Trial Experience
The Trial Experience allows anonymous users to try MyStoryFlow’s AI conversation or voice recording features before signing up. This “try before you buy” approach demonstrates value upfront and converts engaged users into paying customers.
User Journey
Key Decisions
| Decision | Choice | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | app.mystoryflow.com | All tools exist on app domain, simpler auth flow |
| Data Storage | Anonymous DB records | Persists server-side, survives browser clear |
| Auth Approach | Supabase Anonymous Auth | Real user_id, seamless linkIdentity() upgrade |
| Trial Scope | Both AI + Voice | Full value demonstration |
| Time Limit | 30 minutes | Long enough for meaningful content |
| Entry UX | Choice first (AI vs Voice) | Clear decision point, focused experience |
| Conversion Triggers | Save action + time warnings (15m, 5m, 1m) | Balance between value and urgency |
| Content Validation | AI validation before signup | Ensure quality content for story conversion |
| Quality Guidance | 10+ min recording OR quality AI conversation | Guide users to create enough content |
| Post-Payment Flow | Show generated story in editor | Reward moment after investment |
Feature Scope
What’s Included in Trial
- AI Conversation Mode: Full access to chat with Elena, our AI storytelling guide
- Voice Recording Mode: Full recording capability with transcription preview
- 30-Minute Session: Enough time to create meaningful content
- Auto-Save: All content saves automatically to the server
- Quality Feedback: Real-time indicator showing progress toward “story-ready” content
What Requires Signup
- Story Generation: Converting trial content into a formatted story
- Book Creation: Organizing stories into chapters
- Family Sharing: Inviting family members to collaborate
- Permanent Storage: Long-term storage and access
Conversion Flow
1. Trial Phase
User creates content without any account. They see:
- Countdown timer (30 min)
- Quality indicator (recording length / conversation depth)
- “Save & Create Account” button
2. Validation Gate
When user clicks “I’m Done”, AI validates the content:
- Pass: Content is sufficient for a great story
- Fail: Suggestions to improve (e.g., “Add more details about…“)
3. Account Creation
User signs up via email or OAuth. At this point:
- Trial session links to new user
- Async story generation begins in background
4. Onboarding
User goes through book creation wizard with:
- “Your story is being created…” progress indicator
- Slightly streamlined flow (user already invested)
- Book creation includes first story automatically
5. Payment
After completing onboarding, user sees paywall. Trial content creates urgency: “Your story is ready - subscribe to access it!“
6. Story Reveal
After payment, user redirects to the story editor with their generated story ready to view and edit.
Time Warnings
| Time Remaining | Visual Indicator |
|---|---|
| 15 minutes | Subtle pulse on timer |
| 5 minutes | Amber background on timer bar |
| 1 minute | Red background + urgent pulse |
| Expired | Modal: “Time’s up! Save your progress” |
Quality Indicators
For Voice Recording
- Progress bar showing recording duration
- Guidance: “10+ minutes creates a great story”
- Visual milestones at 5 min, 10 min, 15 min
For AI Conversation
- Message count indicator
- Depth indicator (meaningful exchanges vs short answers)
- Guidance: “Share details and memories for a richer story”
Next Steps
- Technical Architecture - Database schema, API routes, auth flow
- AI Integration - Content validation, story generation, logging
- Implementation Guide - Step-by-step development guide
- Testing Scenarios - Test cases and edge cases