Guiding the Aimless Explorer: Why Apps

Need In-App Messaging and Why Push Isnt

Enough
Push notifications are a lifeline from your app to your latent users; theyre designed to motivate
people to return to your app. But once a user hops back on your apps bandwagon, push has
no more power to communicate with these users or, to influence their behavior. Push messaging
has long been the darling of mobile.
After all, push notifications help todays app makers and marketers tackle a big challenge:
capturing someones attention in an era in which goldfish yes, goldfish are more attentive
than your average user and distraction is just a glance up or a buttons touch away.
Thats why in-app messages are absolutely essential, they are the only way you can nurture
and engage youractive app users.
Think of it like this: Push messages are the gatekeepers, the ushers, and the greeters that warmly
welcome you to a store you havent visited in a while. Once inside, in-app messages are like the
department signs, the clear pathways, and the floor personnel that help you find what you need
efficiently. Without the in-store sales associate, the casual window shopper may just get lost in a
labyrinth of merchandise (i.e. app features), never make a purchase, and never build a solid
connection to your brand - which is why apps with in-app messages get 2-3.5x more loyal users!
Push messages indeed help you regain attention. But in-app messages help you direct that
attention into meaningful action.

An Introduction to InApp Messaging

What is In-App Messaging Exactly?
In-app messages are the pop-ups or notifications that appear when a user is active within the app
itself.

Unlike intrusive mobile ads that stick out like a sore thumb, in-app messages are a native part of
the app experience, so theyre usually well branded and well designed. Put simply, in-app
messages look and feel like they belong in the app.
This form of messaging is also highly contextual and rooted in analytics, and can be triggered
based on a users in-app behavior and attributes (such as location, gender, and device). They are
a direct response to what your user is currently doing in the app.

What is the Purpose of In-App Messaging?

More and more people are demanding personalized digital experiences. Fortunately, apps collect
a treasure trove of behavioral and profile data that can be put to use to create tailored app
messages.
In-app messages are a key tool in helping brands create that personalized experience because
they reflect the actions a user is currently taking within an app they are an immediate result of
behavior.
These highly relevant and real-time in-app messages nurture app users and boost engagement by
gently nudging people through app funnels toward the ultimate in-app action (like subscribing,
watching a video, or buying an item).
A guiding light within the app, these personalized alerts encourage app exploration and
discovery, increase session time, and spur conversions.

Why are Apps Hesitant to Use In-App

Messaging? Comparing Myth vs. Reality
Myth: In-app messaging is widely adopted by brands everybody is already using it, and it
wont set me apart.
Reality: In-app messaging is an underutilized tactic with untapped potential that you need to
capitalize on right now.
Despite being the only way brands can communicate with active app users, only 1/3 of apps
actually employ this tactic. Yet, according to our recent research, when in-app messages are used
effectively, there is a strong correlation with higher user loyalty and engagement.

In fact, apps that send in-app messages show 2-3.5x higher user retention and have 27%
more app launches than apps that do not. And since app abandonment has jumped from 20%
in 2014 to 25% in 2015, in-app messages are an even more vital part of a healthy app strategy.
Myth: In-app messages are akin to mobile ads, so my app users will find them annoying and
spammy.
Reality: In-app messages are absolutely not like mobile ads because they enhance, not degrade,
the app experience.
If in-app messages can yield such powerful results, why are companies so sluggish to send them?
It may be because some brands erroneously confuse in-app messaging with mobile ads and
therefore, assume their users will find these pop-ups distracting. But, there are stark differences
between the two.

First, mobile ads are banner ads that showcase your app inside other apps to drive new
installs. Conversely, in-app messages do not promote your app to new audiences; instead,
they provide value to your existing users. (If your app monetization model is to sell ad space
in your own app, you have to make sure your in-app messages look distinct from these ads
so users dont get confused about which is which.)

Second, mobile ads claim a portion of your precious app screen, while in-app messages
do not compromise the app experience.

Third, even smart, relevant, and targeted mobile ads interrupt what a user is doing inside
an app, whereas in-app messages are triggered based on a users current in-app behavior
making these messages feel a lot more natural and fluid. By the way, in-app messages
triggered from an in-app event are 4x more effective than those that simply appear
whenever a user opens an app.

And finally, in-app messages have a higher click-through rate on average (28%) versus
mobile ads (0.56%). Now, this is not to say that in-app messaging is better than mobile ads
rather, that they are different tactics, with different purposes, and different benefits and
results.

