AAARRR Funnel

Braindump

Last modified by Théo LE GOFF ⋅ 7 days ago

Table of Content:

• AAARRR Funnel
• Awareness
• 💰 Paid
• 🤚 Virals
• 🔍 Organic Content & Community Flywheels
• 🧠 Thought Leadership & Authority Building
• ⚙️ Programmatic / Passive Growth
• 📈 Experimental / High-ROI Plays
• 📊 Revenue Metrics to Add
• Acquisition
• 💰 Paid
• 🔗 Conversion Infrastructure
• 🧪 Targeted Campaign Tactics
• 🧲 High-Intent Channels
• 🧠 Smart GTM Motion
• 🧠 Diagnostic Tip
• 📊 Revenue Metrics to Add
• Activation
• ⚙️ Product-Led Hooks
• 🧠 Smart Nudges & Reinforcement
• 💡 Learning + Context
• 📊 Data Visibility
• 🪄 Dev-centric?
• 📊 Revenue Metrics to Add
• Retention
• 🧭 Product Value Loop
• 👥 User Behavior Anchors
• 🔒 Friction to Leave
• ❤️ Community & Connection
• 🛎️ Support-Driven Retention
• 📊 Revenue Metrics to Add
• Revenue
• 🔼 Upsell & Expansion Levers
• 🧠 Pricing Strategy Inputs
• 📈 Revenue Acceleration Programs
• 🧲 Churn-to-Revenue Recovery
• 📊 Revenue Metrics to Add
• Referral
• 🔄 Viral Loops & Shareable Product Value
• ⚡ Trigger-Based Referrals
• 💬 Human Amplification
• 🧰 System Levers
• 📊 Revenue Metrics to Add

Awareness

organic (SEO, LinkedIn, Reddit), paid (SEM, Paid Ads), viral/social (Friends, Tiktok), and community-driven (Product Hunt, Hacker News) sources.

💰 Paid

• SEM / Paid Ads → Google Ads or keyword-targeted search engine campaigns bringing in intent-based traffic.
• PR / Press mentions (TechCrunch, niche blogs, industry newsletters)

🤚 Virals

• X (Twitter) → Dev, tech, or crypto-savvy audiences. High virality if done right.
• TikTok → Casual, viral, creator-focused awareness. Depends on format and product.
• Hacker News → Dev/tech-focused virality. Posts must be novel or opinionated to gain traction.
• Influencer shoutouts (not just TikTok/IG collabs, but micro-influencers in niche communities)
• Sponsoring events / hackathons (offline or online)
• Memes / culture hacking (low cost, very high awareness potential)

🔍 Organic Content & Community Flywheels

• SEO Organic → Traffic from search queries, blog posts, landing pages, and indexed content.
• LinkedIn → B2B, thought leadership, product announcements. Strong for founder-led marketing.
• Instagram → Visual storytelling, best for creative tools or consumer products.
• YouTube → Long-form content, explainer videos, demos—great for evergreen awareness.
• Reddit → Authentic community-based awareness. Needs careful, value-driven posting—not spam.
• Medium → Content hub for thought leadership. Helps drive SEO + cross-channel value.
• Product Hunt → Launch-focused visibility for new features or products. One-time burst + long-tail SEO.
• Friends → Early users from your network, often helping in zero-to-one stage.
• Affiliate Program → Partners get paid to refer others. Adds scale without upfront spend.
• Website Impressions → Catch-all for traffic landing on your domain—tracked via Google Analytics or similar.
• Quora / Stack Overflow – Long-tail SEO gold if your audience is technical or problem-focused.
• Newsletter Sponsorships / Cross-promos – Partner with niche newsletters (e.g., TLDR, Dense Discovery).
• Communities (Slack/Discord) – Find niche spaces (e.g., IndieHackers, Designer Hangouts, RevOps Co-Op).
• Podcasts / Guest Appearances – Earned media that builds awareness and authority.
• Influencer Partnerships / Collabs – Especially effective in devtools, health, and creator spaces.
• Community platforms (Indie Hackers, Makerlog, Designer Hangouts, Reddit subreddits beyond /r/startups)

🧠 Thought Leadership & Authority Building

• Webinars / Livestreams – Combine education + top-funnel awareness.
• Conference Talks / Panels – IRL or virtual, these spark inbound if tied to real problems.
• Open Source Projects / GitHub Repos – If relevant, huge driver of bottom-up awareness.
• Review sites beyond G2/Capterra (Trustpilot, Product Hunt alternatives, niche SaaS directories)
• Cold outreach with viral hooks (not pure “acquisition,” but it often drives buzz)

