How Desmond Grew RiseApp to $20K/MRR in Just Four Months
Who is Desmond?π
Desmond, the co-founder of RiseApp, hails from Hong Kong and is a solo developer with expertise in mobile app development and organic social media growth, having successfully scaled RiseApp's visibility and revenue through strategic short-form content creation.
What problem does RiseApp solve?π
RiseApp solves the problem of maintaining consistent habits by providing a structured, straightforward program that helps users rebuild discipline, especially when life feels overwhelming. Its success lies in its focused simplicity and relatable design, appealing to customers seeking a practical way to kickstart personal growth and regain control.
How did Desmond come up with the idea for RiseApp?π
Desmond's journey to creating RiseApp began during a challenging time in his life, during the COVID pandemic, when he personally experienced a lack of discipline and routine. Reflecting on this period, he saw the potential for an app that could help people in similar situations rebuild their habits in a structured way. He realized that many existing habit trackers offered too much flexibility, so he envisioned Rise as a more rigid program, focusing heavily on simplicity and essential habits.
To develop this idea further, Desmond and his technical co-founder leveraged their skills from previous projects, gradually refining their approach based on the insights gained from their earlier, less successful ventures. They also tapped into the power of social media, closely observing trends in short-form content, where apps like UMAX and PAIO successfully utilized entertaining videos for promotion. By experimenting with content on various platforms, Desmond identified formats that resonated well with his target audience and incorporated these insights into Rise's marketing strategy.
Throughout the ideation process, Desmond faced technical challenges, particularly with bug fixing in the app's development phase, which taught him the importance of maintaining a strong user base and reputation. His experience highlighted the significance of remaining adaptable, receptive to user feedback, and continuously exploring new marketing strategies to ensure his app resonated with users looking for a straightforward path to discipline and habit formation.
How did Desmond build the initial version of RiseApp?π
Desmond and his co-founder began building RiseApp by first focusing on UI/UX design using Figma and Swift coding to craft an iOS application that stands out in the competitive habit-tracking space. Over six weeks, starting from February, they designed a rigid and user-friendly interface that focuses on a 66-day program to help users build discipline. Challenges emerged post-launch in April, particularly with bug fixing across different devices and platforms, which Desmond likens to playing hardcore in Minecraft. Using AI tools for coding and strategically leveraging short-form videos for testing, they gathered feedback and iterated quickly to enhance the product's stability and user experience. This intense build phase demanded resilience and adaptability as they navigated technical hurdles to deliver a reliable product.
How did Desmond launch RiseApp and get initial traction?π
Viral Short Form Videosπ
RiseApp's co-founder, Desmond, successfully harnessed the power of short-form video content to gain traction for their iOS habit tracking app. He identified the growing trend of viral content via platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok. Using memes, motivational clips, and cinematic edits, Desmond tested multiple types of content. One particular meme video, inspired by a format used by another app, went viral with 15 million views on Instagram. This initial success helped subsequent videos gain more visibility, effectively driving downloads and engagement for RiseApp.
Why it worked: By leveraging the virality of short-form videos, which are particularly engaging and easily shareable, RiseApp managed to capture a large audience's attention. This approach was particularly effective because it integrated seamlessly into existing popular content formats that were already gaining traction with users.
Organic Growth and Multiple Formatsπ
Desmond focused on creating engaging and relatable content by experimenting with various formatsβranging from memes to cinematic editsβbefore finding what resonated with audiences. Desmond established multiple content pages to test and determine which style worked best, ultimately leading to widespread content distribution. The emphasis was placed on organic growth on platforms like Instagram, aiming for viral content that could reach millions without paid advertising.
Why it worked: This strategy was successful because it allowed RiseApp to utilize the built-in reach of social media algorithms favoring organic, viral content. By avoiding paid advertising, they maintained authenticity and generated trust among potential users, resulting in substantial app downloads and user engagement.
Rapid Meme Replicationπ
Desmond discovered the importance of replicating successful content formats. By slightly altering proven formats from other viral videos, such as those produced by Kayo, and aligning them with RiseApp's messaging, he was able to create content that consistently performed well. This approach led to increased follower engagement and app downloads.
