How Can You Build a Promotional Plan to Get Your App Noticed?

Getting an app noticed in crowded digital marketplaces requires much more than just launching and passively hoping users find it. You need a strategic promotional plan across multiple channels to actively drive ongoing awareness and adoption.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover proven tactics to:

• Define your target audience and core messaging
• Optimize branding and app store listings
• Leverage social media and influencer marketing
• Run effective paid ad campaigns
• Earn press coverage and reviews
• Encourage organic sharing and virality
• Analyze data to refine efforts

By coordinating these marketing initiatives, you can break through the noise to connect with highly qualified users who will love your app. Consistent promotion transforms a launch into lasting momentum. Let’s explore comprehensive strategies for app discovery!

Developing a mobile app is a significant achievement, but without a proper promotional plan, your app may get lost in the crowded app market. With millions of apps available for download, it is crucial to invest time and effort into marketing your app to ensure its success. In this article, we will explore various strategies and considerations to help you build a comprehensive promotional plan and get your app noticed.

Understanding the App Market

Before diving into the specifics of app promotion, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the app market. Conducting market research will enable you to identify your target audience, analyze competitors, and identify unique selling points for your app. By understanding the app market, you can tailor your promotional efforts to reach the right audience and stand out from the competition.

Factors to Consider When Promoting Your Mobile App

When promoting your mobile app, several factors need to be considered to maximize the effectiveness of your marketing strategy. These factors include app store optimization (ASO), influencer marketing, content marketing, and email marketing.

Developing a Marketing Strategy

Creating a Comprehensive Marketing Plan

A comprehensive marketing plan is the foundation of any successful app promotion. It outlines the goals, target audience, and strategies to achieve them. The plan should include a detailed timeline, budget allocation, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your marketing efforts.

Utilizing App Store Optimization (ASO)

App Store Optimization (ASO) is the process of optimizing your app store listing to improve its visibility and ranking in the app stores’ search results. It involves optimizing your app’s title, description, keywords, and screenshots to increase your app’s chances of being discovered by potential users.

Implementing Influencer Marketing

Utilizing influencer marketing can significantly boost your app’s visibility. Collaborating with influencers in your niche allows you to tap into their existing audience and leverage their credibility and influence to promote your app. Consider partnering with influencers who align with your app’s target audience for maximum impact.

Utilizing Content Marketing

Content marketing is a powerful strategy to engage and educate your audience about your app. By creating valuable and relevant content, such as blog posts, videos, and infographics, you can attract and retain users’ attention, establish your app’s authority, and generate interest in your app.

Exploring Email Marketing

Email marketing is an effective way to reach out to potential users and nurture relationships with existing app users. By building a targeted email list, you can send personalized messages, updates, and exclusive offers to encourage app downloads and engagement.

Clarifying Your Target Audience and Messaging

The foundation of an effective marketing plan is intimately understanding your ideal target users. This allows tailoring messaging that compellingly resonates. Ways to gain clarity include:

Building Detailed User Personas

Construct hypothetical personas representing your most likely users, including demographics like age, location, gender, as well as psychographics covering their interests, values, goals and pain points. Understand what motivates them.

Conducting App Store Keyword Research

Analyze the search terms and phrases people are using related to your app category in the app stores. This reveals the language and terminology resonating with users when seeking out solutions. Mirror this in messaging.

Reviewing Competitor App Messaging

Research how competitor apps position themselves through branding, messaging, app descriptions and media coverage. Determine what unique value proposition you can own vs. competitors.

Interviewing Current Power Users

Talk to existing engaged users about what attracted them originally and keeps them loyal fans. Highlight those viral hooks in your own messaging.

Running Online Surveys

Use tools like Typeform to survey your target demographic about what app capabilities or features would solve their problems or add value. Craft messaging reflecting these desires.

Reviewing Support Ticket Trends

Look for common themes in questions, complaints and feedback coming in through support channels. Use these insights to highlight your app’s strengths.

Analyzing Ratings and Reviews Sentiment

Notice keywords and concepts that come up repeatedly in positive app store ratings and reviews. Incorporate this language that is already resonating.

Truly understanding the motivations and needs of potential users allows crafting tailored messaging and positioning that compels them to give your app consideration over competitors.

