Four Steps to Kick-Starting Buzz for your Mobile App August 18, 2011

What This Preso is NOT A how-to on using Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Tips for writing a killer press release A tutorial on technologies that get your “content” to every far reaching corner of the Internet

What This Preso IS A guide to creating a story for your mobile application, and putting that story in the hands of the right people, in a way that will incent them, and their followers, to create credible “buzz” for your business.

The PR Landscape for Mobile Applications Crowded Noisy Growing by the day Lots of “me-too’s”

Getting Started: Are you Ready for PR? Check list: Product is tested and you have some customers who will talk to press (even beta customers) Product attributes/benefits are identified (what does it do?) Product has a name You can easily describe the unique problem you solve in 1-2 sentences. (Hint: you do not solve many problems for many people)

Getting Started: Are you Ready for PR? AllSport GPS Fitness tracker For outdoor enthusiasts who love running, walking, hiking, biking and more, and wish to track their activities with superior GPS Easy to use, easy to share, fun, helps you reach your fitness goals AllSport GPS helps you achieve your fitness goals whether that’s stepping up your workout routine, training for a 5K, or just having fun and capturing outdoor excursions.

Next Up: The Importance of a Message Explaining what your mobile app does/who you are is just as important as the business itself Great ideas + bad messages = missed opportunities Bad ideas + great messages = bad business in the market place (and the press are the first to call you out on this)

Next Up: The Importance of a Message FireHost FireHost is the leading, secure cloud hosting company that protects high traffic, data-critical websites and applications, such as Ecommerce and Healthcare, from devastating cyber attacks. As the first cloud hosting solution to offer security and protection from hackers, FireHost delivers managed hosting with an affordable, usage-based model.

Step Three: Create the Visuals Backgrounder & fact sheet Deck NextSlide, video, interactive content Doesn’t matter what you choose -- they should all have the same thing: A little company history A little on leadership/funding Application overview

Step Three: Create the Visuals A few good screen shots, images or photos High resolution is the norm 5-10 minute demo Practice this – if it’s longer than 10 minutes it’s too long Bonus: customer case study

Step Four: Get to the Influencers Identify your top 10 industry influencers: bloggers, traditional press, analysts, evangelists Get on their radar, repeatedly Your industry matters most Be realistic

Step Four: Get to the Influencers FIREHOST – Official launch July 2009 50 articles by trade press and blogs Write up in three leading security analyst report Established columns in three industry news sites Three major industry awards Three speaker sessions at industry tradeshows First conversation with Wall Street Journal: April 2011

Summary Make sure you’re ready for PR Know your core value, focus, and communicate it effectively Know your key influencers and talk to them often Have happy customers ready to talk And finally: Just like everything else in your business, be prepared to work hard!

Thank You Questions?