Keep reading to discover eight app launch tactics powered by influencers that can help you have a successful product release.
1. Gather Niche Creators for a Beta Test
When you officially launch your app, everyone will be able to see it. It’s harder to make adjustments and fix bugs without doing some damage to your brand after the launch date. That’s why it’s smart to start with a beta test before the big launch. Ask a few niche creators, like bloggers or YouTubers, to try your app and offer honest feedback. Ideally, you’ll want to choose creators whose brand or content relates to what your app does. A parenting blogger, for instance, would be a logical choice to review an app geared toward local parent meetups.
How do you do a beta test? Start by creating beta access codes or an isolated digital space, like a sandbox environment. Provide a document that outlines what functions you would like to test, like purchases through the app. And make sure your creators know that they should be very direct with their feedback, even if it’s not positive. Honest input can help your development team identify any technical kinks that need to be addressed. Make sure to treat the influencers you’re working with as partners in the review process, too. Help them navigate any dashboards where you’re hoping to capture results. And provide clear timelines for feedback.
2. Provide Custom Deep Links
Custom deep links can create a more successful launch test experience for influencers. These links enable bypassing web detours, and they can collect data on all in-app actions and sign-ups. You can measure your marketing success through referral tracking to find out who referred new customers. And small incentives can encourage creators and followers to engage with the app.
Be sure that your tech team is on the same wavelength regarding links. They will need to weave referral tracking and parameters for events. Ultimately, the hope is that custom deep links will result in strong active-user conversion rates.
3. Give Creators UGC Templates
When you’re feeling like your app is operating well, shift your focus to branded content. You’ll want to make it as easy as possible for creators to share branded content that showcases your app. You can do this by giving creators UGC (user-generated content) templates. And if you need help setting up an effective influencer marketing partnership that’s structured and high-impact, turn to the best influencer strategy services in Chicago.
UGC templates will enable creators to respond to prompts or insert reactions that demonstrate the effectiveness of the app. Maybe they chronicle an hour or a day using your app. Or maybe the UGC template invites them to offer initial reactions. Provide the UGC templates, but encourage creators to play with visuals and adapt the prompts to suit their audience. You can even ask for the rights to use the UGC in ad listings online. Follow up on the success of your efforts by looking at the engagement rate for each creator video.
4. Turn Tutorials into Interactive Walkthroughs
If an influencer is offering a tutorial on your app, that’s the best moment to engage the audience and convert passive watchers into active buyers. Take advantage of these tutorials by turning them into interactive walkthroughs that ask viewers to download the app or subscribe to it right away.
Encourage creators to maintain a natural tone throughout their stories to make the most impact. Then you’ll need to include tappable calls-to-action (CTA) within Stories or Reels. And if someone makes a purchase in the app during a walkthrough, offer affiliate payouts. As with all efforts to generate interest and revenue, track your metrics. If a user engages with a button in the walkthrough, track it.
5. Co-Design the Onboarding Experience
How you initiate and welcome new users is key to the success of your app. Working with a handful of skilled creators can help you fine-tune this onboarding experience so it’s more effective. Instead of trying to figure out everything internally, collaborate with creators to co-design everything from the initial greeting to the tutorials and push notifications.
Work in short collaborative sessions to gather input, and try out several welcome screens featuring varied visuals. Ask for feedback on the language used within the app, too, to ensure it reads clearly and has a relatable tone. You can test the impact of what you create by looking at the onboarding completion rate and retention on the first day of use.
6. Use Creator-Led Ad Design Tests
Harness the power of external creators to improve your ad design efforts. Consider running A/B tests that use different ad styles from creators to test the waters with ad content. You could discover that aesthetically pleasing ads may connect with the most users, for example. Or perhaps a dose of humor is key to making the greatest impact. In any case, it’s always smart to tap into the creative juices of individuals beyond your organization.
Ask a few talented creators to create small ad tests of around 20 seconds, spotlighting something the app does well. Then run the ads on Instagram Reels or other ad platforms to see which one commands more attention. You’ll be able to compare the creative engagement rate and see where you should funnel your ad budget.
7. Host AMA Sessions
Once you’ve launched your app, don’t let the energy dwindle. Instead, host Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions where you shine the spotlight on the creators who collaborated with you. You’ll gain an audience immediately when you promote a livestreamed event. Schedule your event on a social media platform and start hyping it to get more views.
Update users on new features or let a product manager address technical concerns. Be transparent with your answers, and capture responses as smaller clips you can share on social media channels or your website. Even though the event is meant to use a Q&A format, don’t wing it. Prepare some answers in advance and have demo screens ready. Track how many people watch and how long they stay as you look ahead toward other potential livestreams.
8. Look to Micro-Creators
Yes, an established creator can add some heft to your brand endorsement. But micro-influencers can help you develop more sustainable growth and credibility. These are creators with a following that’s generally between 2,000 and 20,000 accounts. You’ll be able to broaden your reach by working with these creators, as well.
Ask them to mention your app and offer them some discounts or perks in return. Give them custom app codes and target micro-creators whose content aligns with what you’re offering. To measure success, look for solid long-tail engagement rates and more organic installs in the month or two following the promotion.
Tapping into the Power of Influencers
Influencers can be a vital part of your app launch. When you partner with them to design ads, complete creative testing, and gain feedback, you’ll end up with a better product and more visibility. You’ll need to loop your marketing and development personnel in on the collaboration to get the most from it. When you tap into the power of an influencer’s creativity and brand, you’ll be able to nurture a stronger interest in your app.
