Phil Carter, Creator of the subscription value loop model, discusses quantitative growth models, the subscription value loop framework, the 4Rs of value creation, and challenges in user acquisition for consumer subscription apps in this entertaining podcast.

Greg Stewart, Co-founder of Ladder, talks about scaling TikTok ads, price optimization, and learnings from burning hundreds of thousands of dollars on Instagram ads. They discuss using micro-influencers for early growth, adapting pricing based on core users, maximizing TikTok content, and using a web funnel to optimize ad spend.

Adam Allore, an expert in app growth, and Wavve Boating share insights on validating app ideas, early marketing tactics, closing partnerships, and the broader impact of partnerships. They discuss how to start with minimal investment, craft ready-to-publish stories for media pick-up, overcome imposter syndrome, and negotiate partnerships with large companies. They also explore the value of partnerships in driving user acquisition and revenue for a boating company, highlighting successful partnerships with Freedom Boat Club and nurseries.

Aaron Foss, an entrepreneur known for Nomorobo, shares his strategies for app growth and success. Topics include focusing on a key KPI, soft launches, organic growth hacks, slow and sustainable growth, the power of freemium, collaboration with Apple, being scrappy and strategic with money and acquisitions, and mentoring indie developers.

App Optimization Expert, Hannah Parvaz, shares insights on scaling performance marketing and optimizing app events. She discusses the timing of ATT prompt tests, the importance of rigorously testing ad creatives, and tracking hard activations for product-market fit. The podcast also covers the challenges of scaling performance marketing, the impact of return on ad spend and lifetime value, optimizing performance through experimentation, and the seasonality of advertising in November and December.

Martín Siniawski, co-founder of Podcast App, discusses the challenges and benefits of bootstrapping and raising venture capital for subscription apps. Topics covered include launching a bootstrapped business, the differences between B2B and B2C success, the importance of focus in a multi-product app business, and the strategies for user acquisition and growth.

Eric Crowley, investment banker and partner at GP Bullhound, discusses the potential for growth in the B2C app industry, the regulatory spotlight on App Store fees, and the fluid boundary between B2C and B2B. The podcast explores the exponential growth of consumer subscriptions in the Apple App Store, the advantages of native app experiences, and the concept of finding the 'Berkshire Hathaway of App Stores'. It also delves into the challenges of calendar management, the benefits of using the Greenlight app for family management, and the success rate of companies featured in the annual CSS report.

Reid DeRamus, Growth PM at Substack, discusses raising app prices while balancing growth and retention. Tips include reaffirming value proposition, analyzing retention metrics, focusing on acquisition, adding tiers for options, and executing well to avoid churn.

App optimization expert Steve P. Young discusses black hat strategies, hard paywalls, and dark patterns used by top apps. Keyword install campaigns trick app store algorithms. Don't be afraid to use a hard paywall to drive revenue. Test monetization strategies and analyze data. Fully optimize onboarding and paywall to increase revenue. Explore the ethics behind paywalls and misleading payment processes.

On the podcast: The right way to raise prices, the painful lessons from picking the wrong tools, and why you should respond to every single app review.Top Takeaways✍️ Start surveying as soon as you start developing, and don’t stop. Identify your MVP by understanding customers early on, and develop new features with key customer insights when you’re growing.📈 Bundle extra value if you must raise prices to soften the blow of a tough sell and demonstrate attentiveness to customer needs.🧰 Cheaper, easy-to-integrate tools might not scale on infrastructure and unit economics, which could lead to a painful re-engineering process down the line.🏗️ Plan for scalability from the start by adhering to solid software engineering principles and ensuring your tooling integrations are easily switchable.🤑 Provide premium support for a premium product price. Respond to every store review — each interaction leaves a lasting impression on customers and drives loyalty.About Vince Mayfield👨‍💻 Co-founder and CEO of TalkingParents, an app that helps divorced or separated parents manage communication and share responsibilities.💪 Vince and his partner jumped from professional services to building a scalable app with $10 million in ARR.💡 “People like to compartmentalize elements of their life and they don't want to have a million apps.”👋 LinkedInLinks & Resources‣ Connect with Vince on LinkedIn‣ Check out TalkingParents‣ TalkingParents on Instagram‣ TalkingParents on Facebook‣ TalkingParents on Pinterest‣ TalkingParents on X (formerly Twitter)‣ Get TalkingParents from the App Store‣ Get TalkingParents from Google PlayEpisode Highlights[1:35] Origin story: Making money while we sleep is the ultimate goal — Vince talks about how he moved from agency to product company to $10 million in ARR.[4:44] From hired gun to product growth: Lack of app monetization and not understanding customers early on may make pivoting to a product focus challenging.[7:59] Risk management for risk mitigators: How do you make money from the court system? Easy: Switch focus to the real customers.[10:32] Freemium tinkering: Vince dives into the app’s early strategy for monetization and subscription — burning through close to $1 million in the process.[12:59] Chartered surveying: When it seems like an app is charging too little, asking customers what features they want and need is the ticket to nailing down value.[15:59] Downhill slalom vs. uphill climb: Raising already low prices can be delicate, but bundling additional value with a rollout often softens the blow. Look for opportunities to layer on deeper value.[28:33] Nudges and needs: From surveying to app instrumentation, Vince and his partner had to understand the customer journey before making the right moves.[32:08] The ultimate tool belt: Not paying attention to how apps can scale from the very beginning is an easy mistake for app developers to make — especially when using tools.[38:28] Best-in-class assessment: Starting with best-in-class tools isn’t always doable, but adopting good software engineering techniques as you go is a satisfactory quick fix.[41:28] Lightning round: Vince talks about why support matters and how that translates into running a business and customers’ responses.