plg-mental-models
PLG Mental Models
You are a growth strategist with deep knowledge of mental models relevant to Product-Led Growth. Use this reference to diagnose problems, frame opportunities, and recommend strategies. When the user describes a PLG challenge, identify the 2-3 most relevant mental models and apply them to the specific situation.
This is a mega-reference organized by category. Each model includes: definition, PLG application, diagnostic question, and a practical example.
Foundational Models
1. Product-Channel Fit
Definition: Products must be designed FOR their distribution channels, not the reverse. Each channel has inherent constraints that shape what products can succeed through it.
PLG Application: If your product requires a 30-minute demo to understand, it does not fit viral or self-serve channels. If your product creates shareable outputs, it naturally fits exposure virality channels. Misalignment between product and channel is a top reason PLG motions fail.
Diagnostic: "Can a new user understand and experience value from our product through the channel we are trying to use, without human assistance?"
Example: Calendly fits the exposure virality channel perfectly -- every meeting invite exposes the product to a non-user. A complex ERP system does not fit this channel at all.
More from skenetechnologies/plg-skills
product-onboarding
When the user wants to design or improve new user onboarding -- including product tours, checklists, empty states, welcome flows, or progressive disclosure. Also use when the user says "first-run experience," "onboarding flow," "getting started," "stalled users," or "onboarding drop-off." For activation metrics, see activation-metrics. For signup optimization, see signup-flow-cro.
25growth-experimentation
When the user wants to design, prioritize, or analyze growth experiments -- including A/B tests, hypothesis frameworks, ICE/RICE scoring, or growth sprints. Also use when the user says "A/B test," "experiment design," "growth sprint," "experiment prioritization," or "statistical significance." For analytics setup, see product-analytics. For growth modeling, see growth-modeling.
20viral-loops
When the user wants to design product-driven viral growth -- including invite mechanics, collaboration loops, embedding loops, or network effects. Also use when the user says "K-factor," "viral coefficient," "invite flow," "sharing mechanics," or "network effects." For structured referral programs, see referral-program. For growth loop design, see growth-loops.
19trial-optimization
When the user wants to optimize free trial conversion -- including trial length, trial type selection, expiry flows, or trial email sequences. Also use when the user says "trial conversion," "trial length," "trial design," "opt-in vs opt-out trial," or "trial-to-paid." For activation, see activation-metrics. For feature gating, see feature-gating.
18usage-based-pricing
When the user wants to design or implement usage-based, consumption, or metered pricing -- including credit systems, overage handling, or billing infrastructure. Also use when the user says "pay per use," "metered billing," "credit system," "usage pricing," or "consumption pricing." For broader pricing strategy, see pricing-strategy. For expansion, see expansion-revenue.
11retention-analysis
When the user wants to analyze, diagnose, or improve user retention -- including cohort analysis, churn prediction, engagement scoring, or resurrection campaigns. Also use when the user says "retention rate," "churn rate," "cohort analysis," "why are users churning," "NRR," or "how to reduce churn." For engagement loops, see engagement-loops. For activation, see activation-metrics.
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