Launch 101: How to Market Your App

So, the big day has arrived. You’ve spent months designing, building, and refining your app, and now you’re ready to introduce it to your audience. You think it’s something special, but you’re worried the rest of the world might not. Worse still, you’re wondering if anyone will actually download it.

We’re going to be straight with you – your fears are valid. With so many incredible apps on the market, it’s easy for new releases to get lost amidst the crowds. That’s why marketing is so important. Below, we take a look at some of the most effective ways to promote your product and get it out to the masses.  

Create a video intro

Video marketing is one of the top trends of 2022. As many as 85% of businesses now use it, with 92% of professionals regarding it as an important part of their strategy. Easier for viewers to digest than text, video content means minimal effort is required on the part of your audience to learn about your product. As a result, they’re more likely to listen to what you have to say, be intrigued, and download your app.

Pitch blog owners

One issue with launching a new product is you don’t have an inbuilt audience eagerly listening to what you have to say. Do you know who does? Tech blogs (along with influencers in other relevant niches). If you genuinely believe your app could be useful, contact them and send across a pitch. They might allow you to feature on their site, which means their entire audience is going to read about what you have to offer.

Use social media

Social media is also a highly effective form of advertising. If you have an existing business page, use this to tell your audience about the app you’ll be releasing. Chances are they already have an interest in your product and might well go and check it out. Paid social media advertising can be a useful tool too, allowing you to select a target demographic and make sure your app is seen by those who are most likely to be interested in it.

Request reviews

One thing consumers don’t enjoy is uncertainty. No one wants to download a product – much less pay for it – if they’re unsure of how good it will be. They like to see proof of what they’ll be getting, and reviews provide this. There are tons of review sites, and the most useful in terms of marketing are those that focus on a particular niche. For example, if you were launching a video-streaming-based casino app, you’d contact a site that ranks, rates, and reviews live-dealer casino apps and sites. Consumers could use this to find out what other people thought of your offering, the types of bonuses you had available, and how and where to sign up.    

Contribute to online conversations

Let’s imagine for a minute that you were launching an equestrian app providing horse riders with accurate information on the health of their horses. Your target audience would be relatively niche, and the majority of people would have little use for your product. However, those who would be interested would likely frequent particular places online, such as horse-focused forums and groups on Facebook and other social media platforms. By joining discussions in these arenas and subtly raising awareness of your app, you build authority and let your niche audience know where to find you.   

Apply for app awards

Sometimes, you do great work and are recognised for it. Other times, you have to seek that recognition out. App awards are an opportunity to do this. There are lots of them out there, and they’re always on the hunt for innovative new releases to reward and promote. Contact them and make them aware of your product to see if you could be in the running.  

When it comes to successfully creating an app, development is the easy part! The real challenge starts when it’s time to market your app, and you’re suddenly up against dozens of other great options with an established reputation and existing following.

The solution is to be innovative and unafraid to experiment with your marketing strategy, and the tips contained in this article are an ideal place to start. Why not put them into practice today?