A few days ago I released one of my first major pieces of content for medium.
With the feedback I received from this post, I’ve decided to write more and more content. Maybe even more content than my blog.
I also released a new YouTube video today on Contentment, which you can check out here
Anyway, on to todays topic!
In this post I am going to be breaking down the truth about the app market and the main 4 things you need to know.
All of these come from experience as an app developer, mobile game developer, coach, course-maker for apps, and traveler.
So lets crack into it…
#1. Success Is Not Easy To Come By
As cliche as it sounds, I don’t think enough people TRULY and DEEPLY understand this.
There are no guarantees to success in this market.
Just because you publish a great app or game does not guarantee ANYTHING.
As I always say, this just puts you in the best position to WIN.
Its like preparing for a basketball championship game. Practicing and putting in the work does not guarantee your going to win the game.
But the more practicing and the more work you put in, increases your chances exponentially of success.
The app market works the same way.
I often get people who apply for my coaching program and ask:
“What are the guarantees of success?”
Or
“Am I guaranteed to make money?”
They are often disappointed to find out that my coaching program IS NOT a quick roadmap to wealth in the app market.
…And in fact I turn away lots of people just because they have the wrong mindset.
The program is SIMPLY A TOOL to place you in the best position to WIN.
Nothing more, Nothing less.
#2. Are You REALLY Willing To Put In The Work? Seriously Though.
Okay, I am going to get extremely real with you here and I want you to be real too…
Are you willing to sacrifice weekends, days and nights…FOR NO GUARANTEES of success?
Really ask yourself this question.
If the answer is NO….
Quit RIGHT NOW and stop reading this article.
…And I’m not joking.
If this answer is yes, continue reading.
Everyone wants the success, the million dollar app, the mobile game that makes you 1k-4k per day. We ALL WANT things.
But are you willing to do what it takes?
Maybe screw up a few times until you get it right…
Not partying and getting wasted with your friends every weekend…
Are you truly willing to do whatever it takes?
…EVEN WITH NO GUARANTEES OF SUCCESS?
I really want you to be honest with yourself.
If you are not willing to do this, you are better off just getting a nice paying job. Seriously. And its nothing wrong with this.
We live in an age where being a “entrepreneur” seems “cool”.
Its the new trend. But the reality is…Most people will fail. Thats the reality.
Listen, everyone is not meant to do what they love. If everyone were doing “what they love” the world be be even more complex and unbalanced than it is now. We need people in certain places.
That’s the reality of it all. Its all about socio-economic-geography.
Everyone has a part to play. Everyone isn’t cut out for this stuff. Realize that and be okay with it. It does not mean that you are of less value than someone who is cut out for this life, it just means you chose to take a different path.
…And THATS FINE.
#2 There Is No Secret To The App Market
This is a good one.
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Many people think its a secret or some weird trick to making money with games and apps.
“Maybe its a marketing tactic i’m missing…”
“Maybe some weird secret wizard hack that can get more downloads…”
But really, people think this is all one big mystery.
In fact, most people think the key to wealth and success is all one big secret that Bill Gates and Richard Branson are hiding from us. We think they know something we don’t.
And indeed, its they don’t…
…Or maybe they just have more knowledge than you?
I have lots of developer friends who all make money with their games and including myself.
Everyone I know put in the work day in and day out. They improved on each game release, they followed steps to building an audience, they published ONLY GREAT quality content.
…and most of all we’ve all failed.
Day in and day out.
They put it in the work and it simply boils down to this. Those simple habits and routines implemented daily.
Here is a great video by Gary Vee that really helps this sink home. Watch it and then keep reading.
Great content there. Shout-out to Gary Vee for putting out such great content.
But does that make sense to you? This is how it works.
Its not different for the app market. ITS ALL THE SAME.
So cut off the thoughts that you have about the app market and trying to find out the next secret to success.
Just stop it.
#3 The App Market Is Not Overcrowded
This is a myth I wish people would stop spreading.
Just because a market does not present ways to EASILY make money, does not mean its overcrowded.
OR
Just because you have to put it WORK in order to reach and grow audiences, does not mean its overcrowded.
None of these are indicators of a market being overcrowded…
They are merely indicators of GROWTH.
Most people want it to come easy. And given the slightest resistance, most people began to look to the environment and other outside factors for excuses.
Often times this is our brains doing this…
“I can’t develop apps because its too much competition…”
“I can’t start a blog because its too many blogs already…”
“I can’t build a game because its no new game ideas…”
All of these are just ways our brain tries to get OUT OF DOING WORK.
Our brains want to be comfortable(Unless we train it otherwise) and it will do whatever it needs to do in order to become comfortable and avoid work.
Realize this. Understand this.
The good news is, YOU control your mind.
Interesting Paradox.
Just because something is difficult does not mean it is broken or something is wrong.
This just means you need to really need to step your game up and dot all of your “i’s” and cross all of your “t’s”.
Bottom Line: Competition forces everyone to step their game up OR be swallowed up and spit out.
#4 Marketing Goes Beyond Getting Eyeballs
This is a big one and not many people understand this. Just getting your game in front of people is not enough.
In todays market you really need to ENGAGE with your audience. You need to CARE about them.
Throwing up Facebook ads or twitter ads is easy. Anyone can do that. But what most people do not do is CARE about their community. Even if you only have one follower on twitter right now…
Treat that follower as if they were 1 million followers.
Share awesome content with them. Give away free stuff. Run promotions. Share sales and deals with them. Share blog posts and gaming news they may be interested in.
Find ways to engage with them. Retweet and comment on their tweets.
All of this stuff presents engagement. When you engage and capture the heart of players and users…You’re Winning.
This is what the big boys typically can’t do.
**I hope you enjoyed this post. It would mean the world to me if you recommend this article :-). Also feel free to comment and leave your thoughts below.**