Here is an example of a mobile ad for Living Social (which appeared inside Words with Friends
and drove people to Living Socials app store listing) versus an in-app message sent by Living
Social (which helped active app users easily redeem an offer).
Myth: In-app messaging is the same as in-app chat.
Reality: In-app messaging is for nurturing app users toward meaningful action, not providing
one-to-one live service and support.
While some brands mistake mobile advertising for in-app messaging, others think of it as in-app
chat which is also incorrect because in-app chat and in-app messaging fit into different stages
of the user engagement lifecycle. Specifically, in-app chat is for retention whereas in-app
messaging is for engagement and growth.

In-app chat refers to a two-way, back-and-forth conversation that a user can have inside your app
with a customer representative. Usually, this conversation is initiated by the user because he or
she needs help, has a question, or wants to report an issue. In this way, in-app chat works to
retain users by providing efficient and accessible customer support.
On the other hand, an in-app message is a rich, visual notification that appears as a direct
response to what a user is doing (or, is not doing, but should be doing) in your app. Unlike in-app
chat, these messages are automated and set up by the app developer or marketer to appear at key
points of interactivity. The goal here is to nurture users and help guide them through the app
towards the penultimate in-app action.
Here is an example of what in-app chat looks like versus an in-app message. As you can see, the
in-app chat feature is there when you need it while an in-app message pops up to encourage
the user to remain active and do more within the app.

What a Successful InApp Messaging

Campaign Looks Like
Up to this point, weve proven that:

Only sending push notifications isn't enough

In-app messaging is essential to nurturing your active app users

In-app messaging increases user loyalty, engagement, and conversions

In-app messaging is completely different from mobile ads and in-app chat

A strong app strategy needs in-app messaging as part of the mix, but not all in-app messages are
created equal.
In this section, well walk you through the anatomy of a successful in-app messaging campaign,
including how to use analytics, what variables to test, and what kind of content works.

1. Find the Right Target Audience

No two app users are the same, so an in-app messaging campaign that is sent to all active users
will fall short. You need to segment people by their interests, attributes, and in-app behavior.
For example, lets say you want to boost purchases in your mCommerce app by giving people a
free shipping promo code. As enticing as this offer sounds, it likely wont appear relevant to
people who have never browsed your in-app products (a better offer could be a message that
encourages these users to view the latest in-app sales). And it especially wont please people if
they receive this free shipping promo after theyve completed the in-app checkout process.
The best target audience for this free shipping in-app campaign is the group of users who were
on the cusp of making purchase, but never checked out. This user segment could look something
like this:
All users who have visited a product screen at least twice in the last 14 days, but have not added
an item to their cart.
You could further slice and dice this audience by session length, country, etc., but the point is: inapp messages need to be targeted to the right audience based on their actions and
characteristics.
Key Takeaways:

Do not employ a one size fits all strategy

Identify important user attributes and behaviors, and then create relevant target audiences

Choose this audience when crafting your in-app messaging campaign

2. Trigger In-App Messages in Real-time,

Based on Events
Once you have your target audiences selected, think about what these groups of users are likely
to do next and set up in-app messages that trigger when they complete that action (i.e. event). Inapp messages triggered from an in-app event are 4x more effective in converting users.
If we return to the target audience from the previous section (the users who had viewed products
at least twice in the last two weeks, but failed to actually add those items to their cart), the best
time to show these users the Free Shipping! promo would be when they view another product.

In this moment, the user would be actively thinking about something they like and want to
purchase they would be mentally primed for conversion. In this moment, the user would also
be facing buyers dilemma they would be teeter tottering on what to do next. And your in-app
offer would be most welcome because it would sway them to buy.
Key Takeaways:

Think about what your target audiences will likely do next in your app

Set up in-app messaging to trigger in real-time off an event (i.e. an action taken inside the
app)

Do not simply trigger all your in-app messages as soon as users re-open your app (make
them contextual to specific scenarios)

3. Analyze Your Funnels

How do people flow through your app? What screen do they start at? Where do they go next?
How do you want them to navigate through your app? What do you want them to do?
All of these questions pertain to your app funnels the pathways in your app that lead to a
desired outcome or action. The goal of your mobile marketing is to move users across the golden
conversion line, to the ultimate in-app action. So, understanding the various steps within your
funnels, and whether users complete them or not, will inform your in-app messaging campaigns.
By analyzing your funnels, you can pinpoint where users are falling out of a desired path
and create an in-app messaging campaign that targets that drop-off.
Key Takeaways:

Determine the most important user actions in your app

Analyze how users are currently moving through your funnels

Create your in-app messaging campaign to correspond to conversion steps within

important funnels

4. Create a Personalized Offer

With your chosen target users in hand and an idea of where in the conversion funnel your
campaign will work, create an offer targeted to address that audience specifically.
The best in-app messaging campaigns are those born from data. Whether its an exclusive
sale or discount code, access to premium content, or a prompt to follow your brand on social
media, your offer should speak to your audience, fit the funnel, and serve to increase engagement
and improve usage.
It should also feel as though its a natural part of the app, and not an additional marketing
initiative. A great in-app message arrives at the right time during the user experience and presents
an offer in line with that users current actions. It speaks to their immediate need and feels like it
was designed just for them.
Key Takeaways:

Identify your offer and the conversion step(s) leading up to it

Align your offer with the right audience segment and personalize it for their current
actions, needs, and wants
Integrate your in-app message into the funnel for a seamless experience

5. Write Compelling Content

Unlike push notifications, which are limited in terms of copy and emojis, in-app messaging has
room for longer content and richer creatives. Still, successful in-app messages are able to convey
value in as few characters as necessary (nobody wants to read dense paragraphs on a small
mobile screen!).
To get users to engage with the message and not simply exit out of it, your content should be
concise and persuasive. The headline should be clear and bold to capture attention, and the
explanatory text should summarize the benefits of the offer and tell users how to redeem it. In
short, the copy should answer the What? Why? And how?what is the offer, why is it
worthwhile, and how do I take advantage of it?
Key Takeaways:

Write a compelling headline that summarizes the offer

Stick to concise copy that makes the value-add clear

Use actionable language that creates urgency

6. Add a Strong Call-to-Action

Just like in the online world, your in-app message also needs a prominent call-to-action (CTA) to
point the user to the next step or action they should take. CTAs are essential to converting people
into loyal app users.
Usually, CTAs that appear in in-app messages look like buttons; they are large, distinctly
colored, and look clickable. Because you typically have a short period of time to engage the
user, successful in-app CTAs stand out and prompt immediate action using quick verbs.
Key Takeaways:

Make your CTA highly visual and easily-identifiable for the user

When using a button CTA, make it large enough to click

Test out different verbs, phrases, colors, styles, etc. to see which CTA drives the highest
click-through rate

Pro Tip: Two CTAs can be better than one

There is no cardinal rule that says in-app messages can only contain one CTA. Secondary CTAs
can provide an extra conversion opportunity for users who arent interested in what the primary
CTA offers (as long as you add them in a clutter-free way).
Take a look at Hopsters in-app message below, which gives users a whopping four ways to
convert.

7. Incorporate Visual Branding

People respond better to beautiful visuals versus text-heavy in-app messages. So, add graphics,
images, and other illustrative branding to your in-app creative. You want to catch your users

eye, reinforce brand identity, and compel them to convert. You do not want to make your inapp message look like an intrusive mobile ad that feels out of place.
In-app messages usually happen in webviews, which have access to HTML and Javascript. This
makes it possible for them to be interactive and engaging with videos, navigation, and other
well-designed tie-ins back to the app.
Remember, the accompanying visuals in an in-app message should complement the copy in a
way that reinforces the main point, increases brand credibility, and improves the click-through
rate.
Key Takeaways:

Maintain brand identity with typeface and brand colors

Experiment with icons, photographs, borders, and other visual elements

Do not make your in-app message look like a spammy ad that looks and feels unrelated to
your app

Pro Tip: Use different fonts and font sizes to make the main point big and bold
Were living in an attention-deficit era. Marketers have a few meager seconds to make a
statement before your customers mind wanders off. When it comes to mobile, its even harder to
make messages stick so you need to communicate quickly. Thats why you should use different
fonts and/or font sizes to make the most important part of your in-app message stand out.
When people look at your in-app message, what is the first thing you want them to notice? Make
this big. And if they only stared at your creative for three seconds before hitting the x to close,
what would they remember? Make these words different from the rest.
For example, Free People uses varying colors, typefaces, and font sizes to make their offer pop
right away.
Key Takeaways:

Maintain brand identity with typeface and brand colors

Experiment with icons, photographs, borders, and other visual elements

Do not make your in-app message look like a spammy ad that looks and feels unrelated to
your app

Pro Tip: Use different fonts and font sizes to make the main point big and bold

Were living in an attention-deficit era. Marketers have a few meager seconds to make a
statement before your customers mind wanders off. When it comes to mobile, its even harder to
make messages stick so you need to communicate quickly. Thats why you should use different
fonts and/or font sizes to make the most important part of your in-app message stand out.
When people look at your in-app message, what is the first thing you want them to notice? Make
this big. And if they only stared at your creative for three seconds before hitting the x to close,
what would they remember? Make these words different from the rest.
For example, Free People uses varying colors, typefaces, and font sizes and to make their offer
pop right away.

