Subscription Tools to Help New Authors Monetize
Case Study: Prose
Prose, a digital publishing platform for aspiring authors, partnered with Melt Studio to strengthen their product and add monetization tools. Together, we transformed Prose’s MVP—fixing bugs, refining the user experience, and introducing a powerful subscription engine. In just three months, the platform was relaunched with new features that boosted author engagement and revenue potential.
THE CHALLENGE
Build Subscription Features on Top of a Buggy MVP
Prose needed to evolve from a basic MVP into a functional, scalable platform with monetization tools. Key challenges included poor UX, platform bugs (email notifications, post publishing, etc.), and lack of mobile optimization. Subscription features like paywalled content and Stripe payments had to be built from scratch—while improving reliability and preparing the platform for growth.
INITIAL STATE
OUR SOLUTION
From Platform Fixes to Full Subscription Infrastructure
Requirements
Simplification
We reviewed and clarified user stories for better alignment. Our team worked to simplify the tech roadmap, reduce bugs, and lay the foundation for subscription logic—ensuring each feature fit Prose’s business model and user needs.
Application
Building
We implemented Stripe integration, subscription paywalls, author tools for gated content, and gamification features. All features were built with a JavaScript-first stack using React and Node.js, maintaining scalability and user clarity.
Prototype
Release
Over three months, we conducted six demos and rolled out iterative updates. The new version launched with major UX improvements, author monetization tools, and bug fixes—resulting in a 16% revenue lift within two months.
DELIVER STATE
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
More Monetization, Better User Experience
Authors now access intuitive tools for managing paid content and tracking subscribers. Mobile responsiveness and email flows were fixed, and new analytics help authors monitor growth. The Prose team continues evolving the platform using our foundation.
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Avani Kanubaddi
Brandtuit
February 5, 2026
Hi Team - After weeks of effort, we have officially launched the www.brandtuit.com website! I want to give a special shout-out to Paola Lozano Vanegas for her tireless efforts in building a beautiful website that conveys our values so well. Thanks also to Sebastian Ocampo for helping navigate the plumbing and getting the site posted tonight. I have also posted to LinkedIn with an official "We are open for business" message, so let's go fishing!
We have a great concept, a real market need, and an evolving tool in Zena that can deliver value. Thanks to everyone on the team for getting us to this point. I'm very excited, very grateful, and looking forward to building from here.
February 5, 2026
Chenny
ShopHero Dashboard
March 2, 2026
Thank you for the note. I will think on this and let you know. So far, I feel like the team has onboarded well. I expected some time to be taken with onboarding, but was happy with how fast we have been able to get to development.
March 2, 2026
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY
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