Newsstand

July 17, 2011
Learn the 1, 2, 3’s of Application Marketing [DMA11]

Application marketing is a lot more difficult than it looks. Many companies mistakenly think that simply building an application will cause the herds to flock. But marketing in apps is a tricky proposition that requires a lot of thought and planning. Here are your top three considerations.

1. Be the first. Getting that “one great idea” isn’t exactly easy. But if you train yourself to think outside the box, you just might come up with a mobile application that turns your company into a household name overnight. Sometimes, the greatest ideas arise in jest—keeping an open mind that just about anything is possible with mobile applications might tip you off to a genius idea.
2. Reinvent the wheel. Hey, it’s possible. Just look at what’s been done with coupon applications and bar code scanners for an idea of how you don’t have to display genius to revolutionize your industry. Take a long hard look at the applications that others in your industry have put out. Ask yourself how they could be made better, or what’s missing. By taking a great idea and making it your own, you could achieve a unique app that everyone will want to get their hands on.
3. Use social media to get your app noticed. There are literally millions of nifty applications available online, many of which never get noticed—not because they’re no good, but because there’s no promotional plan in place. Use your website and multiple social media platforms to promote your app once it’s published. The wider you cast your net, the better chance you have of people taking notice.

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