8. Use Marketing Automation

Marketing automation capabilities (i.e. event-triggered) for mobile are advancing rapidly, so
dont let manual roadblocks slow you down!
With your target audiences in place, use automation to auto-enroll new users into existing
campaigns as they meet certain criteria. This way, new users that fulfill these conditions
willautomatically receive the in-app campaign as soon as they qualify for it ensuring you never
miss an opportunity to convert more people.
You should also chain messages together in a series so its not a one and done. When users
re-engage with, or re-qualify, for an in-app campaign, they receive additional messages giving
you insight into how linked offers impact behavior.
Key Takeaways:

Implement marketing automation to auto-enroll newly qualified users into existing

campaigns
Chain in-app messages together to continually nurture users

9. Dont Forget A/B Testing

A/B testing your mobile app used to be a complicated process involving engineering time and
app store re-submissions. Now, you can A/B (and even C/D/E!) test your in-app marketing as
easily as you do landing pages or emails.

By using A/B testing with the addition of a control group (i.e. an unaffected, neutral segment
of your users), you can get bulletproof insight into how different versions of an in-app
message boosts engagement compared to a baseline measure. In essence, you can see the true
impact of your in-app messaging campaigns.
Here are some of the things you can test:

Different types of offers

CTA colors and text

Headline copy

Phrase lengths

Adding time sensitivity (for example, does this week only resonate better than code
expires in two days?)

Background or supporting visuals

The number of CTAs

The timing or trigger event, and the frequency (when and how many in-app messages a
user receives)

Key Takeaways:

Use A/B or multivariate testing to gain additional insight dont be afraid to experiment!

Test different content, creatives, offers, timing, and frequency to uncover the most
effective combinations

Compare the results of each test against a control group to determine which in-app
messaging campaigns are worth running

10. Measure and Repeat

A marketing campaign is no good if you cant reliably measure it. Send your in-app messages out
through a closed-loop platform that dynamically connects marketing to analytics data. It doesnt

benefit you to have your app analytics separate from your app marketing because youll loose the
power to act on your data with 100% confidence.
And whats the point of having data that you cant act on? Smart app marketing is based on
deep analytics that help you assess the health of your app based on initial campaign
performance metrics(like impressions, click-through rates, conversion rates, etc.) as well as
long-term metrics (like customer lifetime value).
Which in-app message earned the most clicks? Which creative resulted in the highest lift in
engagement? Which in-app campaign moved the needle on retention? These are the types of
things app marketers should measure, and then based on the answer, repeat, refine, and move
forward.
Key Takeaways:

Always measure your in-app marketing campaigns

Track important initial metrics, but also look at long-term effects of campaigns on user
behavior, engagement, and value

Use an integrated app analytics and marketing platform to measure app ROI over time
and improve your messages

10 Big-Win In-App
Messaging Campaigns
to Try Today
Sold on in-app messaging, but not sure where to start or which campaigns to run? Dont worry
now that weve brought you the race, well make sure you start off with a bang.
In this section, well review some awesome examples of the top 10 in-app marketing campaigns,
and show you how to set them up for strong results. Just as great leaders inspire greatness in
others, this showcase is designed to help you kick-start your own high-performing in-app
initiatives.

1. The Opt-In (To get more subscribers to

push notifications)
Convincing users to opt into your push notifications is of paramount importance, but this is a big
ask and should be handled with tact. After all, youre asking for permission to ping a user and
send messages to their smartphones home screen on one of their most personal tech devices!
Although Android users are automatically opted into push notifications, many iOS apps need
to earn that right and often only get one shot at serving up the native iOS push opt-in request.
Thats where in-app messages can help.
All app marketers should consider launching a pre-permission in-app message that outlines
the value of your push notifications (i.e. why is it worth opting in?) and tests a users
interest level in subscribing. This is the perfect safety net: If users say yes, you can go ahead
and launch the iOS permission dialogue and have users opt-in for real. If users deny your
request, no harm done you simply dont trigger the official iOS permission dialogue (which
you can only launch once, so choose your timing carefully!). Instead, you can work on providing
value and attempt the opt-in request again at a later point.

Summary: Use a custom in-app message to increase the number of people who opt into your
push notifications.

