360iDev - Challenging our Assumptions to Succeed in the App Store

The App Store has changed the software business and many struggle to find a way to make a living in it. It’s not only a crowded market with 10 apps solving the same problem, you’re competing for money that people get more pleasure spending on Clash of Clans. What does it take to find success?

Last year Curtis got serious about turning his indie app, Slopes, into a larger part of his business. Since then Slopes has turned it into a reliable source of recurring revenue which continues to grow. By rethinking many of his past assumptions about app development and sales he’s seen a dramatic increase in app revenue since last year. He’d like to share what’s worked along the way, and challenge you to rethink what’s holding you back.

Transcript

1. Challenging our Assumptions to Succeed in the App Store
3. Apple holds back apps with ______________ . “
4. Apple holds back apps with ______________ . no paid upgrades no free trials no customer info no customer support channel App Store discovery “
5. “ You can't make a ______________ app work.
6. “ You can't make a ______________ app work. freemium paid up front subscription-based consumer
7. The problem is ______________ .
8. The problem is ______________ . Apple customers market
9. The problem is our assumptions.
11. What’d you say your name was?
12. breakpoint
14. ! + " = #
15. Slopes Track Your Edge
16. I currently and actively have always used Alpine Replay, what makes your app 4.99 better than the free alpine replay? /u/matttcheeww “
18. Slopes Track Your Edge
19. Assumption: This’ll work
20. Assumption: Great design is enough
21. Assumption: Great design is enough
23. Assumption: Apple needs to give us X
24. Create your own advantages
28. Assumption: Customer experience > everything
30. Enjoying this talk? A review goes a long way! Mind taking a moment to tell others how much you’re enjoying this talk? Rate this talk Remind me later No, thanks
35. Users viewing “what’s new” screen 6% → 13%
36. Users viewing “what’s new” screen 6% → 13%
38. 7.5% opt in 81 → 2,100 subscribers in 5 months
39. 7.5% opt in 81 → 2,100 subscribers in 5 months
41. Assumption: I can’t ship without that!
42. More time in dev = more risk More time in dev = more time w/o revenue
43. Assumption: You were right
47. Your story of success is not a straight line
48. Assumption: What worked (or didn’t) for them will do the same for me
55. @parrots Thanks!