# Activation checklist replacing tooltip tours (Senja method)

> Replace passive tooltip-based onboarding tours with a visible 3-to-5-item checklist tied directly to core value delivery to double activation rates.

- Canonical HTML: https://growth.iangoh.com/growth-ideas/activation-checklist-replacing-tooltip-tours-senja-method/
- Source: [eleken.co](https://www.eleken.co/blog-posts/saas-user-onboarding-case-study)
- GrowthDex source hub: [eleken.co](/sources/eleken-co-eleken-co/)
- Last checked: March 22, 2026
- Rarity: epic
- Budget: free
- Channels: Email, Referrals
- Stages: 0-100, 100-1K
- Key metric: 33K MRR

## Why this can grow

Tooltip tours are passive — users click through them without absorbing anything, then feel lost once the tour ends. A visible checklist transforms an open-ended new experience into concrete, achievable tasks that users feel motivated to complete. The satisfaction of checking items off keeps users engaged through the critical first session. Limiting to 3-5 items prevents cognitive overload while ensuring users reach the product's core value before dropping off.

## Ian's take

From scaling consumer platforms across MENA and Southeast Asia, my default is to distrust growth work that only looks good in a slide. The best referral loops I have seen do not feel like campaigns. They feel like the next natural thing after someone gets value. I would look for the exact moment a user feels smart, helped, or ahead, then ask for the share there. I would run it small enough to learn quickly, then only scale the parts that real users repeat, save, reply to, or buy from. For this tactic, I would watch 33K MRR before putting more time or budget behind it.

## Action plan

1. Define one narrow startup segment where activation checklist replacing tooltip tours (senja method) can create a measurable lift.
2. Turn the tactic into one offer, page, campaign, or workflow for the Email and Referrals channel.
3. Use the evidence from eleken.co to set the first version of the message, format, and audience.
4. Launch a small test for 7 to 14 days with one success metric: 33K MRR.
5. Review the result, keep the winning message, remove weak variants, and turn the learning into a repeatable growth playbook.

## Source-backed example

Senja (testimonial collection tool) — replaced their traditional tooltip product tour with a short, completable activation checklist guiding users to their aha moment; doubled their activation rate and grew to $33K MRR.

## Adjacent tactics in the same lane

- [PLG with sales-assist triggers](/growth-ideas/plg-with-sales-assist-triggers/) - 2 shared channels, 2 shared stages
- [Churned subscriber win-back as hidden growth lever](/growth-ideas/churned-subscriber-win-back-as-hidden-growth-lever/) - 2 shared channels, 2 shared stages
- ["Get it for Free" recurring referral discount loop](/growth-ideas/get-it-for-free-recurring-referral-discount-loop/) - 2 shared channels, 2 shared stages
- [Post-value referral timing hack](/growth-ideas/post-value-referral-timing-hack/) - 2 shared channels, 2 shared stages

## Read GrowthDex essays

Browse the plain-English essay index at [GrowthDex Blog](/blog/).

## Advisory

If you want help turning this into a working growth system, Ian Goh offers advisory at https://iangoh.com/advisory.