Locked App: $14K/Month via Influencer Marketing Playbook

Source: (unknown)

Summary

Evan built a gamified fitness app called Locked in 1.5 months using Figma, Xcode, and Claude Code, then scaled it to $14,000/monththroughinfluencerpartnerships.HiscorestrategywasnegotiatingCPMdealsbelowhisap{p}^{\prime }sRPM($2-3), targeting creators whose content naturally aligned with the app’s ‘stay locked in’ theme. The key insight is that influencer trust drives stronger conversion than traditional ads, making audience quality (engagement, comment quality) more important than raw follower count. He requires influencers to show the app within the first 15 seconds of content.

Key Points

• Built Locked (gamified habit/focus app) in 1.5 months using Figma + Xcode + Claude Code
• Paywall: $40/year(3-daytrial)or$7/week; abandoned cart offer at $20/year
• Growth channel: influencer partnerships only — no paid ads, no existing audience
• CPM negotiation framework: close creators at CPM < app RPM ($2-3),target$1-1.50 range
• Creator selection criteria: engagement quality (comment quality), content-app alignment, seamless integration
• Require app to appear within first 15 seconds of sponsored content
• Previous apps: Problem Pal ($2K/month, sold) and Clear AI (failed) — Locked is his third attempt

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