Issue 24: How I Used a Gamified Time Loop to Boost User Retention by 46%

Yo, it’s Kushagra! Welcome to AtlasMoth’s “Growth: 1” Edition 🦋

I have been deep in design theory lately, breaking down how managers and founders can use it to level up user experience—and yep, that means boosting revenue too.

But this time, I’ll be flipping the script. Let’s dive into growth design. It’s the buzzword everyone’s talking about (Google says it’s trending, no cap).

In this Growth series, I’ll unpack gamified monetization strategies that work for your industry. Whether you’re building SaaS, e-commerce, or any content, nailing the right approach can be a game-changer.

The growth design strategy which I call the get-user magnet💡

Freemium is one of the monetization strategies used in subscription-based services. When you get the base model for free, but to get the top features/upgrades, you must pay.

Freemium hooks you with a free app taste, then hits you up for cash when you see cool tools you gotta have. It’s like a teaser—get more if you’re willing to pay.

Or when the trial ends, you’re back to free mode. By then, you’ve seen the cool stuff, and if you want to keep up, you pay up. It’s like FOMO but with a strategy.

No worries if you didn’t catch that—I’ll break it down with examples. But first, here’s why it’s a game-changer for your SaaS product, especially what your team’s building.

In SaaS, the free mode is a gateway—users start with basic tools, but crave the premium ones, leading to paid plans. The twist? Start them with top tools, then drop them to free mode. By then, they're hooked and more likely to pay. It's a win-win: the lure of free with the push of a trial.

Here’s how you can leverage the freemium model💰

1. Start with full use in the trial, then show what’s gone as they go. Make the drop fun by letting them “unlock” some top tools if they use the app a lot. This keeps them pumped, even in free mode.

2. Users love a pat on the back. Give out wins or prizes when they reach goals in the trial. Like, “Good job! You’ve tried 80% of our top tools. Keep it up and get 10% off your first month.” This plays on the urge to do well and nudges them to pay.

3. Use design to show the rush. As the trial ends, flash clocks or deals that show what they’ll miss. This taps into the fear of loss, where folks hate to lose more than they love to gain.

4. Use data from the trial to fit the user’s taste. Send notes that match what they’ve liked, like “You loved X tool in the trial—keep it with our Pro Plan.” This makes the switch feel right.

Blend these gamified tricks with smart design, and you’re not just selling a thing—you’re crafting a fun, sticky trip that pulls users back for more.

Slack's freemium game is on point for serious growth: 30% User Growth & $200M Revenue Surge💸

• Slack's free plan offers essential tools like chat logs and basic links.

• Users can try Slack Pro or Slack Biz for a limited time, experiencing premium features like full chat logs and advanced support.

• After the trial, many users convert to paid plans, boosting Slack's revenue through subscriptions.

See How I helped one of my clients in building a Subscription Model like Honeycomb 🍯

Case: Enhancing the experience for enthusiasts and owners of large machines—such as planes, muscle cars, and cranes—by simplifying repairs.

Product: I created an AI-powered hub that generates intuitive 3D repair guides in seconds, tailored to your needs through simple prompt questions. To eliminate the hassle of sifting through old manuals; with just a glance and a swipe, you’ll have the guidance you need.

The application churns out 3D guides in seconds just by asking a few questions about any machinery. Just look, swipe, and fix—it’s that easy.

Now, here’s the deal: the platform was free to use at first, giving users a taste of the good features. You get all the top-tier tools—3D guides, hands-on tips, AI scans—the works.

But after a bit, you’ll drop to a basic free mode unless you upgrade. Most users loved the hype but weren’t ready to pay up—less than 10% stuck with the paid version.

Initially, the idea was to slap on a paywall, but the client didn’t want to shut people out right away (makes sense, right?). Plus, with the AI eating up tokens like it’s at an all-you-can-eat buffet, there was a need for some cash flow to keep the servers running.

So, here’s the twist: I reimagined the subscription model into a gamified experience where time is your currency (and no, I’m not talking crypto).

Working Mechanism: The user starts with 10 minutes of full access to explore and chat with the AI.

When time’s up, users have two choices:

• Pay to keep the perks & possible upgrades.

• Earn more time by answering machine-related questions. Get them right, and boom—your minutes are back, with no interruptions.

Gains:

• The AI didn’t just produce synthetic data; it also learned from user-submitted answers to generate the most accurate results.

• This approach resulted in a 46% increase in user retention on the platform.

• 21% of users who engaged with the time-based currency loop were likely to upgrade to the premium version after their fourth session.

Look, I know you as a founder or a product manager can take this to the next level, but I came up with this idea back in early 2023. A lot’s gone down since then, so cut me some slack!

Still, this might give you a fresh perspective on how you can leverage the freemium model to seriously boost retention for your product. 

What I found amazing this week

Google Opens Imagen 3 AI Tool for Selected Users 🌐

The True Impact of Gaming Villains 🎮

Hit that gave me a kick Listen to Flying Into Tokyo by Magnetic Man 🎵

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