 |
|
 |
|
 |
02-24-2009, 12:20 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 405
|
Promotional contact list?
Can anybody point me to a good "promotional contact list"?
That is, a list of the most prominent, influential, widely-read, etc. relevant:
- Magazines (offline/online)
- Editors
- Writers/Columnists
- Bloggers
- Review sites
etc. etc. etc. who cover iPhone apps?
Surely, somebody has collected this. (Now, are they willing to give it away for free, though?)
I'd also be interested in sources of traditional media contacts.
Being new to both iPhone development and Apple, the list doesn't just roll off the top of my head. Heck, other than MacWorld, I couldn't even name one other Mac magazine...
Experience with PR agencies? Cost? Are there "boutique" agencies that deal with iPhone apps? Any good?
I'm really afraid of the idea leaking, though, so I prefer to do the PR myself. I won't do any advance publicity - no embargo is worth the bits it's printed on. I know my app will be duplicated, so it's a matter of maximizing the time it is exclusive.
Should I try to stand-out by mailing some little tchotchka related to the app, or at least making the mailing stand-out. (Yes, I plan on using the "obsolete" postal service. I think it gets more attention than an email.) Anyone have any experience with this? I get the idea that bloggers love tchotchkas. But are traditional journalists insulted by them? (I should stress that if I do this, it will be a low-value tchotchka - I won't be bribing anyone with an iPhone pre-loaded with my app, or some-such. That is likely to get coverage, but the wrong kind...)
|
|
|
|
02-26-2009, 03:39 AM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2
|
I started a list...
|
|
|
|
|
02-26-2009, 07:17 AM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: England
Posts: 45
|
Nice list, SmilingOgre. Thanks 
|
|
|
|
|
02-26-2009, 10:18 AM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,649
|
Good idea to list them out like this; I'll go through it later and see if I can add any. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
02-26-2009, 11:00 AM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
|
Taking Baby Steps...
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Denver
Posts: 37
|
Here's another site you can submit to:
Just Another iPhone Blog
Disclaimer: I write for JAiB, but the contacts go to Patrick who runs the site.
|
|
|
|
|
03-15-2009, 06:49 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 141
|
Last edited by ThirtyOne; 03-15-2009 at 06:57 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
03-23-2009, 02:46 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 11
|
FWIW, iphoneapps.co.uk hasn't shown anything new since Sept 2008. I'd consider it dead.
|
|
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 09:29 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 141
|
|
|
|
|
|
04-01-2009, 10:36 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 11
|
I'm curious how many people have experienced the "oh we got your promo code and now we'll review your app for only $x..." syndrome.
If you're going to basically charge for reviews, make that clear up front so we can go ahead and give one of our scarce promo codes to someone who will genuinely do something with it, not just sit on it. I can't drop $50 per review on every review site out there. I'd rather send my app to honest bloggers who really care about what they're writing, not just writing thinly-concealed ads.
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 05:05 AM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 7
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by XenonofArcticus
I'm curious how many people have experienced the "oh we got your promo code and now we'll review your app for only $x..." syndrome.
|
If this is somewhat a prominent phenomenon, perhaps it calls for a black-list of "reviewers"?
|
|
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 11:02 AM
|
#11 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 11
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsable
If this is somewhat a prominent phenomenon, perhaps it calls for a black-list of "reviewers"?
|
I suspect _I_ may already be blacklisted the other way for mentioning the situation.
|
|
|
|
|
04-18-2009, 04:02 PM
|
#12 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 239
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by XenonofArcticus
I'm curious how many people have experienced the "oh we got your promo code and now we'll review your app for only $x..." syndrome.