⚙️ Programmatic / Passive Growth

• Free Tools / Side Projects – “Powered by” or “Try this tool” links can compound impressions.
• Badges / Widgets / Embeds – E.g., “Proudly built with X” on users’ sites.
• Directory Listings / AlternativeTo / G2 / Capterra – High-intent top-funnel if optimized well.
• Template marketplaces (Notion, Figma, Zapier, Webflow) if relevant
• University / student programs (early adopters love free credits or student packs)

📈 Experimental / High-ROI Plays

• Cold Outbound (with content) – Not just selling, but awareness via personalized content.
• AI Chatbot Directories (e.g., FutureTools, There's An AI For That) – If relevant.
• Micro-viral stunts / Tweetstorms / Founder Threads – Manual but powerful.
• App store optimization (ASO) if you’ve got an app (App Store, Play Store search/discovery)

📊 Revenue Metrics to Add

(Are people hearing about you?)

• Impressions by Channel

→ Measures reach: SEO, social, PR, ads, etc.

• Website Traffic (Unique Visitors)

→ Actual visits—not just views—across key entry pages.

• Branded Search Volume

→ Are people specifically looking for you? Strong signal of mindshare.

Acquisition

owned, earned, and paid entry points.

💰 Paid

• Retargeting → Ad-based follow-up to site visitors or bounced users. Reinforces brand until they return.
• Influencers → Paid or unpaid creators bringing in qualified leads via social proof and audience trust.
• Partner bundles (your product packaged with a complementary tool, e.g., Notion + your app)

🔗 Conversion Infrastructure

• Sign-Up → Core conversion metric. Can be email, OAuth, or SSO-based. Tracked by cohort.
• Social proof nudges (live conversion popups “X person just signed up,” logos from ICPs)
• Interactive tools / calculators (ROI calculators, cost-savings tools, config builders)
• Meeting Booked → High-intent lead conversion. Often from form > calendar > confirmation sequence.
• Landing Page → Conversion-focused page driving email capture or signups. CTA should match visitor intent.
• Cold Outbound → Email/DM outreach. Works well if you nail ICP, value prop, and offer. Needs tracking.
• Lead Magnets / Gated Assets – eBooks, templates, reports → lead capture before signup.
• Localized landing pages (geo/IP targeting for credibility + higher signups in specific markets)
• Multi-step Onboarding Pages – Progressive disclosure can increase conversions.
• Free Trial / Freemium Offer – Key for SaaS or PLG motions.
• Chatbots / Live Chat – Convert hesitant traffic into leads or booked demos (e.g. Drift, Intercom).
• Calendly Embedded CTAs – Make “Book a Call” frictionless.
• Community-gated trials (join Slack/Discord → unlock early access, creates both conversion + stickiness)

🧪 Targeted Campaign Tactics

• ICP Classification → Scoring or tagging leads to segment ideal customers from low-fit ones. Enables tailored nurture.
• Welcome Flow (Email/SMS) – First 24h post-lead is prime time for conversion.
• Exit-intent popups – Grab emails from leaving users.
• Product Demos / Mini-Tours – Videos, Looms, or embedded Walkthroughs.
• Retargeting by Funnel Stage – Different ads for “visited feature page” vs. “abandoned signup.”
• Pricing experiments as acquisition (starter plan, usage-based pricing, founder discount codes)
• “Done-for-you” setup offers (reduce signup friction by hand-holding first setup, especially for B2B)

🧲 High-Intent Channels

• Vertical Webpages → Tailored by industry or persona (e.g., “AI for Marketers”). Higher conversion if well-targeted.
• User-Generated Content → Case studies, templates, or testimonials created by users → attracts others.
• Reverse content → product flows (turn blog posts, playbooks, templates into gated signups with in-product unlocks)
• Hackathon → Event-based acquisition. If product-led, can convert users into long-term fans.
• Comparison Pages – "[X] vs [You]" pages convert ready-to-buy users.
• Review Site Traffic (Capterra/G2 clickouts) – Exploit warm intent via paid boosts or CTAs.

🧠 Smart GTM Motion

• Affiliate Program → Tied to awareness, but brings in qualified traffic directly to signup or offer page.
• Use-Case Pages per ICP – Not just vertical (already in), but job-to-be-done narratives.
• Founder-led Outreach – Still underused; converts well when done personally.
• Reverse Trials – Start with premium, downgrade after N days unless they pay.

🧠 Diagnostic Tip

Ask: What’s the clear handoff from awareness → signup/meeting?

• If SEO: is there a CTA-rich blog engine?
• If Influencers: is attribution tracked to a signup?
• If Cold: is messaging tied to urgency or pain?

📊 Revenue Metrics to Add

(Are they taking the first step?)

• Signups / Leads Captured

→ Absolute # of users who register, opt in, or request demo.

• Visitor-to-Signup Rate (%)

→ Measures landing page efficiency and intent match.

