All right, so you’ve developed an amazing app and it’s time to spread the word, hit the top of the charts, and get rich. First things first: you’ll need a Super Bowl commercial. Studies show there’s simply no better way to reach millions in a short amount of time …
What’s that? $3.8 million dollars for 30 seconds of airtime is too much?
Okay, nevermind. Unless you manage to get adopted by Bill Gates, you probably won’t be able to afford to go the Super Bowl ad route. Let’s go to Plan B. Plan B includes the following four budget-friendly strategies that will let you promote your app without breaking the bank:
1. Reward customers
Except for the word “free,” nothing entices a download as much as the promise of earning some kind of reward for doing so. While you have to avoid violating any app marketplace’s terms of use, the more you can offer prizes, discounts, gifts, and other rewards to users for downloading, sharing, rating, and reviewing your app, the better.
The reward doesn’t have to be expensive, and it pays to get creative, here. You can offer winners a free download of another app that you or a partner company developed, a free pass to an event, or (if your app is a game) even incorporating the winner into your game. Give users a reason to help you out.
2. Toot your own horn
Press releases are an underrated tool for spreading the word about your app. If it’s inventive, better than the competition, more full-featured than the others out there, or has something else great going for it, you have a shot at getting some decent press. But don’t expect the New York Times to promote your app for you. If you have a neat offering, however, smaller bloggers and niche outlets may well be interested in producing a write up.
Also, if a formal press release intimidates you, don’t be afraid to reach out to members of the “Internet press” directly with a simple email. You’d probably be surprised at the responses and results you can get this way.
3. Be a thought leader
When it comes to the topic addressed by your app, it pays to be a bit of an authority on the subject. For example, if your app helps families design and lookup fire safety plans, it would be great to have a blog about fire safety. The more relevant content you produce about your topic, the more credible your app becomes. Your blog also is a great promotional tool, even if there aren’t many fans. You never know who will read your material and then go on to spread the word on social media or elsewhere.
4. If all else fails, bite the bullet
… and buy some ads!
We know, we know. This is all about affordable marketing. But you don’t have to go crazy, here. A limited placement or two through Admob, Inmobi, Mobclix, or another network can deliver excellent value, depending on your ad and your app.
Remember, “affordable” doesn’t always have to mean “free.” Sometimes getting great value is the best buy of all.
Good luck out there!