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      1 page.title=Build Buzz
      2 page.image=/distribute/images/build-buzz.jpg
      3 page.metaDescription=Generate interest and demand for your app. Here are some ways to help users find, download, and install your apps.
      4 page.tags="users, growth, promotion"
      5 
      6 @jd:body
      7 
      8 <div class="figure">
      9   <img src="{@docRoot}distribute/images/build-buzz.jpg">
     10 </div>
     11 
     12 <p>
     13   With more apps published each week in Google Play, building  buzz
     14   around your own apps helps them get noticed and makes it easier for
     15   users to find and download them.
     16 </p>
     17 
     18 <p>
     19   Building buzz doesnt have a single formula. The tools and techniques
     20   described here have worked for other developers, but finding the right mix
     21   will depend on your apps, your audience, and your competition. And dont be
     22   afraid to try something different or quirky, taking a risk could pay big
     23   dividends.
     24 </p>
     25 
     26 
     27   <h2 id="link-to-your-apps">
     28     Link to Your Apps in Google Play
     29   </h2>
     30 
     31 <p>
     32   After publishing your apps, you can take Android users directly to your
     33   app/games detail page on Google Play by <a href=
     34   "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html">providing links</a> in your
     35   social network posts, ad campaigns, app reviews and articles, your website,
     36   and more.
     37 </p>
     38 
     39 <p>
     40   You can also link to:
     41 </p>
     42 
     43 <ul>
     44   <li>A <a href=
     45   "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html#OpeningPublisher">list</a>
     46   of all of your apps
     47   </li>
     48 
     49   <li>A Google Play <a href=
     50   "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html#PerformingSearch">search
     51   result</a>
     52   </li>
     53 
     54   <li>A <a href=
     55   "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html#OpeningCollection">collection</a>
     56   on Google Play
     57   </li>
     58 </ul>
     59 
     60   <h2 id="use-the-google-play-badge">
     61     Use the Google Play Badge
     62   </h2>
     63 
     64 <div class="figure" style="margin:0 3em;">
     65   <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-build-buzz-uplift-1.png">
     66 </div>
     67 
     68 <p>
     69   <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/badges.html">Google Play
     70   badges</a> are an especially great way let Android users know that your apps
     71   are available and link them directly to your Google Play page. Users are more
     72   likely to download and trust your apps and games when the Google Play badge
     73   is used.
     74 </p>
     75 
     76 <p>Badge your
     77   websites, collateral, and ad campaigns. With the badge generator, they're
     78   also easy to make and available in multiple languages.
     79 </p>
     80 
     81 <div class="headerLine" style="clear:both">
     82   <h2 id="cross-promote-from-your-other-apps">
     83     Cross-Promote from Your Other Apps
     84   </h2>
     85 
     86 
     87 </div>
     88 
     89 <div class="figure-right">
     90   <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-buzz-1.jpg">
     91   <p class="img-caption">
     92     Cross-promoting related apps.
     93   </p>
     94 </div>
     95 
     96 <p>
     97   Cross promoting, or house ads, is a great cost effective way to get users to
     98   try out new titles. Be sure that your house ad is unobtrusive and presented
     99   at a time convenient for users to leave your apps and try out your new title.
    100   Also, be sure to include logic that allows users to dismiss the ad and
    101   control if they will be asked again later.
    102 </p>
    103 
    104 <p>
    105   Consider using free AdMob <a href=
    106   "https://support.google.com/admob/v2/answer/3210452?hl=en#subid=us-en-et-dac">
    107   house ads</a> within your apps to create awareness and promote your entire
    108   portfolio of apps. When launching new apps, an easy way to quickly attract
    109   users is to promote directly to your existing customers.
    110 </p>
    111 
    112 <div class="headerLine">
    113   <h2 id="hold-a-contest">
    114     Hold a Contest
    115   </h2>
    116 
    117 
    118 </div>
    119 
    120 <p>
    121   Contests can be a great way to engage your users. If you have a game, hold a
    122   tournament and promote it through your marketing channels. Use Google Play
    123   Games APIs for leaderboards and achievements to stimulate competition. Some
    124   app developers have provided prizes for creative uses of an app or social
    125   engagement. For example, a photo app developer can hold a photo contest.
