App Launch Focuses on 'Crafted' Onboarding
The founder of the new iOS app Memelord Mobile shared key launch learnings, highlighting the impact of a well-crafted onboarding flow. The team found that storytelling and 'craft' in the app's first-run experience directly boosted activation rates, while focusing on DAU and shares over vanity downloads provided a clearer picture of engagement.
Memelord Mobile founder Jason Levin previously authored the book "Memes Make Millions" and built a suite of meme-focused tools, raising $3 million in a seed round from investors including Slow Ventures and Long Journey Ventures. The company's vision is to become the "Canva for memes," providing tools for what they term "memetic warfare." A narrative-driven onboarding process, like the one Memelord implemented, aims to create an emotional connection by positioning the user as the hero. This approach is designed to build trust and reduce user churn by helping users understand the "why" behind the product's features from the very beginning. Research suggests that stories are significantly more memorable than standalone facts, which can be a powerful tool in guiding new users. Focusing on Daily Active Users (DAU) and social shares provides a more accurate measure of a product's health and user engagement than initial download numbers. These metrics help product managers understand if users are receiving real value and returning to the app, which is a stronger indicator of long-term success. The "activation rate" is a key performance indicator that measures the percentage of new users who complete a critical action, signaling they've experienced the core value of the product. For a social or content creation app, this might be defined as a user creating and sharing their first piece of content. Across various industries, the average mobile app activation rate is around 34%. For students aiming for product management roles in the Los Angeles tech scene, building and launching a side project is a practical way to gain hands-on experience. Companies like TikTok and WB Games offer PM internships in the LA area, and a portfolio of projects demonstrating skills in user research, roadmapping, and launch execution can be a significant advantage. Aspiring product managers can find inspiration for side projects from their own daily problems or by exploring platforms like ProductHunt and GitHub to identify emerging trends and user needs. The goal isn't necessarily to build a successful company, but to demonstrate the core competencies of a product manager, such as understanding user pain points and iterating on a solution.
