Culled from a number of people giving me advice, my own experience, and resources around the web, use the checklist/resources/timeline to ensure you’re on track. Have you released an app before? What did you learn? What can you add to the list to increase launch efficacy? Add a comment below.

Pre-Release

Submit your Beta product to Beta List, LaunchingNext, LaunchList, etc, etc.

Check here for an in-depth piece on Product Hunt success.

Write your launch press release and include a link to a Dropbox folder, containing:

  • Hero images that press can post (check the sizes used on the blogs/sites you’re pitching and provide 1x & 2x)
  • 30 second app demo (Use QT to film)
  • Promo video (Examples)
  • Screenshots as they appear in app (@2x)
  • Screenshots as they appear on the app store (@2x)
  • App store URL + your landing page URL
  • App icon in multiple sizes
  • App store reviewers guide — cover your bases with this guide to all the features and functionality of your app
  • Interview yourself and pull quotes that can be used in articles about your product (use Google docs and include a shortcut in your press folder)

Resources

How to post to PH

App Store Optimization Checklist [.pdf]

Create app store screens faster (Template) [.psd]

Create your App Reviewer’s Guide (Example) [.pdf]

Get Jon Dobrowolski’s stories in your inbox

Pitching Press (Includes Template)

Launch Timeline

Three weeks before launch

  • Set up Google alerts for your app’s name, etc.
  • Submit to Apple (so you know asap when you can set your date)
  • Release Promo video
  • Begin work on 1.1 with some meaty features/fixes

Two weeks before launch

  • Press kit done

One week before launch

  • v1.0 is given to all friends/contacts/etc

Night before: Soft Launch (not for press, for propagation)

  • Release around 11pm ET on Tuesday night
  • Ensure listing looks good
  • Publish complete website & FAQs
  • Social proof the listing with early blog posts, etc

9am ET

  • Launch
  • Blast email list
  • Respond via social to supporters / provide answers to any Q’s online (and give people at CTA)
  • Ping friends/family/contacts for App Store ratings/reviews

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