Users don't complete the key activation action
Keep the most important action visible until they do it. Don't let them forget what matters.
When to use
You have one critical action that predicts retention but users often skip it.
Hypothesis template
If we persistently prompt users to [key action] until they complete it, activation will increase because they can't miss the most important step.
Method
The problem: Your onboarding mentions users should upload their CV, or
complete their profile, or connect their data. They close the tooltip. They
forget. They never activate.
What The Room did: Added a persistent, visible prompt encouraging CV uploads.
Not a one-time tooltip, a permanent UI element until the action was complete.
Result: 75% increase in CV uploads in just 10 days.
Why persistence works:
- Users get distracted
- One-time prompts are easy to dismiss
- Some users need multiple reminders
- Visibility keeps the action top-of-mind
- Creates a "complete this" loop
How to make it not annoying:
- Make it dismissable (but it comes back)
- Show progress, not just nagging
- Explain why the action matters
- Celebrate when complete
- Don't block other functionality
Types of persistent prompts:
- Banner at top of screen
- Checklist in sidebar
- Progress bar that won't fill without it
- Gentle email reminders too
How to do it:
- Identify your #1 activation action
- Add persistent (but dismissable) UI element
- Track: interaction with prompt, completion rate, time to complete
- Remove prompt immediately on completion (reward!)
- Celebrate the completion
Success metrics
- •Key action completion rate
- •Time to completion
- •Prompt dismissal rate
- •Activation rate before/after
Prerequisites
- Clear #1 activation action
- UI flexibility to add persistent element
- Tracking on action completion
Common pitfalls
- •Blocking the UI completely
- •Can't dismiss at all
- •Prompting for unimportant actions
- •No celebration on completion
Source: The Room case study, 75% increase. Read more
Suggested ICE scores
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