At Feed.fm, we know the magic that music brings to any experience. It’s not just background noise—it’s a catalyst for connection, engagement, and loyalty. For apps navigating the freemium or trial-based model, premium music access can be the perfect hook to convert casual users into paying subscribers. By making premium major-label music a Pro-only feature, apps can create a compelling value proposition while ensuring that music takes center stage in every upsell opportunity.
Let’s dive into how this model works and why it’s so effective for apps looking to grow their subscriber base.
The pro music model: creating exclusivity and desire
Imagine an app where premium music is a star feature of the paid tier. Free users enjoy basic functionality and perhaps some curated non-major-label tracks, but they don’t get access to the latest hits or genre-specific playlists from today’s biggest artists. Instead, this exclusive content is part of the Pro subscription, a clear differentiator that elevates the experience for paying users.
Pro features include:
- Major-label music: Unlock curated soundtracks featuring top-charting artists and the most in-demand tracks.
- Personalized music experiences: AI-driven playlists tailored to individual preferences, workout intensity, or focus needs.
- Offline playback: Seamless listening without data limits.
This setup ensures that music becomes more than a perk—it’s a gateway to a richer, more rewarding app experience.
How to highlight premium music during onboarding
The journey to subscription starts the moment a user opens your app. During onboarding, showcase music as a standout Pro feature alongside other benefits like personalized content or offline access. For instance:
- Interactive music demos: Demonstrate examples of premium tracks during onboarding, paired with an invitation to “Go Pro and unlock the full music experience."
- Dynamic feature previews: Include visuals of Pro music features with a subtle lock icon, creating intrigue and a sense of exclusivity.
- Music survey questions: Nearly all users (93%) are willing to provide their genre preferences in exchange for a more tailored music experience. Polling for favorite music genres during the onboarding process is a great way to get to know your customers' listening preferences.
The goal is to plant the seed early: premium music equals premium value.
Keeping Pro features top of mind in the freemium experience
Even after onboarding, there are numerous ways to remind users of what they’re missing in the freemium version and nudge them toward upgrading:
- Music icon overlays: Add a clickable icon or song credit overlay on the playback screen for free users. When tapped, it can reveal the current song and highlight additional Pro music features including likes, skips, or expanded music selections.
- Upsell callouts: Use in-app banners or pop-ups to showcase premium music as part of any subscription offer. For example, “Level up your audio experience—go Pro and unlock today’s hottest tracks!”
- Email and social campaigns: Create FOMO with targeted messaging. Highlight trending music, exclusive mixes, and testimonials from users loving their Pro upgrade.
Why this approach works
- Emotional connection: Music isn’t just functional—it evokes emotions and memories. Offering premium music as an upgrade taps into users’ desire to access more of what they love.
- Exclusivity drives conversions: Locking premium features behind a paywall makes them feel more valuable. Users are more likely to pay when they see that Pro offers access to high-quality, branded content they can’t get elsewhere.
- Recurring reminders: By consistently integrating music into touchpoints (overlays, emails, social ads), you ensure users never forget about this key Pro benefit.
Amplifying app success with Feed.fm
This music-forward model doesn’t just delight users—it’s also simple to implement with Feed.fm’s white-label music solutions. From licensing major-label music to real-time analytics that show which mixes drive the most conversions, we make it easy to elevate your app with premium music experiences.
Case in point: One wellness app offers Pro only music options featuring chart topping artists. For this Feed.fm customer, providing Premium (vs. production) music to Pro users/subscribers–along with a nutrition plan & offline downloads–is a motivating factor that drives increased ROI.
Premium music access is more than a feature—it’s a powerful incentive that resonates with users on an emotional level. By highlighting major-label music as a Pro-exclusive benefit, apps can create a clear upgrade path that drives revenue and enhances user satisfaction.
Want to see how Feed.fm can help you integrate music that converts? Let’s talk! 🎶
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