    126 </p>
    127 
    128 <p>
    129   But be sure youre complying with the appropriate legal requirements in your
    130   country and provide a clear set of terms and conditions, accessible online.
    131   Dont let a lack of attention to detail spoil a great marketing opportunity.
    132 </p>
    133 
    134 <div class="headerLine">
    135   <h2 id="leverage-pr">
    136     Leverage PR
    137   </h2>
    138 
    139 
    140 </div>
    141 
    142 <p>
    143   Public Relations outreach can be a valuable marketing initiative. Many
    144   developers use PR to announce new features in their apps or games, which, in
    145   turn, builds demand for the updated release when it comes out. You can also
    146   provide early copies of your app or game for the press to review, and publish
    147   their reviews when the app or game launches.
    148 </p>
    149 
    150 <div class="headerLine">
    151   <h2 id="use-social-media">
    152     Use Social Media
    153   </h2>
    154 
    155 
    156 </div>
    157 
    158 <p>
    159   Social media is your opportunity to build promotion for your apps. Start with
    160   your own channels: update users on your plans before launch, announce your
    161   launch, and talk about progress after launch (downloads, new features, and
    162   alike.) Then expand by encouraging your users to forward and share your
    163   posts.
    164 </p>
    165 
    166 <p>
    167   Take advantage of bloggers. Look for bloggers that cover Android and learn
    168   what interest them. Remember to look locally as well as globally, gaining a
    169   local following can be a great springboard to global success. When youve
    170   selected a target group of bloggers focus on them by sending details of your
    171   apps and free versions if the apps are priced. Follow up and ask them to
    172   review your apps. A review on the right blog is a great promotion.
    173 </p>
    174 
    175 <div class="headerLine">
    176   <h2 id="publish-youtube-videos">
    177     Publish YouTube Videos
    178   </h2>
    179 
    180 
    181 </div>
    182 
    183 <div class="center-img" style="padding-top:1em;">
    184   <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-build-buzz-yt.png">
    185 </div>
    186 
    187 <p>
    188   YouTube videos are now an essential part of building buzz. Use them to
    189   showcase your apps feature. Remember to do this before, at, and after
    190   launch. Taking users on a journey through the development of your apps can be
    191   a great way to drive downloads at launch.
    192 </p>
    193 
    194 <div class="headerLine">
    195   <h2 id="advertise">
    196     Advertise
    197   </h2>
    198 
    199 
    200 </div>
    201 
    202 <div class="figure">
    203   <img src="{@docRoot}images/google/gps-ads.png" style="width:340px">
    204 </div>
    205 
    206 <p>
    207   Advertise your app in other apps to increase downloads. There are many tools
    208   to help you target the right users for your apps and games. You can use
    209   <a href=
    210   "http://www.google.com/ads/admob/promote.html#subid=us-en-et-dac">AdMob</a>
    211   to drive installs of your app at a target cost-per-acquisition (CPA). You
    212   also get free house ads for your own app. <a href=
    213   "https://apps.admob.com/admob/signup?subid=us-en-et-dac&_adc=ww-ww-et-admob2&hl=en">
    214   Sign up for an AdMob account</a> to get started.
    215 </p>
    216 
    217 <div class="headerLine" style="clear:both">
    218   <h2 id="maximize-your-marketing-spend">
    219     Maximize your Marketing Spend
    220   </h2>
    221 
    222 
    223 </div>
    224 
    225 <div class="figure" style="margin: 0 3em;">
    226   <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-build-buzz-uplift-2.png" style="">
    227 </div>
    228 
    229 <p>
    230   Maximize buzz and leverage the halo effect of cross-platform, multimedia,
    231   simultaneous launches.
    232 </p>
    233 
    234 <p><strong>Developers who launch on multiple platforms at
    235   the same time have received a 10-20% uplift.</strong>If youre spending money
    236   to advertise your launch or spending effort on press, shipping on multiple
    237   platforms simultaneously helps you maximize your return on investment.
    238 </p>
    239 
    240 <div class="headerLine" style="clear:both">
    241   <h2 id="related-resources">
    242     Related Resources
    243   </h2>
    244 
    245 
    246 </div>
    247 
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