Tips for Success:

Be specific about what types of push notifications your app will send and how they will
benefit the user

Be transparent about how often your app will send push notifications

Use friendly copy and visuals to soften the ask

Tie the value of your push notifications to your app (i.e. explain how push notifications
will provide a superior app experience and critical, time-sensitive information)

When to Run This Campaign: If people already have a strong connection to your brand, then
trigger this in-app message during their first app launch. Otherwise, trigger it after a user
completes a key in-app action or has had a few sessions with your app.
In fact, our research has found that the average push opt-in rate skyrockets from 35% to
70% if apps make this request during a users 4th-6th session versus their 1st-3rd sessions!

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE

News App - All users who have read at least three articles in the last week and have had more
than one app session. Trigger this in-app message as soon as these users finish reading their
fourth article.
Sample In-App Message Activate push messaging to get notified about the latest news
and most popular stories!
eCommerce App All users who have visited the Outerwear app screen in the last 24 hours,
but have not completed an in-app purchase. Trigger this in-app message the next time they visit
the Outerwear screen
Sample In-App Message Seeing items you love? Enable push messages and well tell you
when they go on sale!
Travel App All users who have searched for flights in the last three days and have spent more
than three minutes browsing hotels in your app.
Sample In-App Message Escape for even less. Opt-in to push notifications and youll be
the first to know when airfare to X drops and new hotel deals open up.
Real-life Example: Walmart vs. Snapguide

2. The New Feature Tutorial (To encourage

deeper app exploration)
Heres the truth about releasing new features: these updates or other version changes are easy to
overlook. Many users set their apps to auto-update and miss out on important releases. This can
cause in-app confusion or generally little use of new features out of the gate. Using an in-app

message to highlight big changes and how to use these new features draws attention to your
hard development work and gives users a better sense of how to go about enabling these
new features.
While the content of this in-app message is simple, the magic here is in targeting. Users who
have not interacted with a feature can be shown a video or a tutorial with a deep link to that
feature.
This type of in-app message is an excellent way to increase session time and make hot new
features more discoverable. And if your new feature was highly requested by users, this in-app
message shows people that you listened and care about their feedback.
Summary: Use in-app messaging to highlight cool new app features and teach people how to
make the most of them.

Tips for Success:

Succinctly explain the purpose of the new feature and why users will love it

Show people where they can access it and how they can use it

Use rich multimedia content in your in-app message (like a gif, pictures, video, or an
interactive step-by-step tutorial)
Deep link to the new feature and use a CTA that encourages people to try it out

When to Run This Campaign: When you launch a major feature or app upgrade and notice a
segment of users who have not tried it out.

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

Social Media App All users who have had an app session in the last week, have sent at least
one message to a friend, but have not used an emoji in their messages. Trigger this in-app
message the next time these users start typing a message.
Sample In-App Message Cant find the right words? Use an emoji instead! Starting today,
you can add over 100 new emoticons to your conversations. Ready, set, emoji!

eCommerce App All users who have purchased an item in the last month, but have not clicked
the one-touch checkout button on the checkout screen. Trigger this in-app message when these
users add another item to their cart.
Sample In-App Message Buy the things you love at lightening speed. Use our new OneTouch Checkout button for an easier and smoother checkout experience.
Finance App All users who have more than 20 account transactions per week, have missed at
least one payment in the last 30 days, and have not used the new budget feature. Trigger this inapp message when these users open your app again and visit the Monthly Statement screen.
Sample In-App Message Looks like you havent created a budget yet. Lets make one
together using our new Budget Pro feature. Learn to save, spend, and stay on top of your
payment deadlines.

Real-life Example: Instasize

3. The Easy Share (To grow your social

reach)
Not too long ago, websites were our go-to for the information we needed on a daily basis, which
is where brands embedded social sharing buttons. Now, were living in an era in which
businesses are agile and people are always on the go. As a result, we spend a lot of time reading
articles, listening to music, and watching videos on mobile gadgets.
So, whats an app marketer to do? You need to make it easy for people to share in-app content
via an in-app message.

There are two big advantages of embedding social sharing functionality into an in-app
message:
1) Youll get to carefully control its timing and ensure this reminder to share only pops up
when the user has a positive experience with your app.
2) You do not compromise precious screen space to permanent social media buttons.

Summary: Use an in-app message embedded with social CTAs to encourage users to invite their
friends to your app, share your in-app content, or brag about how close they are to achieving a
goal. This will expose your app to new audiences, grow your social reach, and inspire others to
keep interacting with your app.

Tips for Success:

Dont compromise precious app screen space to static social buttons

Place big social CTAs in an in-app message that deep link into the appropriate social
media app

Encourage your users to connect with you on social media via well-designed in-app
messages that showcase your social personality and style

Prompt people to share both your mobile content/products and their in-app achievements
Consider running contests to motivate people to share how theyre using your app on
social media (give them something worth talking about)

When to Run This Campaign: After users have spent some time in your app, or have
completed a significant in-app event, or have hit a new milestone.

