Met with a professional marketeer yesterday ...
xyloFUN
Member Posts: 1,593
Hey gang,
like everyone here, I don't want to make costly mistakes or miss an opportunity and therefore met with a marketing specialist who could advise me how to proceed.
Before I state what he told me, I want to say that he is not marketing mobile apps as his expertise lays with web marketing and desktop software.
He researched what I have done so far and told me to make all my stuff free! His guess was that doing so would build a brand recognition for "Little Composers" which later on can be very valuable.
Does this make any sense to you guys?
Sometime later today or maybe tomorrow my latest app, "Notes for Little Composers" will hit the app store.
It teaches those who have trouble with note reading the note names, is very simple to use and potentially could live on hundreds of thousands of iPhones out there.
The only hurdle is the right price.
If I make it free, no doubt it will receive mass downloads as there is currently no app that does it the way mine does (i've researched them all before I built mine) plus, as a music teacher I know that right now students and teachers are struggling because January and February are weird for learning ... I've seen this every year!
Anyone here has any logic to add?
Is an app that has potential for mass appeal better used to build brand recognition and thus ok to give away as a freebie?
Or, will 99 cents cripple it into obligation?
I have a few hours left to make that decision .....
like everyone here, I don't want to make costly mistakes or miss an opportunity and therefore met with a marketing specialist who could advise me how to proceed.
Before I state what he told me, I want to say that he is not marketing mobile apps as his expertise lays with web marketing and desktop software.
He researched what I have done so far and told me to make all my stuff free! His guess was that doing so would build a brand recognition for "Little Composers" which later on can be very valuable.
Does this make any sense to you guys?
Sometime later today or maybe tomorrow my latest app, "Notes for Little Composers" will hit the app store.
It teaches those who have trouble with note reading the note names, is very simple to use and potentially could live on hundreds of thousands of iPhones out there.
The only hurdle is the right price.
If I make it free, no doubt it will receive mass downloads as there is currently no app that does it the way mine does (i've researched them all before I built mine) plus, as a music teacher I know that right now students and teachers are struggling because January and February are weird for learning ... I've seen this every year!
Anyone here has any logic to add?
Is an app that has potential for mass appeal better used to build brand recognition and thus ok to give away as a freebie?
Or, will 99 cents cripple it into obligation?
I have a few hours left to make that decision .....
Comments
Having said that however I think your case is somewhat unique as most games likely won't have the stickie-ness of your products, the target audience attraction and bonding. I think I saw someone else mention how you could offer additional levels, music, abilities, lessons etc via in-app purchases (when it finally gets to GS) and I agree.
Perhaps building a larger audience now (and forgoing revenues) may expand your audience who can be passed an upgrade later with in-app purchases to plug.
I can only see that model working - to build brand recognition - if you have a solid road map as to what is going to build off that recognition. For example, let's say that "Notes for Little Composers" is released for free and gains popularity. First off, other than the number of downloads, how are you going to know it is popular or that people are using it? Can you include a URL to request people provide feedback (or something similar to determine usage)?
Then, if it does appear to be a used and useful piece of software, what are YOU planning to do to capitalize on that popularity?
Will you just release V2 with some enhancements at a new, non-free price point?
Will you release a complimentary piece of software that works side by side with "Little Composers"?
So it's not exactly an easy question but if it were me and I were to release it for free, I'd have at least one or two applications in various stages of design that would work hand-in-hand with my educational product.
Best of luck!
-R-
@Rattlehead,
the only way to tell if an app is popular is to constantly monitor its rank with appannie (or another site that does this).
Dual (free/non free) versions are getting tricker to do because Apple is encouraging "in app purchase" rather than littering their store with twins.
@Slick 0
I am often worried about the "next generation" too. It is sad that they have developed a "short term focus" due to the fact that their brain is consumed with useless computer games (which I am not a fan of).
Creativity is in short supply ...
I am still amazed that for every 1000 free downloads a handful will buy!
Also, my last instrument, the flute is selling better than everything else combined ... which surprised me as well.
But this time, the note apps (there are two, one for treble and one for bass clef) are for the iphone which has a huge user-base compared to the ipads which are slowly catching up.
I am very curious how the note apps will do.
I think that I will open with 99 cents and then go free when it makes sense.
"Marketing" means advertising your app, not "how much" you sell it for.
I also suggest making a "lite" (free) version with less features so people have an incentive to buy the full version.
I agree 100% ad that is why none of my music apps have it!
