Congrat to Bertrand..Making it to the top 25!!

rocotilos · May 2012

dre;433505 said:
Wow... this thread turned really weird.. oh... friggin people.. why some people feel the need to be a rat? Maybe some miserable person needs to feel powerful?

Since day 1 of the web every web developer was implementing all sorts of tricks to be ranked high in Google's (and other search engines') ranks. Would anybody write to Google complaining about some web site?

People do all sorts of tricks on Ebay, does anybody complains to Ebay?

Why Apple is any different? Apple has all the resources to track and analyze and do whatever with their ranking system. And whatever any developer does - it's between him and Apple.

+1
Oh man. I was really happy that an INDIE made it big, then I read UIViewController's post and I was like :eek: Why oh why?

UIViewController, if the app is like Temple Gun or Pokemon Yellow, then you have every reason to report it. But have you even tried Applets? It is highly polished, it helps people, and it just works.

So heads up guys, if you see any Indie's apps making a success, better not post about it in here. There are envy devs lurking... sad but true. :(

bignoggins · May 2012

rocotilos;433520 said:
+1
Oh man. I was really happy that an INDIE made it big, then I read UIViewController's post and I was like :eek: Why oh why?

UIViewController, if the app is like Temple Gun or Pokemon Yellow, then you have every reason to report it. But have you even tried Applets? It is highly polished, it helps people, and it just works.

So heads up guys, if you see any Indie's apps making a success, better not post about it in here. There are envy devs lurking... sad but true. :(

I'm just amazed he admitted to it in public. If you are gonna do it just do it privately, but why admit to the world you are an a-hole? Makes no sense.

SuperDietGenius · May 2012

Bertrand21;433181 said:
This is not my first rodeo on the top charts. I have been there MANY times with many apps. If you are willing to spend money marketing your app, getting in the top charts is not that difficult. It just needs to make sense for you. I know what my returns are for my app because I have been in the charts before so I know how many organic I can get to start returning profit. This is not rocket science guys. I would never do this with all of the my apps because the appeal and wide audience I get with Applets is unmatched with any of my others. Less than 1000 downloads from marketing is not hard to get in a day.

Hi Ryan - Could you please share how you spent your money marketing your app. It seems to work well for Applets, so it would be great if you'd be willing to share how you allocate your marketing spend with the community.

Thanks

LEARN2MAKE · May 2012

SuperDietGenius;433550 said:
Hi Ryan - Could you please share how you spent your money marketing your app. It seems to work well for Applets, so it would be great if you'd be willing to share how you allocate your marketing spend with the community.

Thanks

I know we all want to do great on the app store and figure out what works. But really, if you do figure out some things that work, the last place you are gonna want to do is post it on a public forum.

Congrats to the success with Applets. I'm sure that you are in it for the long haul so whatever marketing, promotion that you do to move up in the rankings is more part of a long term plan for continued viability and not just for bragging rights.

Touchmint · May 2012

While I dont agree that he should have been ratted on I really dont see the harm. If it was legit then nothing will be done and all is good. If he bought his way up there something should be done no matter who he is. There shouldnt be double standards just because he is a valued member of the community. The fact of the matter is practices like this no matter who they are from make it harder for honest indies to get to the top.

Again I am not saying he ever did cheat the system or pay for downloads just going with the thread is all.

ilmman · May 2012

I've noticed that most of the positive reviews, review the same apps. If you look at the posting history of the the reviewers, you can see that other reviewers reviewed the same app. Dunno it could be a coincidence, but yer just saying...

SuperDietGenius · May 2012

LEARN2MAKE;433565 said:
I know we all want to do great on the app store and figure out what works. But really, if you do figure out some things that work, the last place you are gonna want to do is post it on a public forum.

Congrats to the success with Applets. I'm sure that you are in it for the long haul so whatever marketing, promotion that you do to move up in the rankings is more part of a long term plan for continued viability and not just for bragging rights.

Hello,

I believe there is value in sharing information with the community of what works and what does not work.

One doesn't have to give exact specifics, but even general guidelines can help other independent developers avoid costly mistakes.

For example, we spent $1,400 (the smallest amount possible), for a print advertisement in MacWorld magazine when our app first launched. We saw a ZERO lift in downloads and it was a complete waste of $1,400.

Conversely, we invested a few thousand with a marketing agency that specializes in promoting iPhone apps to the media. They got us coverage in 3 prominent websites, and created a LIFT in downloads that equaled over $6,000 in revenue in just one week.

Sharing helps the community.

dre · May 2012

Guys, I have a question: what "community"? We are competitors, not members of some sort of a "commune". Mobile software development is a business, just like any other business in any other industry. Is there a "community" of car manufacturers or plumbers?