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

Fitness App All users who have tracked a run with your app this week and have beaten their
previous best running time or distance.
Sample In-App Message Woohoo! You set a new run record! Brag about it to your friends
and challenge them to beat it. Share now and let the rivalry begin.
eCommerce App All users who have purchased more than three items in the last month.
Launch this in-app message the next time these users visit the Whats Hot Now screen.

Sample In-App Message Hey there trendsetter, share your shopping haul with friends and
show the world how effortlessly chic you can be. Share my style.
Media App All users who watch a full video in your app.
Sample In-App Message Did you enjoy the video? Now share it with friends and have
more to talk about!

Real-life Example: Uniqlo

4. The Personalized Recommendation (To

demonstrate value and build relationships)
Look at your users in-app habits. What types of content do they consume? What screens do they
spend the most time on? What features do they use most? Then, use this information to create
just for you in-app campaigns. In short, understand your users and make thoughtful,
educated recommendations on similar stuff that you think theyd like - be it a new song,
article, product, nearby event, etc.

Summary: Personalization is a great goal, but most people are not sure how to achieve it. Using
an in-app message to test recommendations on different customers is the right way to foray into
this space.

Tips for Success:

Base recommendations on data!

Experiment with different recommendations to see which ones work best

Consider adding some explanatory text in your in-app message (i.e. say Since you liked
X, we thought you might also like X)

Ask for feedback on whether or not the personalized recommendation resonated or could
be improved (you can do this via a CTA in the in-app message)

When to Run This Campaign: After you have collected data on users preferences, interests,
attributes, and in-app actions and want to increase engagement.

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

eCommerce App All users who have purchased an outerwear item in the last week, but have
not visited the Shoes app screen. Trigger this in-app message two weeks after the purchase (to
account for shipping time) and launch it when these users return to the app and visit any product
screen.
Sample In-App Message Loving your new jacket? Pair it with these cute boots and get the
full winter wonderland look. Browse boots.
Sports App All users who have selected the New England Patriots as their favorite team, but
have not read an article about football in the last 24 hours. Trigger this in-app message when
these users are on the Top Highlights screen.
Sample In-App Message The Patriots triumphed over the Seahawks in an epic game last
night. Read the highlights and see the top game-winning plays.
Music App All users who have listened to at least 10 songs from the pop genre and have
downloaded more than one Taylor Swift song. Trigger this in-app message the next time these
users play a Taylor Swift song in your app.
Sample In-App Message Look out music world! Taylor Swift is back with another jawdropping single. Listen now.

Real-life Example: Beats

5. The Quick Tip (To improve app use and

engagement)

Even if your app included a mini-orientation or a series of onboarding screens, its possible that
some users skipped through these or simply forgot the details.
In-app messages are perfect for surfacing quick tips about how to better use your app and
get more out of their experience. In-app messages work particularly well at providing helpful
instruction becausethey dont disrupt the UX by taking the user to a different screen just to give
them a suggestion they are low-friction.

Summary: Use an in-app message to give users tidbits of how-tos or share hidden or unused
app tips and tricks.

Tips for Success:

Keep these tips bite size (a good rule of thumb is one tip per in-app message)

Surface these as needed, when they are relevant to a users current in-app actions

Include helpful visuals to explain the tip and keep the text short and sweet (after all, this
is a quick tip)
Include simple CTAs (like Ok, Got it)

When to Run This Campaign: Trigger these in-app messages after users visit an app screen and
fail to use a feature that could help them use your app more efficiently.

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

Gaming App As soon as users fail to conquer level five.

Sample In-App Message Aw, shucks. Losing sucks. Next time, try earning a power up by
eating five mushrooms!

Finance App All users who start the tax filing process in-app and get to step four. You could
further refine this segment with profile attributes like job role, marital status, and employment
status.
Sample In-App Message Pro Tip: You can claim X as expenses and X as income to
maximize your refund. Learn more.
Health App All users who have previously documented their daily meals to estimate calorie
intake, but have not used the camera tool. Trigger this in-app message the next time these users
click on the Enter Meal Details button.
Sample In-App Message Snap a picture of your food and get all the nutrition information
you need in an instant. Try it now.

