by Greg Fisher, founder of Berkeley Sourcing Group
There was a time when any good idea could make you rich with a mobile app. Back then the market was far less saturated and there were big gaps that needed filling. People were searching for apps that just weren’t there yet and this meant that you could easily come along, meet that need, and make it big without even needing any promotion or marketing.
Unfortunately though times have changed. These days everyone is selling an app and most popular searches will bring up hundreds of results. This isn’t a case of ‘build it and they will come’ any more – it’s a case of pushing your app in every way you can, getting as much exposure as possible and using every trick in the book to get noticed. Here are some useful tips that will help you to start doing just that:
1. Try Different Names and Prices.
The great thing about mobile app stores is that you can continue to edit your app even after you’ve uploaded it. That means you can upload an app, find it isn’t selling, and then try changing the name or the price to see if that helps. Experiment with different combinations and see what works best to try and maximise your sales.
Note as well, that if you make a price cut then your app may get noticed and promoted through various sites and applications that list ‘deals’ on the app store.
2. Look for People at Your Own Level.
Many new app developers will attempt to get exposure for their application by writing lots of press releases and then hoping that big websites and even magazines will cover their story. This is a good strategy, but unfortunately it won’t work in most cases. Why? Because big news outlets receive hundreds of such stories every day.
Instead then, you should try approaching the slightly smaller sites that are at more of a similar level to you. Look for the ones that have only just started to gain a following, and that will be excited to hear from a big developer. They will likely cover your story, get you lots of exposure, and then you may even find that the story is picked up by bigger sources.
3. Team Up.
Another strategy is to try teaming up with those bloggers or with other apps in smart ways. For instance you could offer a discounted price only to the readers of a particular news site, or you could make an agreement with another developer that you will each promote each other’s apps. Remember to aim for someone at your level again though!
4. Make Links.
If you are having trouble finding a market for your app, then try ‘linking’ it with other markets. For instance you could release a ‘Christmas edition’ version of your app over Christmas to appeal to the festive excitement over that season. Alternatively you could make a version your app for older users or for fans of another particular hobby. Find ways to get your app to appeal outside your limited market and you can extend your reach!
Greg Fisher, the brains behind this article, started Berkeley Sourcing Group eight years ago after realizing the need for efficient processes and coordination between manufacturing firms located in the United States and factories in China. When he is not busy working, he enjoys reading books or playing a good game of chess with his friends.