I think the whole idea of the "community" is very naive. We are competitors. Of course one can compete like gentleman, trying to make a better product, earn the customer. While somebody else will try to throw the competitor under the bus.. but that's life..

clarky07 · May 2012

dre;433633 said:
Guys, I have a question: what "community"? We are competitors, not members of some sort of a "commune". Mobile software development is a business, just like any other business in any other industry. Is there a "community" of car manufacturers or plumbers?

I think the whole idea of the "community" is very naive. We are competitors. Of course one can compete like gentleman, trying to make a better product, earn the customer. While somebody else will try to throw the competitor under the bus.. but that's life..

Eh I think that's a bit negative. Some of us do compete, but many us don't compete at all with each other. Based on the apps in your signature, I wouldn't consider you a competitor in the least. I don't have any fantasy sports apps, so I'm not a competitor to bignoggins etc. There is value in helping the community, and in turn receiving help. I've been helped by these forums and in turn have tried to help others.

There are networking opportunities, partnership opportunities, future jobs, freelance jobs, and sometimes just the good feeling you get when you help someone else. Sure some of us compete, but many of us don't, and even when we do helping out has the potential to be a net win for everyone.

dre · May 2012

clarky07;433635 said:
Eh I think that's a bit negative. Some of us do compete, but many us don't compete at all with each other. Based on the apps in your signature, I wouldn't consider you a competitor in the least. I don't have any fantasy sports apps, so I'm not a competitor to bignoggins etc. There is value in helping the community, and in turn receiving help. I've been helped by these forums and in turn have tried to help others.

There are networking opportunities, partnership opportunities, future jobs, freelance jobs, and sometimes just the good feeling you get when you help someone else. Sure some of us compete, but many of us don't, and even when we do helping out has the potential to be a net win for everyone.

OK, a theoretical example. There is a top 25 sweet spot in the appstore. Suppose you have 25 apps (doesn't matter what apps) and I have 25 apps. Suppose you found a way to promote all your 25 apps to top 25 and so did I. each top 25 spot earns thousands a day. Aren't we competitors? Why would I sacrifice thousands/day to give up one spot to you? And why would you do the same?

Why shouldn't you have all your apps in top 50? Top 100? Top 200? It doesn't matter what apps we have. Every other app is a tiny competition, is less visibility for our app, is a potentially lost sale. Now multiply that times 600,000.

All the opportunities you mentioned is plain business. I would cooperate with you if it benefits me and I wouldn't otherwise. I think you'd do the same, but I don't see any "community", I see just a plain healthy business.

I'm not trying to be negative, I'm just sharing my opinion. This thread turned weird anyway :)

Absentia · May 2012

UIViewController;433253 said:
I emailed Apple developer relations to launch an investigation and see if it was really legit or had something to do with the bombapp promo that lists the application as a success story.

Wow - I have been a member of countless message boards over the years and this is by far the douchiest thing I've ever seen. I see these successful apps and it inspires me to reach towards the same success - sad to see that it only causes jealousy and bitterness in others.

dansparrow · May 2012

SuperDietGenius;433630 said:
Hello,

I believe there is value in sharing information with the community of what works and what does not work.

One doesn't have to give exact specifics, but even general guidelines can help other independent developers avoid costly mistakes.

Sharing helps the community.

+1

I think big companies like Rovio or Zynga are real competitors for indie developers, because they have huge budgets and media coverage. But we are indie came here to share our experience and help each other. Because we must find a way to make our apps visible for public. Even great app can't be famous without marketing because Big Companies spend millions for it. So if you don't want to share your methods with community — why do you came here?

Ryan do not have to share his secrets, but he obviously palter with the truth saying "This is not rocket science guys". It is. He find some way to make such rocket jump and definitely it's not just because his app great.

It was great before and stay great after this jump — but something make such jump happens. And maybe by some shady methods, because ilmman find some really strange facts about reviewers.

ilmman · May 2012

i did what? i dont find those facts "strange". I'm just saying the apps that got reviewed on his account are also done by the same reviewer on other apps.. not just once but many times..

doesn't mean he cheated the system or anything, it could just mean that the reviewers just happened to apparently buy the same apps 50 times.. I mean we live in a world of chance so it can happen...

dansparrow · May 2012

ilmman;433672 said:
i did what? i dont find those facts "strange". I'm just saying the apps that got reviewed on his account are also done by the same reviewer on other apps.. not just once but many times..

doesn't mean he cheated the system or anything, it could just mean that the reviewers just happened to apparently buy the same apps 50 times.. I mean we live in a world of chance so it can happen...

I don't said you find those strange, I find this strange by myself)

SillyHoney · May 2012

Hahah see? You guys still remember me who posted about sales revenue, revenue per day and number of download for a certain ranking? This is exactly why I have never mentioned my app names to this freaking *community*. I just provided valuable info for who needs them. Believe it or not but I provided real numbers. I just don't want to prove it because getting stabbed in the back like Ryan is the last thing I want.