Real-life Example: Nike+

6. The Cross-Channel Contest (To connect

with your users outside the app)
Your app can also play a big role in engaging your customers across a multitude of channels. To
do this, create a cross-platform promotion or contest and launch it via an in-app message.
The basic premise here is this: if people are engaged enough with your brand to download
and use your app, they will likely also be willing to connect with you on other channels
too. An in-app message that encourages users to visit your website, follow you on social media,
or visit your brick-and-mortar location will deepen your relationship with customers, increase
loyalty, and give you more avenues for communication.
Plus, youll learn more about your users lives outside the app, which can better inform your app
marketing campaigns.

Summary: Use in-app messaging to cross-promote your other marketing channels.

Tips for Success:

Give users an incentive to connect with you on other channels

Show people what theyre missing out on by not visiting your website, following you on
social media, subscribing to your emails, etc.

Be specific about how users can find your brand in other places (for example, what is
your Twitter handle?)

When to Run This Campaign: When users have had a few sessions with your app indicating
they are well engaged on mobile and may be ready to connect with you elsewhere too.

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

Sports App All users who have at least one app session per week, have visited the Scores
app screen more than five times, and have read one article in-app. You could further refine this
segment by favorite team, favorite sport, gender, and country. Trigger this in-app message the
next time they visit the Scores screen.
Sample In-App Message The game may be over, but theres still some action happening
on social media. Fans are getting heated! Contribute your voice and tell us what YOU
thought using the X hashtag.
eCommerce App All users who have browsed more than 10 products in your app and favorited
at least three things. Trigger this in-app message after these users favorite another item.
Sample In-App Message Pin & win! Pin your favorite winter outfit from our 2015
collection and follow us on Pinterest to win a $500 shopping spree. Click here to enter.
Real-Estate App All users who have conducted a search for property listings in the last seven
days. You could further refine this segment by neighborhood, budget, location, etc. Trigger this
in-app message the next time these users visit the Search screen.
Sample In-App Message New Cambridge condos are popping up on the market every day.
Get all the property details (including exclusive open house information!) by joining our
email list. Sign up now and become a phenom of fresh listings.

Real-life Example: Uber

7. The Big Reveal (To reward app users

with an exclusive sneak peak)
Launching something spectacularly cool and want to capture user attention? Use an in-app
message. For things beyond feature updates or upgrade details, in-app notifications - with
their advanced design options - are the perfect tool for making a splashy announcement.

Summary: Give your app users a sneak peak of big changes your brand is making with a flashy
in-app alert.

Tips for Success:

A big announcement deserves a bold design

Include the main details of your announcement in the in-app message, but also consider
adding a Learn More CTA for more information

When to Run This Campaign: Let your users know as soon as your announcement is public or
about to be public.

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

This campaign could be one of those rare instances in which its acceptable to target all app
users.

Sample In-App Message for a Media App Were partnering with Disney! Now, all your
favorite childhood classics are available in the Fairytales section. Heres to your happily ever
after.

Sample In-App Message for a Finance App You asked. We listened. Introducing zero
transaction fees for all trades below $1000. Buy, sell, and grow your wealth worry-free.

Real Life Example: Western Union

8. The Big Deal (To spur conversions and

grow app revenue)
Everybody loves a good bargain, a special discount, or an exclusive promo code. So, surface
these offers to your users via an in-app message to increase conversions and prevent people from
falling out of a key app funnel.
If a user is on the cusp of completing a major in-app action (like buying an item, or subscribing),
these in-app messages can nudge him or her over the finish line. The goal is to tackle mobile
cold feet by sweetening the deal even further.
Summary: Use an in-app message to make an attractive offer to a user that will spur them to
make an in-app purchase.

Tips for Success:

Make sure your offer is actually enticing and targeted (i.e. a group of women will
probably not find a 30% off coupon code for briefcases particularly appealing)

Create urgency by adding a time-constraint on the offer (i.e. only if you checkout within
the next five minutes)

Tie your offer to the ultimate in-app action you want users to complete

Use a large font size to make the big deal the focal point of your message

When to Run This Campaign: When users are close to completing an in-app conversion, but
navigate away to a different screen before finishing the process. Or, trigger this in-app message
when users near content limits (i.e. as they get close to hitting a paywall).

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

News App All users who have at least one session with your app per week, have read more
than five in-app articles, and have selected topics of interest. Trigger this in-app message when
these users select another article to read.
Sample In-App Message Yikes! Your free trial is about to expire! Click here to subscribe
and keep access.
Music App All users who open your app more than three times during the last week, listen to
at least five songs, and visit the Playlists screen in your app.
Sample In-App Message Oops! Youre out of skips. Upgrade now and well give you 20%
off. Click here to keep control of the beats.
eCommerce App All users who added an item to their cart, but navigated away to a different
part of your app before checking out.
Sample In-App Message Still interested in X? Check out now and get 20% off with promo
code FLASHSALE. Come on, treat yourself!