Optimizing Your App Store Presence

For most users, your app store listing will be their first impression. These optimization strategies enhance conversion from browsing to installing:

Lead with Strong Benefit-Focused Messaging

Rather than focus on features, communicate the tangible benefits and transformation users will experience by using your app. Speak directly to their goals and pain points.

Develop Polished Visual Branding

Ensure your app icon, screenshots, and cover imagery quickly convey what your app is and does while establishing a polished, professional aesthetic.

Display Influential User Testimonials

Positive feedback from real users and reputable publications adds tremendous credibility. Feature prominent quotes praising your app’s value.

Craft a Compelling Explainer Video

A 1-3 minute video demo quickly engages visitors by dynamically walking through real app usage and clearly demonstrating its value.

Localize Listings for Major Markets

Provide translated app titles, descriptions, screenshots and videos tailored specifically to languages and high-opportunity countries.

Optimize with Relevant Keywords

Include target user search terms and keywords throughout your listing text and metadata to be discoverable for related searches.

Make Calls-to-Action Frictionless

The install, download, or get buttons should be obvious above the fold so users can convert seamlessly.

Optimizing your app store presence drives conversions by compelling qualified users to take action once they arrive at your page.

Growing Awareness through Social Media

Active social media marketing expands your reach by targeting followers aligned with your audience:

Running Paid Social Ads

Run advertisements on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok targeted to defined demographics with messaging relevant to those groups.

Initiating Hashtag Campaigns

Spark organic buzz and user-generated content by initiating hashtag campaigns like #LifeChangingApp that incentivize social sharing.

Hosting Exclusive Contests or Giveaways

Contests requiring users to like, follow, tag friends or post creatives drive significant social engagement. Offer relevant app-related prizes.

Posting Demo Videos

Short video teasers previewing your app’s key features help garner interest when shared across social platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Creating Promotional Social Graphics

Design infographics, carousels and shareable social images highlighting your app’s benefits and advantages users can spread.

Retargeting Previous Website Visitors

Remarket to users who visited your website but didn’t convert by promoting the app install through ads across social platforms.

Partnering with Relevant Influencers

Work with creators, bloggers and personalities who align with your target users to have them review and highlight your app.

Leveraging social platforms expands reach while organic sharing and tagging from real users generates buzz.

Building Effective Paid Advertising Campaigns

Paid ads allow precision targeting of your messaging to relevant demographics most likely to use and enjoy your app:

Targeting Based on User Profiles and Behaviors

Leveraging platforms like Facebook Ads, target your campaign to specific user interests, habits, activities, age groups and device types ideal for your app.

Testing Ad Creative and Messaging

Develop multiple versions of ad creative designs, messages and calls-to-action and set up A/B testing to see what resonates best with driving installs.

Optimizing Landing Pages for Conversions

Ensure landing pages tied to ads speak directly to your target users’ motivations and make the install action very clear and frictionless.

Retargeting Visitors Who Didn’t Convert

Remarket ads to users who previously visited your website or ads to re-engage them since they already showed initial interest.

Promoting Special In-App Events or Offers

Run time-bound campaign bursts around special promotions like pricing discounts, content unlocks or new in-app experiences.

Actively Managing and Optimizing Bids

Continuously monitor campaign cost per result data and adjust bids accordingly to balance pacing and conversion volumes.

Encouraging Positive App Store Reviews

Prompt satisfied users to leave ratings and reviews in the app store which builds credibility with potential installers.

Targeting Competitor Audiences

Strategically promote to groups aligned with competitor apps to capture conversions based on their interests.

Paid ads enable precision targeting, flexible messaging and robust data to cost-effectively drive app installs.

Landing Press Exposure through Media Outreach

Earning press coverage in relevant digital publications greatly enhances discovery while building credibility:

Researching Relevant Publications and Journalists

Identify reporters and outlets read by your target users like leading app review sites or industry news sites.

Crafting Compelling Personalized Pitches

Draft targeted pitch emails clearly explaining your app’s value in a compelling way tailored to each specific publication.

Offering Exclusive Announcements or Data

Propose giving select media outlets early exclusive access to breaking news like upcoming feature launches, usage data reports or other announcements.

