It's a new app-pocalypse every month, with an average of 70,000 new Android apps flooding the Google Play Store and around 32,000 new iOS apps hitting the Apple App Store.
The world is practically begging for great mobile apps, and as an app developer or marketer, this is your chance to be a hero! By understanding the needs and wants of your target audience and creating apps that truly deliver value and solve problems, you can tap into the never-ending demand for quality apps.
But just like a masterpiece hidden in a basement, an app that is not effectively marketed may not be discovered by potential users, regardless of how high-quality or useful it may be.
That's where marketing strategies come in. Without the right app promotion strategies, even the best app can get lost in the vast sea of options.How to market your app?
Let’s go back in time. The year is 2015. Story time.
There was once a music streaming app called Rdio which was ahead of its time, with a library of 5 million songs and social features that let you see what your friends were jamming to in real-time.
But unfortunately, the app's co-founders didn't seem to value the importance of mobile marketing strategy and didn't have a dedicated marketing staff or plan.
As a result, they couldn't build up a targeted user base, and when Spotify came along offering free music streaming (supported by ads) and a hefty marketing budget, Rdio just couldn't compete.
It's a sad tune for an app that had so much potential, but it just goes to show that even the coolest features can't save you without a solid app promotion strategies.
Welcome back to the future! As we gear up for 2023, it's important to remember the tried-and-true method of promoting your mobile app: App Store Optimization (ASO), the SEO for the app world.
By optimizing your app's ranking in search results, you increase your chances of being discovered by the right audience. And let's be real, who doesn't want more downloads?
In this article, we'll be sharing some top-notch strategies to get your app in front of the right audiences and watch those download numbers soar.
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Nurture a supportive community
Gather your troops! Building a strong community around your app is a sure-fire way to not only increase visibility, but also foster loyal users. Whether it's through social media, forums, or in-app features, creating a hub for discussion and engagement can do wonders for your app's success.
Connect with users on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok etc.
Foster real relationships with your current users and turn them into brand advocates. When a community is organically sharing and engaging with your content, you know you've hit the jackpot.
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Powerful email marketing
In the crowded app store, email marketing is the ultimate wingman for your app. It helps you retain valuable users, acquire new ones, and offer promotional deals to keep them coming back for more.
Plus, with email marketing, you can skip the middleman (aka social media algorithms) and go straight to your users' inboxes.
And the best part? They've already expressed interest in hearing from you, so you know you're reaching a receptive audience. Don't be afraid to shoot your shot - send those emails and watch your engagement soar.
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User-generated content
With user-generated content, you can kill two birds with one stone: build a loyal community and save a few bucks on marketing.
Plus, UGC is like word-of-mouth on steroids - it's a powerful way to showcase your app to new audiences. So why not let your community do the talking (and sharing) for you?
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Leveraging education to attract customers
Unleash the power of knowledge in your mobile app promotion strategies! Use it as your secret weapon to attract and retain customers. Be transparent and honest about your app's strengths and weaknesses.
Highlight your app's most unique and useful features, and don't be afraid to openly address any areas where you may be lacking. To drive the point home, make sure to keep a bank of helpful resources easily accessible on your social media channels.
By providing valuable information and insights, you'll not only demonstrate your expertise, but also make your users more likely to download and love your app by making them feel involved.
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Influencer marketing
Having a squad of brand ambassadors is like having a team of superheroes fighting for your app. They're the ones defending your brand, spreading the word about your app's features, and recruiting new users to join the team.
So why not assemble your own squad of brand ambassadors and let them take your app to new heights? These ambassadors are trusted by their followers more than the brand itself.
Plus, with influencer marketing taking place on a casual and authentic platform like Instagram, it feels like a recommendation from a friend - which is the highest form of flattery (and conversion rate) in the marketing world.
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Content is still king
Content isn't just a means to an end - it's the key to building a loyal user base and establishing your app as an industry leader.
