How To Pre-Launch Your App & Get 100,000 Seed Users

This past week I attended an event all about launching and scaling your business.

It was cool. Definitely had a San Francisco flair to it as most of the talks were from founders who didn't get into the details the way many of we do in the app business.

Alex talked about how he would have his dev team create a viral "mini" product leading up to the launch that could potentially go big very quickly. The goal being to aggregate as many email addresses as possible in order to "seed" his product launch.

In this video, I talk about what he did and how it worked so well for the Calm app.

What you need to know:

1. Create a mini product for your target audience that takes no more than 2 days to build. For the Calm app, Alex's team built the Do Nothing For Two Minutes website

2. Post this product on social media in front of the people you are targeting already. NOTE: this only works for apps that have a specific audience. Sorry generic gamers...

3. Fuel the fire with some highly targeted FB ads (optional)

4. Collect emails and retargeting pixel information from all visitors

5. Reach out to PR outlets and have them talk about your mini product. This is much easier to pitch than an app because it's so unique and simple.

6. Leverage all the user data you collect into launching your app.

Simple, right?

Sort of. It's important to recognize that this is not a guaranteed strategy. In fact, the odds are probably against you.

The good news, though, is that the investment is very small and the potential upside is HUGE. You can try a few different mini products to see if one hits.

One great tip from Alex is to incorporate puns or catchy titles into your marketing. This often helps products like this go viral.

My mind exploded with ideas when I heard this and I can't wait to try a few. I highly encourage any one of you to try this!

[hakan_yavuz]

what if you have a great idea that really solves some problems for people.. do you still think there is still potentiall in the app market despite there are millions of apps?

[raamjigupta]

Best found advice on pre-launch strategy till now. Awesome advice! Just one question what kind of 2 minute challenge I should give it to people if I am about to launch Tinder like social connect application?. Thanks in Advance!

[BrandonBaunach]

so basically you have to make two viral apps to make 1.

[totolicialex]

How can i market an addiction app. Like no one is searching for them

[petermendez]

It's my calling. Unique value check! Problem solver check ! If you don't do this app your inhumane...it's worth trillions ..I asked you have 1 day to reply lmk..

[petermendez]

You wanna help me change the world and make trillions I'm your guy ..I have the never heard of concept that will we win a Nobel peace prize award for psychology and medicine its the holy grail of apps it pertains to everyone lmk I'm in my way to silicone valley gonna do this with or without you...lmk