Highlighting Noteworthy Milestones

Leverage milestones like major install numbers, ratings achievements, awards won or new funding as news hook angles when pitching.

Timing Outreach Around Launches and Events

Strategically align press outreach timing with app releases, feature unveilings, company news, brand collaborations or other events.

Providing Review Access and Assets

Offer free access, screenshots, videos and interviews to make writing reviews and showcases simple for reporters.

Following Up Persistently

Don’t be pushy, but do continue pitching different story ideas or newsworthy angles if initial outreach goes unanswered.

Earned media coverage builds credibility while exposing your app to new qualified audiences already engaged with publications relevant to your industry.

Activating Influencers as Brand Advocates

Influential voices on social channels, blogs and communities can become powerful amplifiers due to their audience connection:

Identifying Relevant Influencers

Find respected personalities with significant reach amongst your target users like established app reviewers, prominent bloggers or superfans.

Providing Exclusive Early Access

Give select influencers special early VIP access to app features or content in exchange for reviews, testimonials and organic usage promotion.

Recruiting Existing Power Users

Loyal existing users who love your app can become influencers by organically sharing their positive experiences through their own networks.

Requesting App Store Reviews

Proactively asking satisfied users to leave ratings and glowing reviews builds social proof for potential installers on the fence.

Offering Guest Post Opportunities

Contribute exclusive guest posts to niche blogs educating their aligned audience on your app’s value proposition and relevance to readers.

Delivering Amazing Customer Service

Influencers will take notice if you offer remarkable support, and may highlight that standout experience publicly.

Sharing Interesting Usage Data or Milestones

Report or give influencers access to interesting aggregated app usage data, user stats or growth milestones to discuss and bring more attention.

Influencers both large and small can drive viral word of mouth growth by highlighting your app authentically to their audiences.

Fueling Organic Buzz and Sharing

Satisfied users are your most powerful marketers. Ways to ignite organic growth include:

Implementing Referral Programs

Encourage referrals by providing incentives like free usage credits when existing users refer new friends who install the app.

Launching App Affiliate Programs

Let loyal users and influencers earn commissions driving new installs through unique affiliate links.

Integrating Seamless Social Sharing

Make social sharing to platforms like Facebook and Twitter frictionless directly within the app experience.

Prompting App Store Reviews

Ask satisfied users to leave honest ratings and reviews following positive experiences to inform potential new users.

Announcing New Features

Build excitement and organic sharing of your app by notifying engaged users about major feature releases or content expansions.

Running Social Contests and Activities

Keep followers engaged with regular contests requiring user-generated submissions like videos or screenshots to foster app content sharing.

Facilitating User-Generated Content

Make it easy for users to submit their own app videos, images, stories and creations to share organically.

Leverage satisfied users to voluntary spread authentic word of mouth by making referrals, reviews, and sharing quick and rewarding.

Analyzing Data to Refine Efforts

Key metrics to monitor across campaigns and channels include:

Overall Install Volume Trends

Track total daily or monthly installs to assess growth trajectories over time in response to marketing efforts.

Measuring Install Sources

Dig into attribution data to determine which initiatives and channels are driving the most installs.

Calculating Cost Per Install Metrics

Figure cost per install for each source based on marketing expenses and installs driven to shift budget toward most efficient sources.

Evaluating User Lifetime Value

Look beyond installs to calculate long-term value of users from each channel using engagement and retention data.

Reviewing Ad and Content Click-Through Rates

Notice which promotional ads, posts and content variations achieve the highest click-through rates to inform future creative.

Monitoring Social Branding Reach

For branding campaigns, track shares, tags, @mentions and hashtag volumes to gauge social reach.

Attributing Referral Sources

Attribute app installs derived from various referrers like influencers, affiliates, social shares, etc. to value partnerships.

Connecting External Marketing to In-App Actions

Tie external acquisition campaigns to downstream in-app conversions like purchases to calculate true ROI.

Consistently measure performance across initiatives to optimize where marketing time and budget should be focused and expanded.

Driving Sustained App Adoption Through Multi-Faceted Promotion

Securing visibility and generating momentum for an app requires a strategic, coordinated promotional plan across multiple channels. Relying simply on the app stores results in disappointingly slow growth.

