No matter how exciting and unique your application is, if you do not promote your app effectively it is likely to get lost in the sea of the hundreds of thousand other applications. However, if you follow these next fifty suggestions you could be on your way to securing the success of your app and making the big bucks.
1. The Top Hundred!
iPhone users often peruse the top apps listed in the application store, and your apps ranking is directly affected by unit downloads. One way to break into the top hundred is to choose a catchy name that will easily pop up when searched for. And do not be afraid to look at your competition, it can help guide your marketing decisions.
2. Get Your App Reviewed
There are a large number of website that now review iOS applications and sending your app to them can help boost publicity. Make sure you give them a promotional code so they can download your app for free – no critic is going to pay to use your app!
3. Establish Public Relations
You want your customer as well as the media to feel comfortable with you and your company. Never underestimate the benefits of a feature story written in the media or of good customer service. Additionally, consider bunching up your publicity opportunity in order to maximize the chances of your app ranking in the top 100.
4. Unique Postage
Consider using custom postage stamps, such as your application’s icon design, on all mailings.
5. Use Promotional Ads Within Other Applications
There are a large number of ad-supported applications out there, and it may be worth your while to advertise your app within other applications. There is a growing networks that support in-app advertising that may help you reach your target audience.
6. AddThis
‘AddThis’ is a way to promote your application all over the internet. Remember that when you are promoting your app online to have an AddThis Button which will allows people to easily put your information into their Blogs, Myspaces, Facebooks, or WordPresses.
7. Target Your Advertising
When you designed your application you probably had a good idea of whom you were designing it for. Now is the time to think about those potential consumers and target your advertising directly at them.
8. Promote your application with current customers
That is to say, print your application on store receipts, packaging, shipping insertions, tote bags, invoices, restaurant menus, shipping containers etcetera. This way your current customers are aware of the app.
9. Participate in Question and Answer Forums
Go online to question boards that require answers and provide links to your website so potential buyers can learn about your app.
10. Marketing via Email
If you send out highly targeted emails you can reach potential customers and make them aware of your app. However, make sure you are CAN-SPAM compliant to avoid fines or criminal penalties. To get an email list try infoUSA.com
11. Strategic Pricing
Not all application are free or $99 for that matter. Consider pricing your app higher if you think it can compete at that level. Also, do not be afraid to use promotions to lower the price for a limited time. These types of promotions can bring your app into the Top 100 by increasing download volume.
12. Make a Presentation
It can be beneficial to create and upload a slide show presentation that shows your application in action. Consider using Keynote, PowerPoint, or OpenOffice.
13. Launch Sponsorship
Securing launch sponsorship to promote and co-promote your application can help achieve widespread recognition of your application.
14. Integrate Sharing
Social networking is all the rage and your app can greatly benefit from including an integrating “Tell-a-Friend” feature.
15. Integrate Twitter
This is tied to point number 14, however is even more important. People love twitter and if your application allows them seamlessly update their Twitter you can benefit from free advertising.
16. Exclusive Content
Make sure you give people a reason to download your application, such as exclusive content that is not available anywhere else.
17. Mobile Bar-coding
That is to say, use those weird square things that look really funky. They are called QR Codes and are an incredibly effective way to get people linked directly to your website and you should include them on all business correspondence.
18. Update Your App
Sometimes people get bored with your application or it simply falls behind the competition. To keep your app relevant periodically update with new features to maintain publicity and support.
19. Collaborate with Others
Do not be above finding other companies that may be interested in working with you. Reaching out to those who specialize in your field can help to boost both your business and achieve greater promotional power.
20. Online Networks
In points 14 and 15 you made it so that your customers can use online social networking, but you should also be using it yourself. Promote your own product through networks like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, and LInkedIn.
21. Search Directories
It can be very important to get listed in online directories such as DMOZ, which powers the most popular search engines on the internet.
22. Use Your Blog
Create and use a blog for you app in which you post promotions for certain activities like downloading or ‘friending’ on social networks.
23. Facebook Fans
Facebook isn’t just for individuals; you can also make it so that customers can be fans of your product. Let them speak their support!
24. Two Versions of the App
If you can, create two versions of your application: a trail version and a paid version. This way people can get a taste of your app without having to download the whole thing. Just make it tantalizing enough so that they will want the full application.
