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
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
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Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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Avsnitt(954)

636: Google Play ASO for a Game with Bjorn Rave

636: Google Play ASO for a Game with Bjorn Rave

Coming up is a coaching call with someone who needs my help with his Android game. You will discover how to do ASO for a game on Google Play, how to find beautiful icons, and how to use emojis for increased conversion rates. Björn Rave is the creator of Splitterz.

29 Mars 201819min

A Clever Way to Incorporate Ads

A Clever Way to Incorporate Ads

Are you looking to make more ad money from your apps? Well in this video, I'll show you a simple, clever and more importantly clean way to incorporate ads into whatever app you may have. Watch Video on YouTube and Subscribe to our Channel: https://youtu.be/Mo1qneMp7e4

28 Mars 201811min

635: Viber Head of UA, Moshi Blum

635: Viber Head of UA, Moshi Blum

What more do I have to say than I have the Head of User Acquisition at Viber, Moshi Blum. Viber has more than 1B registered users and you will discover how to not cannibalize your organic traffic, the importance of fraud in paid acquisition campaigns and how to launch and dominate a brand new country. Moshi Blum is the Head of User Acquisition at Viber.

27 Mars 201836min

How to Launch a Really Big App Idea

How to Launch a Really Big App Idea

Coming up,How do you launch an app with a huge idea behind it like a social networking app, a new spin on an existing technology or a new directory? My recommendation is to always start small and hustle your butt off. Sometimes, we forget the early struggles of big brands such as Uber, Air BnB and just see their massive success. Watch Video on YouTube and Subscribe to our Channel: https://youtu.be/wZrOu9LXPCU

26 Mars 20185min

634: How to Capitalize on Alternative App Stores with Simon Gannon

634: How to Capitalize on Alternative App Stores with Simon Gannon

Did you know that there are other App Stores than just Google and Apple? Well today's guest is from a company that makes it so stinky easy for you to distribute on these app stores by just providing a link to your app. Also, you will discover what the biggest alternative App Store is, how to get discovered on these other platforms and how to make some money on them as well. Simon Gannon is the Marketing Director at appScatter.

22 Mars 201834min

633: Making a Native vs Hybrid App – How to Decide with Jeremy Callahan

633: Making a Native vs Hybrid App – How to Decide with Jeremy Callahan

Coming up, you are going to learn from the app guy himself, Jeremy Callahan. You will discover how to quickly prototype your app, how to decide building a native or hybrid app and most importantly why you need to build your online presence because "if they don't know you, they can't flow you". Jeremy Callahan is the CTO and Founder of Callahan & Associates.

20 Mars 201833min

How to Expand to Global Markets (China, India & Southeast Asia)

How to Expand to Global Markets (China, India & Southeast Asia)

Coming up, you know how the western markets are maturing and most of the growth is now coming from markets like India, China and Southeast Asia? Well, you're about to discover the step-by-step process for expanding to these markets in a cost effective way Watch Video on YouTube and Subscribe to our Channel: https://youtu.be/5IkXurOD5Dg

19 Mars 20185min

632: 7 Expert Tips From The Top Game Publishers

632: 7 Expert Tips From The Top Game Publishers

Coming up is something a little different. I've done over 600 plus episodes on the podcast and this one is a compilation of some of the best expert tips from all the top game publishers. I went in and listened to them again to pick out the best nuggets for you. So here it is expert tips from the guys from Rovio, Glu, Ketchapp and so much more.

15 Mars 201834min

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