Targeted messaging tailored to resonate with defined user groups is essential. Meet potential users where they already actively engage online by promoting across social platforms, influencer networks, press outlets, digital ads and organic communities.

Refine efforts based on performance data to double down on what works. Be flexible and adaptable. With persistent promotion across channels, a launch can become lasting momentum.

The most successful apps treat marketing as an infinite process, not a one-time event. Continual optimization and innovation is required to keep attracting installs in a crowded market long after launch.

Strategies for App Promotion

Optimizing Your App Store Listing

Optimizing your app store listing is crucial for getting your app noticed. This includes choosing an appealing app icon, writing a compelling description, selecting relevant keywords, and showcasing captivating screenshots and videos to entice potential users to download your app.

Creating a Captivating App Landing Page

In addition to your app store listing, having a captivating app landing page is essential for promoting your app. A well-designed landing page should highlight your app’s unique features, benefits, and call-to-action to encourage visitors to download your app.

Obtaining App Reviews and Ratings

Positive app reviews and ratings play a vital role in gaining user trust and attracting new users. Encourage satisfied app users to leave reviews and ratings on the app stores, as these reviews act as social proof and enhance your app’s credibility.

Engaging in Public Relations and Media Outreach

Engaging in public relations (PR) and media outreach can significantly boost your app’s visibility. Reach out to relevant media outlets, bloggers, and journalists to secure coverage and reviews for your app. This exposure can generate valuable organic traffic and increase app downloads.

Exploring Alternative App Stores

In addition to the Apple App Store and Google Play, there are several alternative app stores where you can promote your app. These app stores cater to specific niches or regions and can provide additional exposure for your app, reaching potential users who may not frequent the mainstream app stores.

Utilizing Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are powerful tools for app promotion. Leverage platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to reach your target audience, engage with users, and create buzz around your app. Regularly share updates, user testimonials, and compelling content to drive app downloads.

Implementing App Advertising Campaigns

App advertising campaigns can help drive targeted traffic to your app. Consider utilizing platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or in-app advertising networks to reach users interested in downloading apps similar to yours. Optimize your ad campaigns based on user engagement and conversion metrics to maximize your return on investment.

Promoting Your App on App Review Sites

App review sites are a valuable resource for app discovery. Research and submit your app to relevant review sites, promoting your app’s features, functionality, and benefits. Positive reviews from trusted sources can significantly increase your app’s credibility and drive downloads.

Utilizing Influencers and Brand Ambassadors

Collaborating with influencers and brand ambassadors can amplify your app’s reach and credibility. Identify influencers and ambassadors who align with your app’s target audience and develop partnerships to create sponsored content, reviews, or giveaways that promote your app to their followers.

Implementing Marketing Campaigns through Video Content

Video content is highly engaging and can effectively showcase your app’s features and benefits. Create captivating videos that demonstrate how your app solves a problem or enhances users’ lives. Share these videos on your app’s landing page, social media platforms, and video-sharing platforms such as YouTube or TikTok.

Utilizing Email and Newsletter Marketing

Email and newsletter marketing can be utilized to engage with potential app users and nurture relationships with existing users. Offer exclusive content, app updates, and special promotions to subscribers to encourage app downloads and usage.

Promoting Your App In-Store

Promoting your app in physical stores or locations related to your app’s niche can be an effective way to reach a targeted audience. Consider partnerships with relevant businesses or events to showcase your app and encourage downloads.

Engaging with LinkedIn and Facebook Groups

LinkedIn and Facebook groups provide opportunities to engage with professionals and like-minded individuals within your app’s industry. Join relevant groups, share valuable insights, and promote your app when appropriate. Engaging with these communities can lead to organic app downloads and valuable word-of-mouth recommendations.

Applying QR Code and NFC Technology

Take advantage of QR code and NFC technology to simplify app downloads and user engagement. Place QR codes or NFC tags in strategic locations, such as in-store displays or promotional materials, to provide a seamless way for users to download your app.

Key Considerations for App Marketing

Understanding the Differences Between iOS and Android App Marketing

When marketing your app, it is crucial to consider the differences between iOS and Android app marketing. The two platforms have distinct user demographics, preferences, and app store optimization strategies. Tailor your marketing efforts accordingly to maximize your app’s visibility on both platforms.

