Not sure where you're getting this from. We have a budget for this role, but want to find someone with some agency.

Edit: didn't see your edit. The responsibility is getting more users in - we aren't going to be hand-holding here. We are looking for experience in growing apps and we need guidance from someone who knows more about this than we do. We don't want someone with a strictly employee mindset and we need to work with someone entrepreneurial in spirit given our early and agile stage.

Similarly for compensation - due to the nature of the role it might be a discussion of a performance-based compensation, but we are happy (and would probably prefer) to pay a day-rate of about £250 for the right candidate.

I phrased the post a specific way because we got so many applicants last time that were just spamming everywhere without even clicking on the landing page - we truly believe this to be an exciting and novel project with great foundations and want someone who is excited to work with us.

I'm getting it from the fact that you aren't showing people a job posting. Nor are you asking about their experience. Your application process is to send you ideas for growth. That is why it sounds like free consulting.

I know the kind of person you are looking for. I am that type of person. And I'm telling you there is no way I'd download an app and send my ideas in as part of a job application. I'd gladly do so as a small paid gig during the application process, when we have talked and it feels like my experience matches your needs. But not as the initial contact, no way.

I have used and analysed any product in jobs I was applying for in the past, and I got a good understanding of what I could bring to the table which I was very happy to spend 10-15 minutes communicating with them, being secure enough in my own abilities that they wouldn't be the type to run off and for some reason implement anything I said themselves when I know they are actively looking for resource to improve the company. We are looking for that sort of curiosity and excitement in helping build our platform out so we can reach and help even more users.

Point taken in one sense (perhaps, we'll see if we find someone great with this post), but (and I don't mean this as a slight at all) the transactional attitude you illustrate in your post is exactly what we are trying to avoid. We want creativity and curiosity!