If you're going to basically charge for reviews, make that clear up front so we can go ahead and give one of our scarce promo codes to someone who will genuinely do something with it, not just sit on it. I can't drop $50 per review on every review site out there. I'd rather send my app to honest bloggers who really care about what they're writing, not just writing thinly-concealed ads.
|
Is this common? Can you let me know who does this? I don't want to waste my promo codes either.
|
|
|
|
|
04-19-2009, 06:35 PM
|
#13 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 5
|
Don't forget the all important
Toucharcade
148apps
__________________
Edmond Cha
www.Appular.com
iPhone Marketing and Public Relations
|
|
|
|
|
04-20-2009, 02:01 AM
|
#14 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 239
|
ilounge.com
|
|
|
|
|
04-21-2009, 02:46 PM
|
#15 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 11
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rpstro02
Is this common? Can you let me know who does this? I don't want to waste my promo codes either.
|
Honestly, I've lost track of who did. It would be an interesting experiment for someone publishing a brand-new app to submit it to all the review sites and see what response you got from each. HEY APPLE! It sure would be nice to be able to determine which promo codes were never used, and be able to re-issue expired codes that never got redeemed.
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2009, 02:35 PM
|
#16 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1
|
The Great iPhone Application Directory List
|
|
|
|
|
05-19-2009, 09:32 PM
|
#18 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 7
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeradhill
|
Jerad - given the question that's been asked above by several posters you might have mentioned that you charge for varying levels of video demo and 'featured' coverage at your site. The more money that is paid, the more an app is featured. This is openly stated on this page at your site.
AppCraver is another site listed above that charges for reviews, and for 'expedited' reviews.
Both sites are up front on their policies and don't try to hide them, so to each their own I guess.
My approach is that this is something I would not feel at all good about, it's not the way I want to do things. In fact, I'm part of a group of sites that takes a clear stance against accepting pay for coverage or reviews. It's called OATS (Organization for App Testing Standards) - 148 Apps i one fo the founding members - and I believe the principles are good, solid ones.
My site, as mentioned above is Just Another iPhone Blog, by the way ...
|
|
|
|
|
05-19-2009, 09:34 PM
|
#19 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 7
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickj
Jerad - given the question that's been asked above by several posters you might have mentioned that you charge for varying levels of video demo and 'featured' coverage at your site. The more money that is paid, the more an app is featured. This is openly stated on this page at your site.
AppCraver is another site listed above that charges for reviews, and for 'expedited' reviews.
Both sites are up front on their policies and don't try to hide them, so to each their own I guess.
My approach is that this is something I would not feel at all good about, it's not the way I want to do things. In fact, I'm part of a group of sites that takes a clear stance against accepting pay for coverage or reviews. It's called OATS (Organization for App Testing Standards) - 148 Apps i one fo the founding members - and I believe the principles are good, solid ones.
My site, as mentioned above is Just Another iPhone Blog, by the way ... |
Oh, and for info on OATS, what it stands for, and who are its members see:
Got O.A.T.S.? - Organization for App Testing Standards - iPhone and iPod Touch Application Review Ethics
|
|
|
|
|
05-20-2009, 10:13 AM
|
#20 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtara
Can anybody point me to a good "promotional contact list"?
That is, a list of the most prominent, influential, widely-read, etc. relevant:
........
etc. etc. etc. who cover iPhone apps?
Surely, somebody has collected this. (Now, are they willing to give it away for free, though?)
I'd also be interested in sources of traditional media contacts.
Being new to both iPhone development and Apple, the list doesn't just roll off the top of my head. Heck, other than MacWorld, I couldn't even name one other Mac magazine...
Experience with PR agencies? Cost? Are there "boutique" agencies that deal with iPhone apps? Any good? |
jtara,
Great question. There are some nice lists of sites posted here. It looks like you are ready and willing to go through the effort to roll your own marketing.
But, you ask about boutique agencies - we are one such agency. Check us out at bootcampmobile.com. We believe our experience will allow developers to focus on building "great" apps and we can handle all the marketing to maximize the revenue.
We also have brand and agency clients who are looking to license a yet to be released product - which gives up front license fees to the developer before an app even launches!
