The Path to $100,000 ARR - What Flopped with Paid Ads

The Path to $100,000 ARR - What Flopped with Paid Ads

In this episode, Asher Herbstman and Thatcher Clough, co-founders of Clear30, share the journey of taking their app, Clear30, from idea to 6,000 weekly downloads, $8K MRR, and $100K ARR through subscription revenue.

They reveal how a broken onboarding flow nearly stalled growth—and the psychology-driven A/B tests that turned it around. You’ll also hear what worked (and what flopped) with paid ads, plus how they leveraged research partnerships and federal grants to fuel momentum.

Whether you’re an indie founder or scaling your own app, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons on user psychology, onboarding optimization, retention strategies, and sustainable growth that you can start applying today.

You will discover:

✅ How to spot and fix a broken onboarding flow

✅ AB test ideas that actually move the needle

✅ Psychology tactics to persuade and retain users

Learn More:

🌐 Website: https://clear30.org/

📲 App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clear30-quit-smoking-weed/id6476418203

Want expert guidance to grow your app?

Book a quick call with App Masters:

https://appmasters.com/contact-us/

Indie App Santa: https://www.indieappsanta.com

Get training, coaching, and community: ⁠https://appmastersacademy.com/

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YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
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Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
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Avsnitt(968)

Pre Launch App Marketing: Why you should do it?

Pre Launch App Marketing: Why you should do it?

Coming up I'm going to share the importance of a soft-launch strategy and why it should be a part of your marketing plan. Watch Video on YouTube and Subscribe to our Channel: https://youtu.be/mCtZ48C5OlI

30 Apr 20188min

644: Mobile App Engagement and Retention with Scott Ritchie

644: Mobile App Engagement and Retention with Scott Ritchie

Coming up is a presentation from our App Masters Connect event in Santa Monica where Scott Ritchie, Head of Business Development at Pyze, will share why your addressable market is a lot smaller than you think, the customer value growth checklist and what moves the needle for your app business. Scott Ritchie is the Head of Business Development at Pyze.

26 Apr 201815min

643: Selling An App for 5x Revenue with Trevor McKendrick

643: Selling An App for 5x Revenue with Trevor McKendrick

Today's guest sold his app for 5X his yearly revenues. He shares how he came up with the idea and how getting on the Startup Podcast led to his eventual acquisition. Also you will discover why he should have hired an M&A lawyer during the negotiations, how he did research on his acquiring company and finally what he felt like after the sale. Trevor McKendrick is Entrepreneur and Writer at HowItActuallyWorks.com.

24 Apr 201831min

How to Overcome Fear

How to Overcome Fear

I want to talk to you about fear, overcoming it, accepting it and smashing through it! Watch Video on YouTube and Subscribe to our Channel: https://youtu.be/LY9nRIvGodI

20 Apr 20185min

642: How to Get Higher Search Ranking with Shane McLean

642: How to Get Higher Search Ranking with Shane McLean

Coming up is a coaching call with a listener who has 1.7 million downloads for his period tracker app. You will discover how he can rank higher for his most desired keywords, my suggestions on his app icon and screen shots and how to optimize your app name and subtitle for optimal growth.

19 Apr 201826min

Video Ads Optimization for Mobile Games

Video Ads Optimization for Mobile Games

i'm going to show you an example of an app that is optimizing their video ads so well that I'm watching 4-5 ads every time I play the game. Watch Video on YouTube and Subscribe to our Channel: https://youtu.be/HLVCygPrkF4

18 Apr 201815min

641: How to Hack PR with Jake Ellenburg

641: How to Hack PR with Jake Ellenburg

Coming up is a presentation from our App Masters Connect event in Santa Monica where you will discover how Jake Ellenburg, CMO at XMode, drove millions of downloads for Drunk Mode primarily through press. Listen to why "Not Porn" was his favorite subject line, how he hacked LinkedIn to get connected to reporters and why you should NOT land all your desired press at once. Jake Ellenburg is the CMO at XMode.

17 Apr 201831min

App Founders Unite Happening in Bali

App Founders Unite Happening in Bali

You’re just one connection away… The #1 intimate event bringing successful app entrepreneurs together to build lasting relationships. This is like no other event you’ve ever experienced. You will walk away with more meaningful connections and actionable, personal advice to help you grow your business. Watch Video on YouTube and Subscribe to our Channel: https://youtu.be/orsyr_tVP4c

13 Apr 20188min

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