Why it worked: Replicating successful formats tapped into existing audience preferences, leading to higher engagement. The recognition and familiarity of the format made new content more engaging, helping RiseApp reach a wider audience quickly.
What was the growth strategy for RiseApp and how did they scale?π
Organic Social Mediaπ
RiseApp achieved significant growth and reached $20,000 in monthly recurring revenue in just four months using organic social media channels. The co-founder, Desmond, leaned heavily into short-form video content on platforms like Instagram Reels. Their strategy was to create entertaining and engaging posts that identified a problem, presented a solution, and positioned RiseApp as the hero. This approach led to viral content that caught the attention of a wide audience.
Why it worked: The strategy hinged on making content that resonated with viewers on a personal level. By using relatable and entertaining short videos, RiseApp effectively captured the interest of people who were looking for a tool to help them rebuild discipline and daily routines. The viral nature of some posts helped the app reach audiences beyond their initial follower base.
Viral Video Strategyπ
RiseApp's use of viral content as a growth strategy involved testing various content types, such as memes and motivational videos, to discover what resonated best with audiences. Once a format proved successful, they replicated and adapted it across different posts. A pivotal moment came when a meme-inspired video format went viral, achieving 15 million views. This initial success boosted the visibility of subsequent content, creating a growth flywheel effect.
Why it worked: The viral videos tapped into existing cultural memes and trends while seamlessly integrating the RiseApp product into the narrative. This allowed non-followers to engage with the content, further pushing up its reach and bringing new users into the funnel. The organic nature of these videos meant that they felt authentic and were more likely to be shared.
Repurposing Content Across Platformsπ
While Instagram Reels was the primary channel due to regional restrictions on TikTok in Hong Kong, the approach was designed to fit across multiple social platforms. The content creation process focused on being able to repurpose successful videos from Instagram for potential use on TikTok and other platforms later on.
Why it worked: By initially focusing on what worked best on one platform, they could refine and optimize their content strategy. This method allowed them to create high-quality, engaging content that could be adapted for use on other platforms, ensuring a consistent brand message and broadening the appβs exposure over time.
What's the pricing strategy for RiseApp?π
RiseApp employs a freemium model targeting the self-improvement niche, offering a 66-day program with in-app purchases and subscriptions priced between $39.99 and $59.99 annually.
What were the biggest lessons learned from building RiseApp?π
- Prioritize Problem-Solving in Content: RiseApp's success in gaining traction through viral content highlights the power of storytelling. By framing the app as a solution to user problems, their content goes viral, effectively driving downloads without traditional marketing.
- Leverage Organic Social Growth: The app's growth from zero to $20K in monthly revenue using only organic social media emphasizes the importance of understanding platform algorithms. Focusing on formats that resonate with non-followers can exponentially increase content reach.
- Adapt and Iterate Fast: RiseApp's initial flops taught the founders to pivot and adapt quickly. Building, testing, and refining processes are crucial to uncover an approach that resonates and scales effectively in a competitive market.
- Handle Setbacks with Agility and Empathy: Bug fixing was a major challenge, but addressing it with urgency and customer empathy strengthened user trust. Prioritizing user satisfaction over immediate revenue can pay off in long-term loyalty and positive brand reputation.
- Emphasize Team Collaboration: Although the app had a technical co-founder and Desmond as a core team, transparent collaboration and shared goals helped overcome obstacles. For aspiring founders, fostering a supportive co-working environment can enhance innovation and resilience.
Discover Similar Business Ideas Like RiseAppπ
Pallyy, a social media scheduling platform built for social media agencies and managers, achieved almost 100% growth in the last three months, from $1300 MRR to $2450 MRR, after founder Tim Bennetto shifted focus to a particular niche of users and built new features, although he admitted to naming and branding mistakes.
A 24-year-old entrepreneur from Botswana founded iBranch Recruiters, which has already recorded over 90,000 users and has helped 1,600 users get employed since launching in 2020, using technology and artificial intelligence to connect graduates across Africa to employers globally.
More about RiseApp:π
Who is the owner of RiseApp?π
Desmond is the founder of RiseApp.
When did Desmond start RiseApp?π
2023
What is Desmond's net worth?π
Desmond's business makes an average of $20K/month.
How much money has Desmond made from RiseApp?π
Desmond started the business in 2023, and currently makes an average of $240K/year.
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