to NYC: Discovering the Perfect Shot in the Big Apple

New York City, with its towering skyscrapers, vibrant streets, and diverse architecture, provides a dynamic playground for photographers. It's a city where history and modernity collide, offering endless opportunities for capturing striking images that tell a story. Photography in NYC can be as varied and exciting as the city itself. In this guide, we'll explore how to capture NYC through your lens, delving into popular locations as well as uncovering some hidden gems, accompanied by tips to enhance your urban photography skills.

Richard Ou

October 15, 2023

Freelance Contracts: Why You Need One and How to Create It

As a freelancer in the United States, you operate as an independent business owner, and amid the many hats you wear, one is that of a contract administrator. Whether you are a writer, designer, programmer, consultant, or working in any other freelance capacity, legally binding contracts are vital to safeguard your rights, outline expectations, and ensure you get paid for your work. Here's why every freelance gig should be backed by a written contract, how to set one up, and a template to get you started.

Richard Ou

August 15, 2023

Where it all began

Agorum aims to address the challenges of societal pressures and untapped talent by providing a solution that helps individuals monetize their talents and contribute to the local ecosystem, while also tackling the potential disruptions posed by AI and revolutionizing traditional service sector work.