By Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Apps are the hot new thing.

And while they’re not exactly the same as books, they have one big thing in common… there are so many of them, it’s hard to find any particular one.

A few years ago when I came out with my app Lula’s Brew, it was early in the game and she was pretty easy to find. Sadly, that is no longer the case. And the iTunes search engine really doesn’t help.

So, how can you get your app found? Just as with books, you have to look at alternative paths than just posting it in iTunes.

Here at Cynsations, I’ve talked about “Marketing – the Snowball Effect” and building a platform from day one, so that when you have a product to sell, you have an already established audience eager to support you. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to advertise.

Of course, in this age, word-of-mouth means blogs, twitter, email, facebook, YouTube, etc. And those are your next best bet. Shout about your app from the hilltops! But to avoid being obnoxious, try to give back while you do it. Offer a giveaway, free lesson plans, puzzles, support materials – anything that might tie in with your app that you can give away for free.

Make sure you have a link to buy your app on your website or blog. (Sounds obvious but…)

Send your app to the myriad of new app reviewers, like the biggie, Moms with Apps. Offer a few free download codes in exchange. It’s how Lula’s Brew was downloaded over 7,000 times in two days! (Over 10,000 total.)

Guest post on other blogs (like this!). Cynthia was kind enough to let me promote by offering her readers some free content about marketing! But she’s not the only one.

Lots of bloggers are looking for content to share on their blogs. Ask a few if you can be a guest blogger or if they mind hosting you on a Blog APP Tour (rather than a Blog Book Tour).

Finally, accost everybody you see with a smart phone and make them download your app. Okay, maybe not. But do be proactive. Because if you don’t sell your app, nobody will, and it will quickly disappear into the deep app sea.

About Lula’s Brew

Lula’s Aunties want her to be a witch like them. But Lula prefers to study cookbooks rather than spellbooks (and hates to fly on a broom). Lula wants to be a famous chef. In desperation, the Aunties insist she try to make one last potion. Lula secretly adds her cooking flair and in true witchy fashion creates a brew that bewitches the entire town, and her Aunties too! Download the iPad app. Also now available as a .pdf, on the Nook color, and Kindle.

See also Elizabeth O. Dulemba on “Marketing – the Snowball Effect” from Cynsations.