App Store is not a community. It is war, dudes. I needs to feed my family. So does Ryan. So why the fook anyone should share any business secret to anyone. If you are pissed because someone is making more money than you do then go fook yourself!

gk84 · May 2012

thats being a little too harsh. if you think this community is a war then why are you in it?? Either you come here to give information or get information. if you dont want to give information then what gives u the right to get information? This community is alive because people share and get information from each other. its give and take. if you come here just to take then really u shouldn't be here at all.

matador1978 · May 2012

Attention, frustrated rant ahead:

Bloody 14 year old kids....
(I wonder which one of you will reply first to protest that... "haha" already)
With that mentality you will never go far! Karma is a biaiaiaiatch!
Since when is a forum not a community? I laughed so hard, my enema backfired.
Jealous ignorant bunch of hoohoos!! You got A LOT to learn!

Have a great time ladies. All the snitches and sympathizers will get remembered, and suddenly BOOM! no help anymore on the forums...;( aww
(you know like, sharing knowledge and experiences in a COMMUNITY) (I used the C word)
You'll see..

YOU (WE) should all be cheering for a member of the COMMUNITY (I used the C word AGAIN) if they succeed.

Maybe it's just the socio-cultural differences on this board. And age obviously, education, etc

God I'm so angry, I should just ignore this post and stop replying, I'll try..grrr I WILL.
Now I'm the idiot...Eyes, ears, mouth shut.

Still disappointed, but more intelligent now. Good. ;) Hey I'm happy again.

I like the word "Fookin" though, nice one.

Peace Ni

dre · May 2012

funny how those who claim to be part of a "community" don't show their apps.. :) "community" eh...

Meoz · May 2012

[QUOTE=matador1978;433715]Attention, frustrated rant ahead:

Bloody 14 year old kids....
..
Peace Ni

Mountain Tiger · May 2012

dre;433633 said:
Guys, I have a question: what "community"? We are competitors, not members of some sort of a "commune".

We should be a community of individual developers in competition against the big guys.

ukneeq · May 2012

dre;433720 said:
funny how those who claim to be part of a "community" don't show their apps.. :) "community" eh...

I guess I'll be the first then. I definitely feel that being a community is a benefit to indie developers. Unless you are big corporation or company, that are cut throat, there is no reason to feel threatened by other developers here. The reason I joined the forum is to get help from a community of developers and to also provide what little help I could offer. I feel that you can help and be a part of a community and still have a healthy, but friendly competition. Yes I do want to do well in the Apple store, but I wouldn't do it at the cost of someone else. I still hope for everyone here to succeed and know that it doesn't take away from me being able to succeed either. There really is room for us all to make money. It isn't as simple as the example earlier with the 25 spots. That's just my 2 cents!

Newbie123 · May 2012

This thread needs to be closed. Since UIViewController thought it would be fun to report Ryan to Apple, there has been either a flame war or a completely off topic discussion.

Congrats to Bertrand...You made it in top 5! Now it's over.

Please, put this thread to rest.

bignoggins · May 2012

lol the subtitle of the iPhone Dev SDK forums says "The community for the iPhone developer community". Just find that ironic we are arguing about something that is clearly the intent of these forums.

Competitors can very much be in community. Hard to fathom, but that's very much possible at least in silicon valley. Startups compete for engineers, funding, customers, etc, but there is very much a cooperative environment.

People who are worried about sharing secrets (I never was) subscribe to the fixed pie economic theory, which I disagree with. I don't see the app store as a fixed pie, but a growing ecosystem where every developer can add value. I've made a lot of money on the app store, but not necessarily at another developer's expense. I have a lot of competitors and they still do well also. I make money because I create value that wasn't there before.

I don't think it's a coincidence that the most successful devs on these forums are also the most helpful. I got similar comments two years ago when I first started posting my strategies and revenue numbers, but I haven't been put out of business yet. On the contrary, business is booming. Call it karma or whatever you want, but I believe if you help others you will be successful in life.

ziocleto · May 2012

Is is just me that feels like being drowned by depression reading this thread?

War, backstabbing, cheating, everyone hates each other...

Come on...

dre · May 2012

Mountain Tiger;433736 said:
We should be a community of individual developers in competition against the big guys.

In contrary, the big guys are not competition. The big guys produce usually tens of apps of more or less good quality. The big guys don't spam the appstore, don't file false copyright claims, don't throw other devs under the bus, don't use bots, don't post fake reviews, don't produce thousands of flashlights... etc..

Howdy, Stranger!

Forums

Congrat to Bertrand..Making it to the top 25!!

Replies