If you are a mobile app developer, you probably have a great idea for a product that can solve a problem, entertain, or educate your users. You have spent countless hours designing, coding, testing, and debugging your app, and you are ready to launch it to the world. But how do you make sure that your app gets noticed and downloaded by your target audience? How do you market your app effectively and efficiently in a crowded and competitive app market?

In this article, I will share with you some marketing advice for mobile app developers, based on the principles of inspirational leadership that I have learned from studying successful leaders and organizations. I will show you how to apply these principles to your app marketing strategy, and how to create a loyal and engaged user base that will help you grow your app and achieve your goals.

Start with Why

The first and most important piece of advice I can give you is to start with why. Why did you create your app? What is the purpose, cause, or belief that drives you and your app? What is the value proposition that your app offers to your users? Why should they care about your app and download it?

Starting with why is the foundation of inspirational leadership, and it is also the foundation of effective app marketing. When you start with why, you communicate your app’s vision and mission to your audience, and you inspire them to join you and support you. You also differentiate your app from the countless other apps that are competing for your users’ attention and money.

To start with why, you need to craft a clear and compelling message that explains the why behind your app. This message should be consistent across all your app marketing channels, such as your app store listing, your website, your social media, your press releases, and your ads. Your message should also be simple, authentic, and emotional, so that it can resonate with your audience and motivate them to take action.

One of the best examples of starting with why in app marketing is Spotify, the global music streaming platform. Spotify’s why is to "unlock the potential of human creativity by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it." This why is reflected in Spotify’s app marketing strategy, which showcases the value and variety of its service, and the stories and passions of its artists and users. Spotify’s why also helps it stand out from other music streaming apps, and attracts a loyal and engaged user base.

Think in Infinite Terms

The second piece of advice I can give you is to think in infinite terms. What do I mean by that? I mean that you should not view your app marketing as a finite game, where you have fixed rules, players, and objectives, and where you aim to win or beat your competitors. Instead, you should view your app marketing as an infinite game, where you have flexible rules, players, and objectives, and where you aim to advance your cause and keep playing.

Thinking in infinite terms helps you adopt a long-term and sustainable perspective on your app marketing and avoid getting trapped in short-term and reactive tactics. It also helps you focus on your own vision and goals, and not on what your competitors are doing. It also helps you embrace innovation and experimentation, and not be afraid of failure or change.

To think in infinite terms, you need to have a clear and compelling vision of what you want to achieve with your app, and how you want to impact your users and the world. You also need to have a flexible and adaptable strategy that allows you to respond to the changing needs and preferences of your users and the market. You also need to have a growth mindset that enables you to learn from your mistakes and feedback, and to improve your app and your app marketing continuously.

One of the examples of thinking in infinite terms in app marketing is Airbnb, the global travel platform. Airbnb’s vision is to "create a world where anyone can belong anywhere." This vision guides Airbnb’s app marketing strategy, which focuses on creating a community of hosts and guests, and on providing unique and diverse travel experiences. Airbnb’s strategy also adapts to the changing trends and challenges in the travel industry, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and offers new products and features, such as online experiences, flexible cancellation policies, and enhanced cleaning standards. Airbnb’s mindset also encourages it to learn from its failures and successes, and to constantly improve its app and its app marketing.

Prioritize the Well-Being of Your Team

The third piece of advice I can give you is to prioritize the well-being of your team. Your team is your most valuable asset in your app development and marketing, and you need to take care of them and empower them. Your team is also your first and most important audience for your app, and you need to inspire them and engage them.

Prioritizing the well-being of your team is the essence of servant leadership, and it is also the essence of effective app marketing. When you prioritize the well-being of your team, you create a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation, and you enable your team to perform at their best. You also create a culture of passion, loyalty, and advocacy, and you enable your team to become your app’s ambassadors and promoters.

To prioritize the well-being of your team, you need to do three things: listen, learn, and lead. You need to listen to your team’s ideas, opinions, and feedback, and to value their input and contribution. You need to learn from your team’s skills, experiences, and perspectives, and to help them grow and develop. You need to lead your team by setting a clear and compelling direction, by providing support and guidance, and by recognizing and rewarding their achievements.

One of the examples of prioritizing the well-being of your team in app marketing is Slack, the global collaboration platform. Slack’s mission is to "make work life simpler, more pleasant, and more productive." This mission applies not only to Slack’s users, but also to Slack’s team. Slack’s app marketing strategy relies heavily on its team’s creativity, productivity, and happiness, and Slack invests in creating a positive and supportive work environment for its team. Slack also encourages its team to use and love its app, and to share their stories and experiences with their networks and communities. Slack’s team is one of its biggest assets and advocates, and one of the reasons for its app’s success.

Conclusion

These are some of the marketing advice for mobile app developers that I have learned from studying inspirational leadership. I hope they can help you create a successful and impactful app that can solve a problem, entertain, or educate your users. Remember, app marketing is not just about displaying your message, but about creating an experience. Start with why, think in infinite terms, and prioritize the well-being of your team, and you will be on your way to achieving your app’s vision and mission.