Topline

SPOTLIGHT: How CEO Kevin Smith Turned Snipd’s Monetization Struggles Into a Sustainable Business

54 snips
Mar 26, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Kevin Smith, CEO and co-founder of Snipd, an innovative AI-powered podcast app, opens up about his company's battle to achieve sustainable monetization. He recounts the emotional rollercoaster of shifting from free to premium services amidst financial turmoil. Kevin discusses the intense user backlash they faced and the heartwarming moment that rekindled their commitment. Listeners will be captivated as he shares insights on leveraging user feedback and the transformative power of AI in enhancing the podcast experience.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Snipd's Monetization Struggle

  • Snipd, a pre-revenue AI podcast app, faced potential bankruptcy when investor funding dried up.
  • They decided to monetize via a freemium model despite concerns about user backlash.
ANECDOTE

Launch of Snipd Premium

  • Snipd had positive signs from users willing to pay, but investors remained skeptical.
  • They launched a premium version with additional features and usage limits on free core features.
ANECDOTE

Initial User Backlash

  • Initial user reactions to the freemium model were negative, with complaints on various channels.
  • Kevin Smith addressed user concerns while preparing for his wedding, worried about the company's future.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app