• Cost per Acquisition (CPA)

→ Paid channels: how much does each signup cost you?

Activation

⇒ Activation = time-to-value. Ruthlessly remove friction until “user gets why this is awesome.”

⚙️ Product-Led Hooks

• Onboarding Flow → Series of guided steps post-signup to help user complete setup. Can be modal, embedded, or full-page.
• “First Win” Milestone Tracking – Auto-check when a user hits success criteria (e.g., first project created, first data sent).
• Guided Product Tours (Tooltips, Walkthroughs) – Tools like Appcues, Userflow, or intro.js.
• Interactive Checklists – “Do this → do that → get value” gamifies onboarding.
• Changelog → Public list of feature updates or bug fixes. Shows product is alive and evolving.
• Personalized onboarding (based on ICP or self-selection quiz) → different flows for devs vs PMs vs designers.

🧠 Smart Nudges & Reinforcement

• NPS + Feedback Triggers – Ask “Was this helpful?” when users complete actions.
• Embedded success stories in-product → not just docs, but short clips/snippets showing how peers solved it.
• Empty state design that teaches → instead of blank screens, preload with dummy data, templates, or demo results.
• Time-based Nudges – “Still need help with [X]? Let’s finish this now.”
• In-app Messages Based on Behavior – Personalize based on stuck points.
• Lifecycle Emails → Triggered emails based on behavior. E.g., “You haven’t finished onboarding,” “Try feature X next.”
• AI-powered personalization (your own product’s data adapting onboarding, not just static checklists).
• Milestone celebrations → confetti, badges, or simple positive reinforcement when they hit key actions.

💡 Learning + Context

• Support → Live chat, email, or ticketing. Helps unblock early users and prevent churn.
• Collaborative hooks → invite teammates during setup (Slack-style viral activation).
• Use Case Recipes / How Others Did It – Frame value using other users’ wins.
• Office Hours / AMAs – Low-lift, real-time support = faster unblock.
• AI Copilots (if relevant) – Generate first action, fill gaps, auto-guide.
• Webinar → Live or recorded session helping users understand product value or unlock first use case.
• Documentation → Help articles, API docs, setup guides. Essential for self-serve onboarding or dev-heavy tools.
• Templates → Pre-built use cases or starter kits to help users get value faster (esp. for productivity or dev tools).
• Gamified streaks or progress scoring → “You’re 80% to your first [core action].”
• Customer success “concierge” option → optional human touch at the exact friction points.

📊 Data Visibility

• Progress Dashboards / Setup Completion Bars – Show what’s missing.
• Product Usage Highlights – “You’ve sent 42 events this week—nice!”

🪄 Dev-centric?

• Sandbox Environments – Safe playgrounds for APIs, integrations, or workflows.
• Instant Templates / One-click Deploys – For devtools or infra: skip config hell.

📊 Revenue Metrics to Add

(Are they getting value fast?)

• Time to First Value (TTFV)

→ How fast users reach their first “aha” moment (e.g., project created, file uploaded).

• % Users Reaching Activation Milestone

→ E.g., 70% of signups complete onboarding and create first asset.

• Onboarding Completion Rate

→ Who actually finishes what you ask? Dropoff here kills growth.

Retention

Retention isn’t just reminders—it's about habit formation and ongoing perceived value.

⇒ Making value a habit. You’re halfway there—just make it continuous, personal, and predictable.

🧭 Product Value Loop

• Usage-Based Nudges – “You haven’t used [key feature] in a while.”
• Dynamic In-App Tips – Based on activity level or last feature used.
• Weekly Activity Summaries – Reinforce value and FOMO: “You saved 12 hours this week.”
• Predictive churn prevention → ML/heuristics flagging “likely churners” → triggered CS/automation.

👥 User Behavior Anchors

• Saved Projects / Drafts / Sessions – Give users a reason to return with intent.
• Personalized Dashboards – Let them see their own wins (metrics, milestones).
• Collaborator Invites – “Bring your team” = stickier engagement.
• Community retention loops → active forums, templates marketplace, user groups.

🔒 Friction to Leave

• Session Continuity / Cross-Device Sync – Helps devtools, SaaS, productivity.
• Soft Lock-in via Integrations – e.g., “connected to Slack, Stripe, etc.”
• Data Portability but Only on Plan X – Careful with ethics here.
• Data network effects → the more you use it, the more valuable it becomes (e.g. history, personalization, team collaboration).
• “Evergreen value” content inside product → tips, evolving templates, continuous education inside the tool itself.

❤️ Community & Connection

• Power User Recognition / Badges – People stay where they feel seen.
• Customer Advisory Board / Beta Groups – Build ownership.
• Seasonal Events / Themes – Create rhythm: monthly challenges, contests.
• Tiered loyalty rewards → perks for milestones (1 year using the product, x projects shipped, etc.).

