Being a successful developer

coolboy

I have an app on the iOS App Store called wack an alien. It have been up for about 2 weeks but I have only 9 downloads. I was wondering if there are any tips or tricks to advertising or any tips on how to improve my specific app

Braydon_SFX

The App Store is not like it use to be a year or two ago. Back then devs like you and me had a much better chance of getting noticed, or even getting much more sales. It really depends on luck, really. Making a great app is of course required, but it's hard to get noticed. I mostly try to release Free games with ads and IAP to collect some cash.

Also, sending out Press Releases is probably a smart move. Send the game to as many review sites as possible to expose it.

iamcartez

Yes.. as well as some social marketing on Twitter will definitely help. If you do not mind, can you me your app link and I can post it on my twitter tonight during the #NBAFinals... #GoSpurs...

#PlayRateRetweet is my test campaign and it has helped my lame little app get over 2000 downloads (free) and 15 (paid)...

https://twitter.com/IndieMobileApps

I can tweet whatever you want along with your iTunes link, keep it under 120 characters though.

LoungeGames

You should submit your game for reviews and coverage on blogs and also go to a lot of conventions.

RP

Honestly it looks as though it could use a lot of improvement. There is a plethora of free titles out there similar to your game with much more polish.

I would polish this more before submitting this to sites and to be honest again, many sites are going to overlook this due to the limited functionality/design of the game.

If you have the resources/capital, use paid marketing. Even smaller review sites and App showcase sites want some type of compensation. Sending an app out on its own and wishing for success, will likely be disappointing. There are free methods out there, but realistically if you want it to get noticed and be successful, look into hiring a marketer. With the way the AppStore has flooded, it's going to hard to get noticed by the audience your shooting for otherwise.

Showing you game at larger conventions cost a lot of money. However, there are independent groups that showcase games at the events. You could submit this to them, however they do generally have fees (because they have to pay for floor space). Smaller entrainment/electronic conventions are almost non-existant these days, check with your local convention center to get info on related expos and costs for show floor/booth space.

lewisone

Yeah, the people that make money in my experience are the ones that are doing something very different and original. The problem with this platform is everyone is knocking off other games in the market and not doing anything truly original. If your intent is to make money or distribute high numbers on a game I would make a totally original game and market the hell out of it like any other business would... I tell people all the time that it is 100% marketing and 0% talent, quality, taste, and skill. lol, well almost.

PBEmpire

With over 900k apps now, it is really difficult to get noticed

dwibre

Just a quick tip, try changing your screen shots, I rarely read the text under them if the screen shots don't grab me & from your screen shots I could not tell what you have to do in the game.

contrasthall

What you're not a millionaire yet? just kidding. Here's the best advice i can give you and my latest mindset ...ready....here it goes free of charge. If you made a game that was so great that you would get a tattoo of your main character, or plaster ads all over your car telling people they have to play this "not so you can get money but just because its that awesome and your that proud to be associated with it". why you say? because as a developer every app is not just a app, it has to be a complete business, it needs complete marketing and even if you are the only creator you are all of that businesseseseses employees. free sales better, even angry betters had a free version people are on edge when it comes to give up their .99 cents...

oh yeah and even if you are the only "employee" as i said that still means you have 50 jobs, marketing, graphic designer <- very important people shop with their eyes and apple judges you by every aspect of perfection you better have if you ever think they will feature you. so if you release a demo and a 1000 people play it and love it and you have been marketing out the wazzoo and you have a banner of your house telling people your game is launching and youre in the news paper showing off your tattoo for your game release and you still only get 9 downloads....then somethings up. good luck.

imGua

@coolboy, if you want honest answer than read my post. If you don't then don't read it.

Your icon is bad, your graphics is bad, your gameplay is over simplistic. Some people call apps like this a crap. There is thousands of free apps, that is better than wack an alien. That's the reason for 9 downloads. I would suggest you not to waste time on press releases or submitting an app to app review sites, cause they will not review your app. It's better for you to start making new app and increase you'r game developing skills.