VibePop

2023
Passionate about creating a positive, user-centered platform, I launched VibePop, an app you can share your unique self and get instant positive reactions from your peers. Though it didn't find lasting success, it ignited my drive to better understand how to build successful social experiences for a new generation.

Origin story

It became evident from r/teenagers that Gen Z craved connection and weren't shy about posting selfie Q&A's to spark conversations and share experiences. VibePop was born from this insight.  Instead of scattered threads across social media, VibePop offers a dedicated space where Gen Z can safely express themselves, receive positive feedback from peers, and build genuine connections – all inspired by the positive online community witnessed on r/teenagers.

Brand Tone

Messaging

VibePop is where you express yourself! Share fun selfies, get instant reactions, and connect with awesome people.

  • Characteristics

    Playful
    Inclusive
    Positive
    Authentic

Identity

MVP

Product Market Testing

Growth strategy

  • Targeted Launch: Focused initial release on schools in Arizona, outside of major urban centers, for a more representative test of organic growth.

  • Hyper-Localization: Customized the app's appearance (skinning) for each school to increase a sense of belonging and boost initial adoption.

  • Growth Hacking: Used elements of gamification by 1) temporarily limiting access to certain features, encouraging users to take specific actions to unlock them, and 2) Introducing “Best Vibe of the Week” to drive engagement and boost submissions

  • Content Generation: Successfully prompted new users to create content by using anonymous selfie requests, kickstarting engagement.

Key findings

  • Finding 1: Onboarding friction led to high sign-up abandonment. To combat this, streamline the signup process by minimizing steps and immediately highlighting the app's value.

  • Finding 2: To combat mismatched selfies, we gave users the power to create their own prompts. This fosters increased relevance and boosts engagement as teens connect with topics they find personally meaningful.

  • Finding 3: Expanding the social scope to include Vibes from other schools increases content variety and engagement.

Conclusion

The VibePop journey, though ultimately not reaching its full potential, taught me invaluable lessons about the tension between social media's focus on rapid growth and the desire to create a truly positive and authentic space. These insights continue to fuel my passion for exploring new models of building a platform for meaningful social interactions.