You probably invested a lot of time and money to build the best possible app for your idea. From drafting its layout to deciding its content, you paid attention to every single detail. However, in spite of all the efforts, you did not get the response that you were looking for. In most cases, this happens because businesses do not pay enough importance to the market.

The total number of apps in 2017 alone on App Store and Google Play was 5M, and it has only increased since then. This shows that there is fierce competition in the market that not all apps will be able to survive. Therefore, promoting your app has become as important as creating it. If you are not marketing it properly, you might as well not build it in the first place. In this article, we have compiled 9 creative and unconventional yet simple ways that you can use to market your app.

1. Start your work early

Start getting in touch with your customers before launching the app. Before you actually start building the app, try to reach out to your potential customers and talk to them. After all, at the end of the day, it is these people who will be using your app. You can start this by reaching out to all people who have availed your service or brought your product in the past. Send them an email and try to get their feedback through a short survey. It would be better if you incentivize the customers in return for offering you feedback. Your goal here is to understand the requirements and expectations of your customers. This will help you to bridge gaps you never knew existed. By taking the customers feedback, you are also in a way passively marketing your app. Ideally, you should keep your customers engaged through the whole process of app development.

2. Feature your app in your own blog

Most businesses maintain their own section for blog posts. When you are building the app, make sure to make use of your blog for its marketing. You can do so by doing a complete blog post announcing the launch of the app, and functions and features to look forward to. Do not forget to add a call to action (CTA) button for downloading the app.

Try to have an interesting blog post that can make your customers naturally relate to your app and its purpose. Include clear videos and screenshots from the app to make it interesting.

3. Feature your app in your emails

By now, you should know that your app has to be engraved in every aspect of marketing. As a business owner or manager, you or your company must be sending out loads of emails on a daily basis. This is the easiest and cheapest marketing technique for you. What you can simply do is include a footer in your emails to advertise your app. Do not forget to include this footnote in all kinds of future newsletters and customer service emails.

4. Create a demo video for your app

Demos are easy and attractive way to catch the user’s attention. Create simple and short demo videos of your products explaining the why’s, what’s and how’s of your app. Your app development company can also offer you packages inclusive of this video. For example, the app development company, AppVerticals provides teams for video development. You should be launching a new demo video in regular intervals, e.g., every 3 or 4 weeks. Make sure to include your video in your blog, on Social Media, YouTube and emails.

5. Explore different launching platforms

Do not just stick to the app store and google play; there are a few other platforms which you can consider. A few of these uncommon app stores include GetJar, SlideMe, AppsLib, AppBrain, and Amazon Appstore.

6. Participate in-app awards

Be sure to apply for app awards. This is one of the highly recommended marketing techniques here. It will help you to get a lot of press and Media attention and hence a number of downloads. Even if you do not win the award, it will give you a lot of exposure and chances for improvement. Some app awards include appCircus competition, the webby awards, apply awards, best app ever awards, etc.

7. Build your visibility on social media

Increase your visibility on social media and professional websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and LinkedIn. Join relevant groups on social media and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs on social media. Be open to collecting feedback about your app. In this way, you will also be able to build great professional relationships and work out for collaborations later on.

8. Consider App Store Optimization (ASO)

ASO is like SEO for app websites. Like SEO, it is based on keyword and search relevance. The way you find spam websites and services on social media, for example, AirG spam, the same way there are spam applications on app store too.  Since most people find an app by searching it in the search bar, your app description should be optimized.  If you keep your app listing optimized, you will probably be able to attract a large number of customers easily.

9. Feature your app on mobile app review sites

To get yourself reviewed on a Mobile App Review site, you will have to send them a pitch. Through your pitch, you will have to convince them that your app is good enough to be featured. This will also give you an opportunity to work on your weak areas. Make sure that all of your graphics are in high quality, your content is original and unique, and your app has no technical glitches.

If you do get your app reviewed, you will easily be able to capitalize it. For a safe side, always keep your media kit ready before doing the featuring work. A media kit will include a press release, a summary guide, design elements (icons, logos, banners), and videos.

About Michelle Joe: Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on twitter: @michellejoe524