Is it better for Investree to focus on acquiring new users or increasing engagement and transaction volume from our existing user base?

Introduction

The key trade-off we're examining for Investree is whether to focus on acquiring new users or increasing engagement and transaction volume from our existing user base. This decision is critical for our growth strategy and resource allocation. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering our business context, user impact, technical feasibility, and resource implications.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Business Context: I'm thinking our current growth stage might influence this decision. Could you share where we are in terms of market penetration and how that aligns with our long-term vision?

Why it matters: Helps determine if we've reached a saturation point in our target market. Expected answer: Early growth stage with significant market opportunity remaining. Impact on approach: Would lean towards new user acquisition if substantial untapped market exists.

• User Impact: Based on our user segments, I'm curious about the engagement levels across different cohorts. Can you provide insights into how engagement varies between new and existing users?

Why it matters: Identifies potential for increasing engagement within specific user groups. Expected answer: Newer users show lower engagement, but high potential for growth. Impact on approach: Might suggest focusing on improving onboarding and early-stage engagement.

• Technical Feasibility: Considering our current platform capabilities, I'm wondering about any technical limitations for scaling user acquisition or enhancing engagement features. What's our current technical capacity for both?

Why it matters: Ensures proposed strategies are technically viable. Expected answer: Platform can handle growth, but some engagement features require development. Impact on approach: Could influence timeline and resource allocation for chosen strategy.

• Resource Allocation: Given our current team structure, I'm thinking about how our resources are distributed. How are our product and marketing teams currently balanced between acquisition and retention efforts?

Why it matters: Identifies potential resource constraints or reallocation needs. Expected answer: More resources currently allocated to acquisition than retention. Impact on approach: Might suggest rebalancing efforts if we decide to focus on engagement.

• Timeline and Urgency: Considering our financial projections, I'm curious about the urgency of this decision. Are there any specific growth or revenue targets we need to hit in the near term?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize short-term vs. long-term strategies. Expected answer: Moderate pressure to show growth in next two quarters. Impact on approach: Could influence the balance between immediate acquisition tactics and longer-term engagement strategies.