Release Strategy

GannuscioGannuscio Member Posts: 36
edited November -1 in Business and Marketing Theory
Hello All,

I have a quick question based on the current strategy I am using right now on a game I just release yesterday. I have released the game as a free app and I plan on placing a price tag on it once it reaches close to 5,000+ downloads.

In my first day I had over 1000+ downloads so it won't take long to get there but I was wondering your thoughts on this strategy? Will I retain my positioning in the App Store once I change the app to a paid app?

All of your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Comments

  • mangaroomangaroo Member Posts: 419
    link us the game id imagine it would affect things
  • GannuscioGannuscio Member Posts: 36
    Magnaroo,

    The itunes link is: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/balloon-academy-hd-pre-k-kindergarten/id442974329?mt=8&ls=1

    It was developed by me for my company MathZee.

    I believe this is what you were asking for, so let me know if it wasn't?
  • mangaroomangaroo Member Posts: 419
    hmm ok well i'd imagine yes it would drop considerably when the price is changed, but you are doing the right thing with this type of game by having it free to 5000. this game really needs word of mouth from parents to spread - so aslong as their kid doesnt get too frustrated and impresses the parents then im sure that will happen (spreading) and even if the climb to 5000 from 1000 starts to drop id really think about keeping it free until you reach the goal because if it drops and you switch it to paid it will just disappear id imagine.

    So like you are doing wait till 5000 (or about 1-2 weeks once the child has played with the app but is not bored of it!). when it gets close make sure you have a plan ready for the switch, i really think adverts in a forum for tech savvy parents or something would do really well for this app and might be all that you need to keep it afloat for a while. something like $50 for the advert or banner depending where you place it.

    one thing - id imagine kids learn pretty fast and so the parents would not need to switch it on for them each time - in which case the menu buttons could be less-web like and larger/rounder for the kids?

    nice job though it looks like a solid app description, and screenshot choices and useful app - wish you the best of luck and would be interested in how things turn out/what you do
  • GannuscioGannuscio Member Posts: 36
    Thanks for the advice, it is greatly appreciated. I based this strategy on what I believe the previous owner of MathZee did for the two following games:

    Piggy Math: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/piggy-hd-math-kindergarten/id387591056?mt=8

    Math Shapes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-shapes/id409670290?mt=8

    We have owned it for roughly 3 months but the company has been around for almost a year. There has been a steady amount of income flowing in at a nice rate on these two apps and it hasn't dropped off at all.
  • mangaroomangaroo Member Posts: 419
    it might be worth considering not only number but the length of time between keeping it free and switching to paid as well for those other games - especially without other marketing right? since word of mouth is only as good when people actually talk!. do you remember how long it took to reach 5000-free on either of those previous apps?

    when you switched to paid did you do any promotion for those games? or did you wait till a certain publicity level was reached such as whats apple playing or a certain ranking in appropriate categories? (to ensure its still noticeable)

    perhaps consider sending out promo codes when the app switches to paid to certain sites like parental blogs
  • GannuscioGannuscio Member Posts: 36
    Unfortunately I don't have all that info because my partner and I just purchased this company a couple months ago. I know the previous owner did change the price tag to free on both apps and it helped boost both of their sales.

    There has been 0 advertising on either game and it still has remained steady. That being said I am sure he did receive a boost based on who initially helped MathZee get off its feet. It was an internet startup that had some solid backing from some very respected people and a top 5 MBA University.

    This app will be a good learning tool for me and my partner but we still hope that it is successful so we can prove to ourselves that we can develop games ourselves instead of outsourcing.
  • mangaroomangaroo Member Posts: 419
    hmm well it seems like there is a quite a lot of potential for children educational apps and gamesalad is a great tool to use for it as its not difficult (as it could be!) to implement new ideas and so you can be as creative as you want, something kids like and need to stay interested..(although im thinking probably slightly older kids) im not sure about the really little ones learning colours and shapes..
  • GannuscioGannuscio Member Posts: 36
    I agree! Gamesalad has been awesome so far! Thanks again for all your input and I will make sure you send you a private message to let you know how the strategy plays out. I am glad to hear that you believe I was on the right track. I will take what you said and adjust my strategy accordingly! Thanks again!
  • mangaroomangaroo Member Posts: 419
    awesome Gannuscio, wish you the best of luck! buysellads.com is an interesting site as well to have a look for marketing with ads, i had a quick look for parental type sites without much luck but you may find a nice location
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