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Case Breakdowns

HowTonalycutCPA47%inonequarter

A breakdown of the angles, hooks, and structural changes that moved the needle on a music learning app.

Rhys·April 10, 2026·8 min read

Tonaly came to us spending well but plateauing. Here's exactly what we changed in 90 days.

What we found in the audit

The ad library was leaning on product demos. Strong for warm audiences, weak for prospecting. The hook bank had drifted into feature-speak.

The changes we shipped

New angle: identity, not utility. Hooks built around 'the musician you wanted to be' rather than 'learn chords faster'. Real player testimonials. AI variations to multiply the winners.

What happened

CPA down 47%. Spend up 3.2x. ROAS held. Retention from new cohorts up week over week.

R

Rhys

Founder of The Social Outline. 8 years running performance creative for mobile apps.

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