Ask HN: Tips for marketing a good app?

1 points by sarreph 12y ago ↗ HN

Hi there,

I'm a student, and an iOS app developer; I've published a couple of apps in the past that have been mildly successful. However, nothing I've published has come close enough to making enough revenue to live off for when I leave college.

After improving my skills a lot over the last year or so, and teaming up with a designer, I think I may have an (in development) that could achieve some sort of success. However, I am aware that marketing and PR are key in the 'app game', and so I was wondering if anyone has any tips for marketing an app? (I'm not experienced in app marketing practice at all)

Thanks!

2 comments

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dogfoodheaven 12y ago ↗

Here are a few tips that I have found worked well

Bloggers: Reach out to bloggers who have reviewed similar apps and offer them a sneak peek before launch, if the app is solid they will write about it.

Ratings: Ask users if they are enjoying the app after 3 uses, if they say yes ask them to rate, if no ask them for feedback. This will capture bad feedback and push positive reviews

Cost: If it is a paid app consider making it a lower price for launch so it has a greater chance of trending

App screenshots: Show images of actual people using it, this spells out the use cases

postblogism 12y ago ↗

Facebook, Facebook, Facebook. Don't listen to the haters. Nothing even comes close to the level of marketing Facebook can give you to your target audience...and it's cheap! Enough said