Account upgrade email transforms into sponsorship offer

Mixpanel nailed the “pay or play” strategy in this upgrade email. Instead of forcing users to upgrade, they offer a win‑win: pay for more usage or get it free by adding a Mixpanel badge to your site.

Why it works

• Offers real value with two clear options
• Turns a billing notice into a brand growth opportunity
• Reduces friction—no hard sell, just a small favor
• Uses scarcity (data limit) to prompt immediate action
• Personalized usage stats build urgency

Examples of similar moves

• Dropbox gave free storage for referrals
• Zoom reminds users their meeting will end soon—then upsells Pro
• Trello limits boards but offers simple upgrade links
• Mailchimp uses “send limit” nudges to move free users into paid plans