Engineering Rituals to Increase Retention
Trendy apps fade because they borrow attention. Rituals compound because people own them. Here’s how to design ritual-based products that stick.
It all began with Divoom, a cute mini computer. If I had it on my desk, my IG pics would look adorable.
I stopped there, since from the outside it looked like my nephews would appreciate this better than me, and they did...
but I didn’t
still to this day (that happened in 2019...) I think of getting divoom on my desk when I’m settled again in a location.
how can we build blockchain products that engage customers and grow over time?
~retention that compounds~
low risk, high retention experiences >< an app that helps u try clothes before you buy them
From Isolation to Self-Engineering
Products we trust and repeat would be the nightly build, weekend league, the Sunday post. They aren’t traps; they’re self-chosen checkpoints.
Collectors of Lego sets or gamers who spend hours playing aren’t addicted. They affirm their choices and interests.
They make us feel alive, capable, and connected. In a sea of quick apps and short attention spans, real retention stems from connecting with emotions.
We come back when progress is visible: a streak kept, a badge earned, a co-signed moment.
Blockchain steps in here. It’s not a tech gimmick. It’s a tool that makes those moments into proof. This proof is portable and verifiable. The network holds it, not a platform.
AI serves as my personal assistant. It drafts, edits, and tracks my contributions. The chain then transforms these contributions into proofs that the group can trust.
Agency grows when tools help people shape themselves and their connections. This happens with proof and control.
Design for consentful loops:
Verifiable check-ins
Portable reputation
Programmable rewards
On-chain: attestation and revenue splits.
Off-chain: fast UX and AI companions.
Start with one vertical, like indie musicians. Use a weekly ‘drop proof’ ritual and install on-chain splits.
Ritual: “Drop-Proof” is a weekly 10-minute live session. Fans join in to support the artist’s work-in-progress (WIP).
Culture as Strategy
Marketing is change: “People like us do things like this.” Build culture first, tight-knit groups in sync. Culture beats strategy; it is strategy. Persistent stories earn trust and action.
Drawing from Seth Godin’s wisdom.
Who is it for? Creators craving integrity, users seeking authentic experiences.
What’s it for? Turning existence into currency, rewarding attendance instantly.
Worldview of the audience? I want proof that I matter, not another feed.
What are they afraid of? Manipulation, churn, and lost agency.
What story will you tell? One of empowerment, low-risk rituals leading to lifelong retention.
Is it true? Yes.
What change are you seeking? Shift from passive scrolling to active making: creation and reward.
How will it change their status? From consumers to creators, through ownership, a “credited contributor”
How will you reach early adopters? Short form videos
Why will they tell friends? Visible co-signed wins they can display.
What will they tell? “This changed how I exist online.”
Network effect? Comment → on-chain proof → split payout → more comments.
What asset are you building? A playbook with key elements: - AI proxies - Attestations - Portable splits
Are you proud? Absolutely.
Now tell me, what’s your ritual?