Real-life Example: Mens Fitness Magazine

9. The Transactional Summary (To make

your users lives easier and increase app
retention)

On the flip side of promotional in-app messages, transactional in-app messages are all about
beingintrinsically valuable. That is, these in-app messages increase your apps efficiency and
improve your users lives by providing highly personalized and relevant information in real-time.
Two common use cases for this type of campaign include summarizing the details of a
transaction (Click to confirm), clarifying an error (X went wrong), or preemptively avoiding
a user mistake (Are you sure you want to do that?).
Transactional in-app messages are not designed to overtly market your app they are
designed to make things flow smoother, which in turn increases your apps reliability and
retention.

Summary: Instead of navigating people to a different screen, use an in-app message to give
people peace of mind that their transaction went through and shed light on any issues.

Tips for Success:

No need to use fancy language here clarity is key (keep it to the point)

Think about the big things users do in your app and ask yourself, Would users appreciate
a summary after completing this step and/or would they appreciate a warning?

Convey a sense of security that the transaction went through and if relevant, highlight
how the user can keep tabs on it

When to Run This Campaign: Before or after a user completes a major in-app action.

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

Finance App All users who have integrated their stock portfolio into the app, have selected a
few stocks to watch, and have made at least one trade in your app within the last seven days.
Trigger this anytime these users want to make another trade. You could further refine this
segment by adding a profile attribute, like portfolio value range, income bracket, and last trade
date.
Sample In-App Message Here are the details of your pending trade. Click to confirm.

eCommerce App All users who complete an in-app purchase. You could further slice and dice
this by gender, last item purchased, home address, etc.
Sample In-App Message X is on its way to you! ABCD123 is your order number and you
can track your shipment with code FASTSHIP456.
Fitness App All users who have previously tracked a run in-app, have completed a running
goal, and click the Fresh Start button.
Sample In-App Message This will erase your previous running times and distances. Are
you sure you want to start your marathon training all over again?

Real-life Example: Allrecipes

10. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) Survey

(To elicit feedback and improve your app
store rank)
The NPS survey is a universal use case for in-app messaging. This is a customer relationship
survey that seeks to understand how satisfied your customers are with your business.
An in-app NPS kicks off when you simply ask your users how they like your app. If they say
they do indeed enjoy your app, you should encourage these promoters to rate your app in
the app store and recommend it to their friends (thus boosting your App Store rank). If users say
theyre dissatisfied with your app experience, you can politely ask these detractors for
specific feedback so you can improve.
And because youre executing these surveys inside your app, you already have the users
attention, and are likely to receive valuable responses.

Summary: An in-app NPS empowers brands to identify happy users and learn from unhappy
ones. NPS surveys carried out via in-app messages can get you quick feedback and allow you to
react in real-time by providing users with an outlet for further expression based on their score.

Tips for Success:

Format your NPS questions so they are super easy and quick to answer (for example, you
can include a rating slider, a thumbs up or thumbs down, etc.)

If users rate your app favorably, thank them and graciously request an app store review
and deep link to it

If users rate your app unfavorably, let them how that their feedback is immensely
important in refining your app and direct them to a comments form/section

When to Run This Campaign: Do not launch this campaign during a users first session with
your app! Instead, wait until they have a positive experience with your app (like successfully
completing a purchase or reading a full article).

WHAT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE COULD LOOK LIKE:

Music App All users who listen to at least six songs in a row.
Sample In-App Message How do you like our tunes? Hit the yay or nay button and help
us improve our selection of hits.
Travel App All users who book new flights or a hotel in-app and have previously booked
flights or a hotel in the last six months.
Sample In-App Message How was your travel planning experience? Give us a smile and
tell us youre excited for your trip! Or, choose the grumpy face and well do our best to make
it right.
Finance App All users who complete at least 20 in-app transactions per week and have more
than three app sessions per month. Trigger this in-app message after these users complete their
25th in-app transaction in a week.
Sample In-App Message On a scale of 1-10, how do you like our app for money
management?

Real-life Example: Buzzfeed

In-App Messaging is an
Irreplaceable Part of
Your Mobile Strategy
As apps become more robust and complicated, in-app messages will play an even larger role in
guiding users toward meaningful interactions. Without in-app messaging, you have no way to
communicate or engage with active app users and in turn, no way to influence your apps ROI.
Dont forgo your chance to drive 2-3.5x higher user retention and 27% more app launches. Dont
underutilize or underestimate the power of in-app messaging.
Be part of the forward-thinking band of apps that are creating real value by employing in-app
messages to make their users more successful.

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