iPhone Game Development - Chris Craft [156]
Tip
Sending screen shots along with “press releases” to blogs and sites that cover iPhone-related news is a great way of promoting your app before it's released.
FIGURE 10.32
Password Generator's primary screen shot on the App Store
Summary
In this chapter you learned a great deal about the business of software. You should now have a basic understanding of how to take advantage of the information and statistics in your applications' App Store reports. You should also understand more about how application size and price affect your sales. You are aware of how parental controls like app ratings and the device's restriction settings can block your application from being bought, and you realize how important quality control is to the ultimate success of your app.
You have learned how supply and demand control your application's sales. You know where to find help on the Apple developer forums, and you know how to promote your application using promo codes and contests. You've also learned about many of the new features of the iPhone 3GS, iPhone OS 3.0, and iPhone SDK 3.0.
You've become familiar with the important role that keywords play in App Store search engine optimization. You also know how critical a great App Store application description is. You have reviewed how an application that is on sale can be a powerful influence on consumers. And you know how to show off your application using videos. You are aware of App Store application categories and approval times. You should realize users enjoy cinematic experiences on their device and want to be surprised and delighted often.
Finally, you've learned that great marketing is as important as having a great app. You should try to take advantage of every opportunity you have to market your application. This includes social networking, in-app marketing, in-app advertising, screen shots, videos, and blogs. This also includes making sure you have a lite version of your application. You understand how to further grow your application revenue by taking advantage of In App Purchases.
You should now be fully prepared to unleash your ideas on the App Store. Remember, some apps are created great, others have greatness thrust upon them, and the rest have to work for it. There is an expression that describes this perfectly: Most people find it takes years of hard work and perseverance to become an overnight success. But when it does finally happen, it can be extraordinary. Hang in there. It really can happen. Work hard—and then enjoy the benefits!
Epilogue: Looking Ahead
Many consider the iPhone a revolutionary device—and it is, if you look at the whole package. But if you look at each piece individually, you will find that the iPhone is not the first device to attempt to become the “keystone” device—the device that people carry with them everywhere and always look to first. But today it looks like the iPhone is on the track to achieving this goal. The iPhone is the first device that combined a plethora of existing technologies into one device and coupled them with a user experience like no other. This tells you what most people already think. The iPhone is cool, awesome, and all those things that attracted you to it in the first place. However, it also tells you that we can step back and look at the industry to find what lies down the road.
To travel this road at a pace necessary to keep up, you will need to refine your skills. You have to become proficient at iPhone development so you can crank out new products and features as the platform moves forward.
Understand that the platform is always moving forward. Build and layer your solutions in a way that you can quickly and easily change and add features as necessary. You may have a great app today, but if a new app comes along that competes with yours and adds one great new feature, it could sink yours. Be ready to adapt before that happens. Look at other mobile devices and technologies that are popular. There's a good chance that those features will be brought to the iPhone down the road. Build your app in such