There are many different types of content you can create to promote your app, including blog posts, articles, social media posts, videos, podcasts, webinars, infographics, and more. The key is to find the types of content that resonate with your target audience and to consistently provide value through the information, entertainment, or education you offer.
In addition to helping you attract and retain users, unique content can also help improve your app's visibility and search rankings. By producing high-quality content that is shareable and optimized for search engines, you can increase the chances of your app being discovered by potential users.
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Paid Ads for app marketing
Got some cash to burn and a specific goal in mind? Time to break out the paid advertising! With paid ads on social media, you can laser-focus your message and target the exact audience you want.
Just keep in mind that paid ads are like fireworks - they're great for making a big impact and attracting attention, but they're not meant to last.
So use them to gain followers, raise brand awareness, and boost your downloads, but don't expect them to stick around forever. Think of paid ads as a temporary boost to your marketing efforts, rather than a long-term solution.
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Showcasing and answering reviews
Don't be shy about asking for a review or rating - it's like getting a free promotion for your app. Positive reviews are valuable social proof that can help you attract new users on social media.
And if you want to keep your users coming back for more, make sure to respond to their reviews, no matter what they say. It shows that you value their feedback and are committed to providing a great user experience.
Plus, other people on social media may take notice of your prompt response and be more likely to give your app a try. So go ahead and embrace the power of reviews - they can do wonders for your app's success!
Concluding thoughts
In conclusion, a killer app marketing strategy is non-negotiable if you want your mobile app to succeed. It's important to remember that the world of mobile app marketing is constantly evolving, and it's essential to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques.
This means continuously testing and experimenting with different mobile app promotion strategies to see what works best for your app and your target audience. It's also crucial to be agile and willing to pivot your marketing efforts if they're not yielding the desired results.
Ultimately, the key to a successful mobile app marketing strategy is to offer value and solve problems for your target audience. By understanding their needs and creating an app that truly delivers, you can tap into the ever-present demand for quality apps and drive lasting success.
Take your mobile app to the next level with Altorise. Our team of experts specialize in creating custom app marketing strategies that stay ahead of the curve. From identifying the right trends and techniques to experimenting and pivoting your efforts as needed, we'll work with you to increase your app's visibility and drive downloads. With our help, you'll RISE above the competition and ensure your app's success. Contact us today to see the difference Altorise can make for your app.
FAQ
There are a number of ways to track the success of your promotional marketing efforts for your mobile app. Here are some metrics you can use:
- App downloads: Track the number of times your app has been downloaded.
- App usage: Track how often and for how long users are using your app.
- User engagement: Track metrics like the number of daily active users, monthly active users, and retention rate.
- In-app purchases: Track how many users are making in-app purchases and how much revenue is being generated.
- Advertising ROI: Track the return on investment for any advertising campaigns you're running.
- A/B Testing: Conduct A/B testing on different creatives, ad copy, targeting and placements and see what works best for your campaigns.
App store optimization (ASO) is the process of optimizing your app's listing in the app store to improve its visibility and ranking in search results.
Here are some ways to optimize your app for the app store:
- Use keywords in the app title and description: Choose keywords that are relevant to your app and that users are likely to search for.
- Get positive reviews and ratings: Encourage users to leave positive reviews and ratings for your app.
- Use screenshots and videos: Include screenshots and videos of your app in the listing to give users a preview of what it looks like and what it does.
- Update your app regularly: Keep your app updated to fix bugs and add new features. This will also help your app to rank higher.
- Invest in App Store Review: Apple/Google review process can be quite lengthy and need investment to speed up the process.
- Use social media
- SMS marketing
- Mobile optimization
- Location-based marketing
- Influencer marketing
- App Store Optimization (ASO)
- CRM and Loyalty Programs
- AR (Augmented Reality) or VR (Virtual Reality)
- Influencer Marketing
- Traditional Marketing
- Referrals and Invites
- Paid Advertising
- Free trials strategies
- Email marketing
- Respond to customer feedback
- Reward loyal customers
- Building a community with your existing and potential customers
- Provide consistent support
- Send timely reminders
- Send relevant and important alerts