Lately, I am toying with the idea of making something "like" a game which is unrelated to my music stuff but as I mentioned earlier, games are hard (for me) to do with coding so I have to stick to buttons that make sounds Well, he is and he is also a friend who is trying to help me figure it out without too many mistakes. As you know, mistakes cost money.
I have a free accordion which I made for the European market and Carnival season, and you are right. This is indeed helpful but the future of this one trick pony is hard to predict with Apple's goal to clean up the zoo!
One thing I do notice and something that might be helpful for others as well is that the more apps I have, the more the sales increase. The flute is the horse that pulls the wagon right now and hopefully, the iPhone apps will continue that trend
The guy is in a web mindset; obviously. As someone who used to get by primarily from internet income I get it, it's good advice for 'net stuff - just not for apps.
You also need to consider that this is a niche app, those who find it are looking for it and willing to pay - it isn't something someone would impulse download if they had no interest in the specific subject.
Goodluck either way!
Peach
@Pixomuse I completely agree. I hate when one of his apps has in app purchases or ads
Thanks for explaining. Also thanks for the Apple guidelines note.
Thanks, i can always use good luck. Speaking of "thanks" ... how is your little booklet coming along?
OK, the reason which adds to my excitement is that Apple just approved the notes app so it should surface shortly!
Where was i?
oh yes, marketing ...
as soon as i find the app in the app store, i will give out promo codes as if it was Christmas
I appreciate your insight!
Just for a quick update ... this afternoon my mind was "replaying" parts of that meeting and I remembered a few more things that are important and therefore, I made the notes learning app free for a while because it is not the "main" attraction!
Hopefully this way, many eyes will look at it and maybe pick up the bass clef app? Will see.
This is a tricky game because my friend does not realize that people are getting tired quickly and move on to the next free thing.
So for now, the bet is on getting the name out and build up Little Composers ... get traffic to the web site and make people familiar with that name!
You should consider free only if one of the following is true:
- You will have in-app purchases (not with GS for now...)
- Your strategy is based on iAds (need 10's of thousands to make real money)
- Your app is going to be heavily used and can be used as a platform to publish your new apps (most apps are not used for more than 2-4 days)
In any case, going from paid to free is easier, the other way is hard.
just my 2 cents...
If I can solve that one, than I'm ok. If I can't, then there is no way to make a living with creating instruments for the app store.
Hopefully I have more luck with the windows versions because many parents are searching for apps that are non violent and as you know ... there aren't that many.
Definitely much to consider.
So long as it has an obvious name and description and you get exposure from suitable places. Youtube vids of kids using your app sent to music learning websites? Know any schools that would post something about you?
Hope to get back to it soon, though
Really hope your app goes well, I agree with the post shaz made above
We'll meet again maybe on Sunday? PP, Queens don't get sick!
Some days this feels worse like playing the lottery! LOL
In a few days, I know more I suppose. But I hate walking on thin ice!
Than again ... there is always Egypt! LOL
I just downloaded and installed a 30 day trail of PRISMO (desktop tracking tool) and I LOVE IT!
Wow ... i am richer than i think! LOL
Seriously, this is a very clever app
I like it and wish Apple would use something like that
If you have time, would you please leave a review for the Magic Flute in your iTunes store?
grazie,
Ernesto
I can see the advantage as the mass audience of a free app may like your work and if your a Pro member you could put a link to your other paid apps...the instruments.
That said...possibly making it paid 59p for a month, will get one boost of sales, then make it free and it will get noticed on all the price tracking apps and websites and give you a second boost in sales.
Potentially getting you up into the charts for a while twice...Once on launch and once on price drop...
Also if it is that good an app for teachers, maybe start higher, go down to 59p then free.. giving you more attention on the price dropping websites
good luck...
good points ... i have seen bumps after price drops and it is as you say
Unfortunately, with low sales, I can not justify the $500 for the pro version just to get the URL feature ... as nice as it would be.
Currently, I am learning how to do what I do with actual code rather than drag & drop because if I want to move up a notch, my instruments have to perform quite a bit faster and as it is now, I have hit the limit with GS.
For example, the paid version of the accordion has also an organ but when you switch to that (via scene change) you have to touch each key once so that there is no delay ... this is not good but there is nothing I can do ... i think (not sure if I can force to empty the memory and swap sounds?)
Early this year, I have started to work on a trumpet app for the iPhone and now i'm finishing it up if I can.
After that, I have to evaluate if there is a way to earn money from all of this .... or not :-)
I just checked with apple and the numbers are identical (math was easy because of the lack of high values
One of the better finds out there for sure!