Indie app marketing

[chubs]

Okay all, i've started my second marketing experiment, on my blog here:

http://splinter.com.au/indie-iphone-...rketing-part-2

@ Luke, sounds like a reasonable idea, you'd just want to make sure that you're all making apps/games of equally good quality, otherwise someone using 'crummy app X' isn't going to want to try your 'awesome app Y' because they'll think it's crummy too, by association. Anyway, if my current marketing experiment works, i guess it'll show that cross-marketing is worth a try.

[nicolasgb]

Originally Posted by Luke Kellett

Have any of you guys thought about cross-marketing opportunities with other developers? i.e. private networks?

I am working on a system with a few other developers, details and link to discussion group here: http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=118313

Can't access the thread but yeah I'm definitely thinking about it. I even thought of teaming up with a couple of companies to make a range of free "viral games" (or revamp exisiting, unperforming paid apps and turn them free) whose aim would be solely to acquire users that we can then market our own "real" games too. Those apps would need to be instant fun and focus heavily on inviting friends, liking a facebook page, posting high scores, interacting with friends, etc. Very much like how Wooga uses Diamond Dash on facebook to promote its other, better monetizing apps.

[tepoortj]

Hi, How does the cross-marketing work?

[GarrettVD]

I'd be interested in cross-marketing with other games... I hear that's an efficient marketing tactic for indie developers. If anyone wants to cross-promote with me (I have one app on the store, and one under development right now) give me a shout!

[LiamAtDevour]

Yeah, cross-marketing would be good to get involved in. But I agree with whoever said it earlier that you'd want to know that your fellow indies were putting out games of a certain quality before you agree to advertise it for them.

Chubs, how'd the results turn out? It's been a few weeks since you started this next experiment, so i assume you've just been busy.

[Silver Josh]

Originally Posted by chubs

Okay all, i've started my second marketing experiment, on my blog here:

http://splinter.com.au/indie-iphone-...rketing-part-2

@ Luke, sounds like a reasonable idea, you'd just want to make sure that you're all making apps/games of equally good quality, otherwise someone using 'crummy app X' isn't going to want to try your 'awesome app Y' because they'll think it's crummy too, by association. Anyway, if my current marketing experiment works, i guess it'll show that cross-marketing is worth a try.

Very interesting. Thanks!

[chubs]

Originally Posted by LiamAtDevour

Chubs, how'd the results turn out? It's been a few weeks since you started this next experiment, so i assume you've just been busy.

Sorry took so long - been moving house.
Basically on *some* days it appears to have made a difference. Eg twice i've seen 5 sales / day for the app i was attempting to promote. But most days the sales for the promoted app are not noticeably different than before.

So... not really much to report.

[LiamAtDevour]

That's a bit of a bummer. Cheers for the info, though

[chubs]

It is a little of a bummer, but i've come up with an idea for my next app: people-driven-development. I wrote a bit more about it on my blog:
http://splinter.com.au/how-i-just-wa...-latest-app-an

Basically, i'll talk to potential customers before starting on my next app. Find an online community full of people who would be interested, and interact with them before making it, rather than building it then trying to tack on some marketing after the fact. I guess for you guys, making games, you could do that right here on toucharcade?

Anyway, a penny for your thoughts? (fine print: no pennies available)

[Luke Kellett]

Originally Posted by chubs

It is a little of a bummer, but i've come up with an idea for my next app: people-driven-development. I wrote a bit more about it on my blog:
http://splinter.com.au/how-i-just-wa...-latest-app-an

Basically, i'll talk to potential customers before starting on my next app. Find an online community full of people who would be interested, and interact with them before making it, rather than building it then trying to tack on some marketing after the fact. I guess for you guys, making games, you could do that right here on toucharcade?

Anyway, a penny for your thoughts? (fine print: no pennies available)

What you've just mentioned is how many online marketers find their niche markets and make products for them. It's a golden rule, find the customers who have a need thats not being met. Then make something to meet that needs :-)

Good luck with your next app, I bet it will be a hit!