25. Optimize Search Engine Rankings
Do not be afraid to use Google Adwords keyword tool in order to improve the chances of customers finding your webpage.
26. Professional Email
If you want people to take your business seriously you need to make sure your email address is professional sounding. Also add a organization signature at the bottom of each email that gives your recipient the information necessary to respond.
27. New Website
Make a new website to show off your app. Be sure to include screenshots that demonstrate the features and benefits of your app. Also, be sure to include a “Available in the iPhone App Store” button to make customers able to easily purchase your app.
28. Create a Mailing List
Set up a monthly newsletter that sends information to your customers and prospects.
29. Video Campaign
Set up a YouTube account and upload videos of your application in action. Again, don’t forget to include links to make it easy for people to download your app.
30. Ad-Sponsored Applications
Connect with AdMOb Download Exchange, which will let new users discover your app from within hundreds of other ad-supported applications.
31. LinkedIn
You may never heard of LinkedIn, but it can be an incredibly effective tool for linking with potential customers. It is essentially a social network for professionals and you can use it to link people interested in your company to your website, Twitter, or YouTube page.
32. Use Forums
Forums are a common place for people to meet online and post questions and discussions. It can be beneficial for you to participate in relevant forums and plug your app when appropriate.
33. Paid Marketing
It can sometimes be beneficial to use paid advertising through Google AdWords, Yahoo Search Marketing, or Live Search. This can help potential customers reach your website where they can then learn more about the benefits of your app.
34. Use Current Resources
If you company already has in place sell sheets and PowerPoint presentations, you should update them to include information about your new application.
35. Direct (Snail) Mail
If your company already sends mail directly to customers and prospective customers, consider updating these mails to include information about your application. Also, remember to use Consumers lists to help filter potentials by geography, home value, age, wealth, hobbies, religion, and ethnicity. This information can help you better target consumers.
36. Promotional Goods
Consider using branded items such as T-Shirts, mugs, cards, pens, etcetera to help promote your company and app.
37. Talk About Your App
Do not underestimate how important Word-of-Mouth support can be to promoting your application. Make sure you tell your friends, relatives, and colleagues about your application and ask them to tell their friends about the app.
38. Professional Phones
This is similar to point 26. You want to make sure that if customers call your company you have things in place like voice mail and on-hold messaging to make sure they understand you are selling a quality product. Also, consider changing your on-hold message to include information about the new application.
39. Design and Utilize Banners
Banners including information about your application can be used to promote your app at a given trade show or even within your establishment.
40. Text-Messaging
More and more people are no longer even using the telephone feature of their phones and are simply using SMS text messaging. Consider utilizing a targeted text-message campaign to promote your app.
41. Digg
Submitting an article or video regarding your app to Digg.com will appear in “Upcoming Stories” where members can easily find it and spread the word of your app if they like it. If enough people ‘digg’ your app, it will move to the homepage thus further promoting your app.
42. Free Classifieds
It can be advantageous to promote your application through free classifieds like Craigslist or even the PennySaver.
43. Party!
No, not a crazy booze filled night of debauchery (though it could be if you wanted). Rather, I am talking about an app launch party that invites friends, associates, customers and prospects. Consider including a cake that has a picture of your app icon on it to push promotion.
44. Design Images
Use your Icon to make wallpapers and backgrounds for people to use on their online networks and on various web pages.
45. Shipping and Wrapping Paper
Consider making customer shipping and wrapping paper that are decorated with your app icon. Use this when shipping products or when wrapping party favors at your launch party.
46. Candy!
People love candy. You can capitalize on this by making promotional cell phone shaped mint tins with your app information on it.
47. Auto-Response
Update your company auto-response email to include promotional information about your new app.
48. Location-Based Social Media
Integrate into your app the ability to use social media apps that reveal people nearby with similar interests or who are also using your application. One such app is called Loopt.
49. Image Projection
Image projection, yes using light to project your image against an indoor our outdoor wall, can be incredibly effective as it is huge and very visible for everyone to see.
50. Update Company Directories
If you have a large number of company employees and surrogates, make sure to send out an email updating them on the application.
Additional Information
Marketing your app is essential to its success, and there are many effective strategies you can use to promote your app to your target audience. Here are some ways to market your app: