DailyStory

How Rob Built DailyStory From Scratch to a Leading Automation Platform

Q: Who is the owner of DailyStory?

Rob Howard is the founder of DailyStory.

Q: What is Rob Howard's net worth?

Rob Howard's business makes an average of $/month.

Q: How much money has Rob Howard made from DailyStory?

Rob Howard started the business in 2017, and currently makes an average of .

February 28th, 2025

Founded By

Rob Howard

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2017

Customer

B2B & B2C

Founded By
Rob Howard: Founders
1

Profitable
Yes: Year Started
2017

Customer
B2B & B2C

Who is Rob Howard?

Rob Howard, founder of DailyStory, is a software engineer and entrepreneur from Dallas, Texas, who previously built a successful company working with major brands like Microsoft and Starbucks before starting DailyStory in 2017 to simplify and improve marketing automation tools.

What problem does DailyStory solve?

DailyStory takes the hassle out of digital marketing by automating repetitive tasks, making it easier for businesses to connect with their audience and see real results.

How did Rob come up with the idea for DailyStory?

Rob was inspired to create DailyStory after experiencing frustration with costly, complex marketing tools at his previous job. At his last startup, they spent significant amounts on CRM and marketing automation, yet these tools provided little clarity on how marketing turned into sales. Rob saw firsthand that if large enterprises struggled with this, smaller businesses must have faced even greater challenges.

His idea was solidified when he ran an ad campaign that, at first glance, appeared highly successful due to lead generation. However, an investigation revealed that none of these leads converted into sales, saving the company a considerable amount by avoiding further investment. This experience highlighted the need for a simpler, more integrated platform to measure marketing effectiveness.

Before diving in, Rob drew upon his software engineering experience to envision a vertically integrated marketing solution that didn’t require technical expertise to operate. The early version of DailyStory was rough, but through ongoing improvements and gathering user feedback, Rob was able to refine it into a leading tool that helps businesses measure and enhance their marketing campaigns effectively.

How did Rob Howard build the initial version of DailyStory?

The development of DailyStory was primarily software-focused, with Rob Howard drawing from his experience in marketing and sales inefficiencies. The initial platform was created in 2017, and the first version took several months to develop, with the launch occurring later in the fall of that year. This early version was described as "a little rough," indicating the challenges faced in perfecting it. The small team, led by a scrappy, bootstrapped approach, focused on integrating various marketing automation tools, such as email and text messaging, with the goal of creating a cohesive and user-friendly experience. They iteratively improved the platform, overcoming initial hurdles like market saturation and establishing product functionality, which took nearly 14 months before acquiring their first customer.

What was the growth strategy for DailyStory and how did they scale?

Word of Mouth

DailyStory initially focused on word of mouth as a primary channel to acquire customers. They positioned themselves as a boutique marketing automation platform, which allowed them to leverage personal recommendations from satisfied users. By working closely with customers to deliver measurable marketing results, they ensured high satisfaction, making it more likely that these customers would recommend the service to others.

Why it worked: Personal recommendations are powerful because they come from trusted sources. DailyStory provided a platform that was user-friendly and effective, making it easier for customers to advocate for the tool. The strong relationships they built with customers emphasized the company's dedication and reliability, creating a cycle of positive referrals and sustained growth.

Freemium Model

DailyStory transitioned from a free trial model to a freemium model to increase user acquisition. This move removed the time limitations of a trial, allowing potential customers to use the product at their own pace and see its value without pressure. This strategy was aimed at increasing volume and improving conversion rates by offering ongoing value with no initial cost barrier.

Why it worked: The freemium model allows users to experience product value without immediate investment, lowering entry barriers. DailyStory believed this approach would result in higher conversion rates compared to the 21-day trial, as users could access the platform's features without time constraints. This strategy also aligned with the platform's strength in converting active users into paying customers.

Partnerships and Integrations

DailyStory offered custom integrations with other applications, including point-of-sale systems, to expand their reach and usability. This strategy aimed to provide added value by seamlessly fitting into existing business workflows, making the platform more appealing to a broader audience.

Why it worked: Integrations facilitated greater appeal and functionality, making DailyStory a versatile tool that could cater to specific business needs. These partnerships not only enhanced product utility but also introduced the platform to users of other integrated services, acting as an indirect marketing channel and boosting the acquisition efforts.

Reddit Engagement

Rob Howard, the founder, engaged with communities on Reddit to gain feedback and make product updates. By participating in discussions, DailyStory was able to connect with its target audience, gather insights, and develop features that met user needs. This involvement also helped build brand awareness among a community of entrepreneurs and marketers.

Why it worked: Engaging on Reddit provided a direct line to potential customers and industry trends, allowing DailyStory to adapt and grow in response to real user needs. The platform allowed Howard to establish thought leadership, share knowledge, and drive interest in DailyStory, fostering a community around the product that led to organic growth and customer acquisition.

What's the pricing strategy for DailyStory?

DailyStory offers a dynamic pricing model with a freemium tier that allows users free access, and paid plans scaling based on user needs and features.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building DailyStory?

Be Patient: Building DailyStory took almost two years before landing the first customer, highlighting the importance of patience and perseverance. Success doesn't come overnight; stay committed and patient.
Adapt and Evolve: The transition to a freemium model based on user feedback highlights the need to adapt and evolve business strategies for better customer acquisition and retention.
Embrace Challenges: Moving from a low-stress 9-to-5 job to a demanding startup life requires embracing challenges and being prepared for long hours and hard work.
Focus on Measurable Results: DailyStory's emphasis on creating measurable results underscores the importance of integrating data-driven decisions in business practices.
Consistency and Process: The belief in process, consistency, and measurability at DailyStory stresses the need for structured approaches to scale and achieve sustained success.

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