I don't want to go on too much and violate the integrity of these forums.
Just wanted people to know that firms exist to help market your app, and there are other options than just putting the app in the iTunes store and delivering to app review sites.
Good luck!
mark
tw: @bootcampmobile
NOTE: We are always on the lookout for good developers to add to our developer network too.
|
|
|
|
|
05-20-2009, 12:57 PM
|
#21 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 44
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by XenonofArcticus
I'm curious how many people have experienced the "oh we got your promo code and now we'll review your app for only $x..." syndrome.
|
That's the only reply I ever got, and I tried submitting several applications to several blogs, including iphonealley, appstoreapps, appcraver, and possibly others which I don't recall. Of course the really big ones, like Gizmodo or Engadget simply don't answer.
I even tried doing an ad in response to one of those email. I tracked carefully the sales before the ad, during and after, I plotted the ad hit numbers as reported by the blog and my sales, and found absolutely zero correlation. The ads simply had no effect.
My conclusion is that the app related blogosphere is way too crowded, just like the app store, and the impact each blog has is minimal. I guess to really have an impact you need to have an ad with on of the big blogs. The issue is that AppStore prices don't make it economical to advertise. It's hard to justify a $0.1 per hit price when the App costs $0.99 and only in the wildest dreams you'll get a conversion rate that is better than 1 to 10.
|
|
|
|
|
07-13-2009, 02:42 PM
|
#23 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 144
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahaley
I will review anyone's app for free, no strings attached. |
I couldn't find a "Contact Sara" link anywhere on that page... how should we get in touch with you about our apps?
|
|
|
|
|
07-15-2009, 04:29 AM
|
#24 (permalink)
|
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 212
|
Share your promo codes at PromoDispenser.com!
You can register as a developer and post info about your game and upload as many promo codes as you want to our database.
Users will be able to get your code automatically, but only one code within 24 hours for one user.
It's a nice way to promote your game! You don't have to post your codes on forums.
http://promodispenser.com
__________________
Share your promo codes automatically in a controlled environment and get 100% reviews at PromoDispenser
Last edited by Hunnenkoenig; 07-15-2009 at 04:50 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
07-15-2009, 05:31 AM
|
#25 (permalink)
|
|
New Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 44
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunnenkoenig
Share your promo codes at PromoDispenser.com!
You can register as a developer and post info about your game and upload as many promo codes as you want to our database.
Users will be able to get your code automatically, but only one code within 24 hours for one user.
It's a nice way to promote your game! You don't have to post your codes on forums.
Promo Dispenser |
Nice work. You took my idea and expanded on it, good.
A few notes though:
- Why limit to games, make the form suitable for any app, with games being one category.
- You could get all the information you are asking in your app submission form automatically from the appstore based solely on the app name - with the exception of the promotion codes of course - saving the developer the work, just a nicety...
- Why developers can't claim codes? We are the best users ;-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Advertisements |
|
» Online Users: 478 |
| 49 members and 429 guests |
| bbc z, beginer2007, belliott, Bitzal, cordoprod, CunningCat, DanielNovy, DaveHolzer, davidloew, dre, ebohdas, FlukeDude, harrytheshark, healthyutech, hermonir, hobbyCoder, howcr, IphoneSdk, isley, jaywright00, jbullfrog, JonnyBGoode, Juliaan, Kalimba, kieran12, lukeca, melmoup, MiniRobinho, mJusticz, Mopedhead, mrarick, mriphoneman, nDev1, norskben, paul84, psilocybin, rahulskh, Robyn, ronm3xico, ryguy2503, scleland, Straathond, swissmade, tidyguy, tpuser, upperhouse, vikinara, xslim, zackattack |
| Most users ever online was 779, 05-11-2009 at 09:55 AM. |
|
» Stats |
Members: 23,966
Threads: 38,751
Posts: 170,022
Top Poster: smasher (2,560)
|
| Welcome to our newest member, cruisetom |
|