Utilizing User Demographics for Targeted Marketing

Understanding your app’s target audience demographics allows you to create targeted marketing campaigns. Analyze user data, including age, location, interests, and behavior, to tailor your promotional messages and advertising efforts to resonate with your ideal users.

Exploring App Monetization Strategies

App monetization is an important consideration in your promotional plan. Explore different monetization strategies, such as in-app purchases, subscriptions, or advertisements, to generate revenue from your app. Choose a strategy that aligns with your app’s value proposition and user experience.

Conclusion

Building a promotional plan is crucial to get your app noticed and increase downloads and user engagement. By understanding the app market, developing a comprehensive marketing strategy, and implementing various app promotion strategies, you can effectively reach your target audience and achieve the desired success for your app. Remember to adapt your promotional plan based on user feedback and market trends to continuously improve your app’s performance and visibility.

FAQ for Building a Promotional Plan to Get Your App Noticed

1. How can I effectively define my target audience and core messaging?

Understanding your target audience involves constructing detailed user personas, conducting app store keyword research, reviewing competitor app messaging, interviewing current power users, running online surveys, reviewing support ticket trends, and analyzing ratings and reviews sentiment. This comprehensive approach helps you gain clarity on the motivations and needs of potential users, allowing you to tailor messaging that resonates with them effectively.

2. What are some key strategies for optimizing my app store presence?

To optimize your app store presence, lead with strong benefit-focused messaging, develop polished visual branding, display influential user testimonials, craft a compelling explainer video, localize listings for major markets, optimize with relevant keywords, and make calls-to-action frictionless. These strategies enhance conversion from browsing to installing by compelling qualified users to take action once they arrive at your page.

3. How can I utilize social media to grow awareness of my app?

Active social media marketing expands your reach by running paid social ads, initiating hashtag campaigns, hosting exclusive contests or giveaways, posting demo videos, creating promotional social graphics, retargeting previous website visitors, and partnering with relevant influencers. Leveraging social platforms expands reach, while organic sharing and tagging from real users generate buzz.

4. What are some effective strategies for building and implementing paid advertising campaigns?

Effective paid advertising campaigns involve targeting based on user profiles and behaviors, testing ad creative and messaging, optimizing landing pages for conversions, retargeting visitors who didn’t convert, promoting special in-app events or offers, actively managing and optimizing bids, encouraging positive app store reviews, and targeting competitor audiences. These strategies enable precision targeting, flexible messaging, and robust data to drive app installs cost-effectively.

5. How can I land press exposure through media outreach?

To land press exposure, research relevant publications and journalists, craft compelling personalized pitches, offer exclusive announcements or data, highlight noteworthy milestones, time outreach around launches and events, provide review access and assets, and follow up persistently. Earned media coverage builds credibility while exposing your app to new qualified audiences already engaged with publications relevant to your industry.

6. What are some effective ways to activate influencers as brand advocates?

Activating influencers involves identifying relevant influencers, providing exclusive early access, recruiting existing power users, requesting app store reviews, offering guest post opportunities, delivering amazing customer service, and sharing interesting usage data or milestones. Influencers both large and small can drive viral word-of-mouth growth by highlighting your app authentically to their audiences.

7. How can I fuel organic buzz and sharing for my app?

Fueling organic buzz involves implementing referral programs, launching app affiliate programs, integrating seamless social sharing, prompting app store reviews, announcing new features, running social contests and activities, and facilitating user-generated content. Leverage satisfied users to voluntarily spread authentic word-of-mouth by making referrals, reviews, and sharing quick and rewarding.

8. What key metrics should I analyze to refine my promotional efforts?

Key metrics to monitor include overall install volume trends, install sources, cost per install metrics, user lifetime value, ad and content click-through rates, social branding reach, referral sources, and connections between external marketing and in-app actions. Consistently measure performance across initiatives to optimize where marketing time and budget should be focused and expanded.

These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of how to build a promotional plan to get your app noticed, covering strategies for defining your target audience, optimizing your app store presence, utilizing social media, implementing paid advertising campaigns, landing press exposure, activating influencers, fueling organic buzz, and analyzing data to refine efforts.