Everyday Chengyu

"A language learning app and website that teaches common Chinese idioms (chengyu) through free web content and a kid-friendly iOS app with flashcards and spaced repetition."

no rev. info provided

everydaychengyu.com

Maker: andyfchen

no rev. info provided

Marketing Channels

Primary

App Store

Kid-friendly app available on the App Store, relying on organic discovery

Ongoing

Website (SEO)

Free content on everydaychengyu.com serves as both a learning resource and lead generation for the paid app

Secondary

Hacker News

Shared in HN thread for visibility among tech-savvy language learners

Growth Levers

Create SEO-optimized content for individual chengyu to capture long-tail search traffic
Target parents of Chinese heritage language learners as a key demographic
Partner with Chinese language schools and tutors for distribution
Add gamification elements to increase engagement and retention in the app
Expand content to cover HSK exam preparation materials alongside chengyu
Build a social sharing feature for learners to share progress

First Customer Strategy

Built a free website with Chinese idiom content to attract organic search traffic from language learners, then offered a paid kid-friendly app with flashcards and spaced repetition as the premium product on the App Store.

Pricing Insight

Freemium model: free web content drives awareness, paid app on App Store provides the premium experience with flashcards and spaced repetition.

Key Takeaways

• Free web content as a top-of-funnel strategy can drive users to a paid app product
• Niche language learning apps can find sustainable audiences by targeting specific skill areas (idioms)
• Kid-friendly design opens up the parent buyer segment, which has higher willingness to pay for educational apps
• Spaced repetition is a proven, science-backed learning method that adds credibility to educational products