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.

Projc

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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Mateo Alexander

Suyo

Most of my favorite service experiences occur when the company foresees my needs and questions before I ask. For example, digital trackers that inform me on the progress of my service (eg Dominos, Amazon, etc). Other service experiences I especially enjoy occur when a company integrates its solution with another solution I already use to create synergies or efficiencies (eg Uber + Expensify), and when a company provides painless returns/discounts when I'm not satisfied with the product's qualities (eg REI).

October 9, 2020

Emily O'Grady

Happyly

Erika and her team have literally brought what is in my head to life - it has been incredible to work together - plus she is SO patient and such a hard worker.

January 7, 2021