You have an app but no marketing budget. No worries. There are endless ways to advertise your app without breaking the bank. The only cost to you is your time and effort.
Pitch to App Review Sites
App review websites are plentiful on the Internet nowadays. Why not convince some of them to mention your app and give it an honest review? It can produce quite the buzz. You can choose from generic review sites like TopTenReviews.com and CNET.com. Or app-specific websites like AppAdvice.com and AppStoreApps.com.
Most of these sites have a “Contact Us” page. Simply craft a compelling email as to why your app should be reviewed and send it out to multiple sites.
COST: $0
Press Never Hurts
Getting mentioned in the press can do wonders for your app! Take a lesson from the makers of the LowestMed app for example. After writing and sending a number of press releases to various television stations, the team at LowestMed was pleasantly surprised to see a feature story picked up and broadcast on 108 stations nationwide. This coverage resulted in a 15,000% spike in app downloads. Yes, 15,000%.
Take the time to craft a well-thought-out and convincing press release. Then send it to known media outlets. Because you may not be skilled in press release writing, here are some websites with useful information: PRDaily.com, PRNewsWire.com, and PRWeb.com.
COST: $0
Apply for Awards
Applying for an award is easier than you think. There are awards for nearly everything, including apps. Here are just a few sites where you can apply for awards: http://themobileys.com/, http://tabbyawards.com/, http://www.webbyawards.com/. If you win, not only will you enjoy the press coverage, but the prize oftentimes exceeds $10,000. Not too bad for $0 marketing budget.
COST: $0
Get Social
Social media is quickly becoming a major player in any marketing strategy and socializing your app is one of the easiest ways to make a sale. Millions of people use their mobile devices to communicate via social media. Those millions are only one click away from your app. A simple click from your post to the AppStore or Google Play Store could mean a download and a new customer for life. Consider using Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. Be mindful of the type of audience on each platform, because they do vary.
COST: $0
Contact Relevant Bloggers
Find bloggers who write on topics associated with your app. So, if you have an exercise app, pitch to health and fitness bloggers. A good example is the LowestMed app pitches to nurse bloggers and coupon bloggers since the app is about discounts on prescription drugs.
When crafting your pitch, be sure to highlight the reasons why writing about your app would benefit their readers. But avoid a straight sales pitch about how wonderful your app is. It’s not a bad idea to include similar apps in the pitch to help bloggers give a well-rounded perspective of your app and its associated industry. (I would just avoid including your toughest competitor.)
COST: $0
Create 6-Second How-To Videos
Video marketing is a valuable resource in educating your customer on the ins-and-outs of your app. According to Vine.co, their platform is the best way to see and share life in motion.
The catch? You only have 6-seconds to convey the story via video. It’s wildly popular and can be a great tool for promoting your app. Consider starting with “How-To” videos. They can have a broad, overarching topic or can be specific on using your app.
COST: $0
If you have an app and need to spread the word about it, why not start with free marketing tactics? Try them all and let me know how they worked for you! Stay tuned for Part 2 of “$0 Budget Marketing Tips for Your App.”
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