[DevoxxBE2013] Business Strategies for Small Independent Developers
Joe Cieplinski, Creative Director at Bombing Brain Interactive, imparts wisdom on navigating the indie development landscape, drawing from his journey with apps like Teleprompt+ and Setlists. A former Apple Store presenter and app designer since 2008, Joe shares monetization tactics, customer engagement, and marketing essentials for sustaining a living through mobile software. His session, infused with anecdotes from his iOS and OS X ventures, underscores premium pricing, in-app purchases, and responsive support as pillars of success.
Indie developers, Joe contends, thrive by treating apps as products with ongoing value. He recounts Bombing Brain’s evolution, from manual support to PDF/iBooks guides, reducing queries while building loyalty. Effective strategies, he illustrates, blend quality delivery with community interaction, turning users into advocates.
Monetization Models and Pricing Wisdom
Joe advocates premium upfront pricing for perceived value, citing Teleprompt+’s $19.99 tagline drawing discerning users. Subscriptions and in-app upgrades, he demos, extend revenue—unlocking features like cloud sync fosters recurring income.
Avoid free apps’ ad pitfalls, Joe warns; targeted promotions on App Store or forums yield better conversions than broad ads.
Customer Support and Resource Creation
Exemplary support, Joe emphasizes, differentiates indies. He shares Tim Mosley’s empathetic responses, turning complaints into testimonials. Comprehensive manuals—100-page PDFs for Teleprompt+—preempt queries, saving time while showcasing depth.
Social media, though secondary for his audience, amplifies reach; Twitter/App.net engagements build rapport.
Building Reputation and Marketing Tactics
Reputation accrues through consistent excellence, Joe asserts. Cross-platform ports, like Teleprompt+ for iPad/iPhone/OS X, expand ecosystems. Collaborations with friends, as in his trio, infuse passion into products.
Marketing favors organic growth: user reviews, niche forums, and targeted outreach outperform paid campaigns for bootstrapped teams.
Lessons from Bombing Brain’s Journey
Joe reflects on x2y’s launch, balancing innovation with sustainability. He urges indies to prioritize joy—his “lifestyle” approach sustains creativity amid challenges.
This blueprint, Joe concludes, equips solo creators for enduring viability in app markets.