🛎️ Support-Driven Retention

• Churn Catch Flow – Trigger “What went wrong?” → fast recovery offer.
• Proactive Support Touchpoints – Detect early signs of drop-off: “Need help?”
• Workflow lock-in → deep integrations that make your product the hub, not just a tool (Zapier, Notion-style embed, APIs).
• Personalized ROI reporting → monthly usage reports showing time/money saved, value delivered.

📊 Revenue Metrics to Add

• Day 1, 7, 30 Retention
• Feature Stickiness: % users using core feature N times in X days
• Cohort Analysis by segment (plan, source, use case)

Revenue

⇒ Conversion + expansion + retention loops. You’re only covering the "measure" part now—add the systems to grow it.

To drive revenue, you need levers—tactics that increase conversion, upsell, expansion, and pricing power.

🔼 Upsell & Expansion Levers

• Usage-Based Paywalls – “You’ve hit 80% of your quota” → upgrade now.
• Feature Gating / Tiered Value – Lock high-value features to upper plans.
• In-App Upgrade Prompts – Smart nudges based on usage (e.g., “You’d benefit from X”).
• Add-ons & Seats Model – Encourage expansion without friction.
• Premium support tiers → response-time SLAs, white-glove onboarding, dedicated CSM.

🧠 Pricing Strategy Inputs

• Plan ROI Calculator – Help users justify the upgrade.
• A/B Test Pricing Pages – Copy, layout, anchor plans, etc.
• Persona-Based Plans – Customize pricing to segment: solo, team, enterprise.
• Value metrics pricing → charge tied to actual value delivered (projects, seats, API calls, revenue impact).
• Localized pricing → higher conversion internationally (Stripe + Paddle make it easy).
• Usage alerts as upsell nudges → “You’ve hit 80% of quota, upgrade before interruption.”
• Founders’ discount → urgency-based upgrades (limited early adopter pricing that sunsets).

📈 Revenue Acceleration Programs

• Sales-Assisted Motions (if high ACV) – Add AE or BDR touch for enterprise.
• Trial → Paid Upgrade Flow – Highlight ROI achieved during trial.
• Annual Plan Pushes – With limited-time discounts or added perks.
• Expansion revenue loops → add-ons that naturally grow with usage (storage, AI credits, advanced features).
• Bundling with partners → co-selling packages, saving users the headache of stitching tools.
• VIP / enterprise exclusives → early roadmap access, advisory board invites, private betas.

🧲 Churn-to-Revenue Recovery

• Downgrade Offers Instead of Cancelling – “Pause your account” or “Pay what you want.”
• Automated Win-Back Campaigns – “Here’s what’s new—come back for 30 days free.”

📊 Revenue Metrics to Add

• LTV:CAC ratio
• Expansion Revenue %
• Gross Revenue Retention (GRR)
• Attach Rate (if you have multiple products)

Referral

🔄 Viral Loops & Shareable Product Value

• “Made with [Your Product]” Badge / Footer – Like Notion, Figma, Webflow. Passive but powerful.
• Share-to-Use Features – Gated perks unlocked only by sharing or inviting (e.g. Loom’s referral unlocks).
• Built-in Public Pages / Portfolios – Let users publish and share content made with your product.
• Cross-product embeds → public pages, widgets, portfolios that spread outside your product.
• Dual-sided rewards → Dropbox-style “you get X, your friend gets Y” → always stronger than 1-sided.

⚡ Trigger-Based Referrals

• Post-Success Triggers – After a key event: “Got value? Share it!” (e.g., “Build launched? Share it.”)
• Milestone-Driven Rewards – Invite 3 → get X. Built into user growth path.
• “Invite your team” CTA in dashboard – Especially sticky in SaaS and PLG.
• In-product collaboration triggers → “invite teammate to unlock feature” (Figma/Notion-style viral loops).
• Tiered referral perks → not just one payout, but milestones (1 invite = swag, 5 = free month, 20 = lifetime badge).
• Influencer/affiliate-lite program → let power users scale referrals beyond casual shares.

💬 Human Amplification

• Founder Ask – “We’re a small team, your share matters. Help us grow?”
• Case Study Sharing Toolkit – Make it easy for users to write about their success.
• Contextual ask timing → prompt users to share only after success (just built X, just closed Y).

🧰 System Levers

• Referral Leaderboard – Gamifies referrals inside your community.
• UTM links for every user – Trackable, incentivized, and visible for power users.

📊 Revenue Metrics to Add

• Viral Coefficient (k-factor)
• Referral Conversion Rate (% of ref invitees who activate)
• Top Referrers → funnel them to ambassador tier