Spotify has a 1-month trial membership. We noticed that users were not converting to paid membership after the free trial. From a product standpoint, what can you do to improve user engagement and subsequent customer retention?

Thank you for providing such a comprehensive framework for addressing this product growth challenge. I appreciate the structured approach and the emphasis on demonstrating deep product thinking and leadership. I'll now proceed to answer the question about improving Spotify's trial-to-paid conversion rate, following the outlined steps and format.

Introduction

The core challenge we're addressing is improving Spotify's conversion rate from free trial users to paid subscribers. This involves enhancing user engagement during the trial period and implementing strategies to increase customer retention post-trial. I'll approach this by analyzing the current situation, identifying key growth levers, and proposing data-driven strategies to boost conversion and retention rates.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on the growth challenge described, I'm assuming we're focusing solely on Spotify's music streaming service. Is that correct, or should we consider other Spotify products like podcasts or audiobooks?

Why it matters: This helps us tailor our strategies to the specific product offerings. Expected answer: Yes, focus on the core music streaming service. Impact on approach: We'll prioritize music-centric engagement strategies.

• Are there any specific growth metrics or timelines we're aiming for? For instance, is there a target conversion rate or a specific timeframe for improvement?

Why it matters: This helps set clear, measurable goals for our growth strategies. Expected answer: Aiming to increase conversion rate by 20% within 6 months. Impact on approach: We'll focus on high-impact, short to medium-term strategies.

• Do we have any data on user behavior during the trial period? For example, average listening time, playlist creation, or social sharing activities?

Why it matters: This information will help us identify engagement patterns and potential drop-off points. Expected answer: Yes, we have data on key engagement metrics during the trial. Impact on approach: We'll use this data to target specific behaviors that correlate with conversion.

• Are there any geographic or market-specific constraints we should be aware of? For instance, are we focusing on global growth or specific regions?

Why it matters: Different markets may require tailored approaches due to local preferences or competition. Expected answer: Focus on global strategies, with the ability to adapt to key markets. Impact on approach: We'll propose scalable solutions with room for localization.