My Vintage Kitschen

I’m here at Conor O’Neil’s in Ann Arbor today at the LA2M to hear Henry Balanon (@balanon) talk about successful iPhone app development. Henry’s company, Bickbot, develops apps, so he knows what’s up when it comes to the App Store.

• PURPOSE: Do that and nothing else (decide on app’s purpose); Better app> Fast to Market

• DESIRABILITY: Want to create an app that you will want to show off to your friends
• APPLE: Make Apple like your app and the Apple will tell the people to like your app
• AWARDS: Apply for an ADA
• PROMO: Focus on Apple’s feature push-list
• PROMO: Hacker tip: Took a Facebook ad targeted at Apple employees (smart!). Make a promo/walk-through video to share
• PRESS: Don’t try and market your app to everyone; make sure it’s relevant and then start to go after press and spread the word. Beyond that, target specific writers based on what your app is all about. Think about an appropriate timeline for contacting press (usually about a week before launch). Follow up with press right after your launch and contact with writers. Stay on their radar. Include screenshots of the app, or a link to a web site that does. If possible, invite them to be a beta tester. Let them interview your developers. Don’t make them pay for the app
• APPROVAL: Most apps are approved by Apple within 14 days
• ABGT: “Always be getting testimonials”
• MISC.: Make your app available in other languages (descriptions, etc.); Make sure the name of your app is attractive; Make sure the icon is cool
• IN-APP ADVERTISING: Something to think