App Empire: Make Money, Have a Life, and Let Technology Work for You

Praise for App Empire

"When I started making apps, I was generating about $25 per day. Then I met Chad. Using the techniques that Chad told me in just one meeting put me in the top twenty of the app store multiple times. Read this from beginning to end, as it truly has secrets that are making people millions. "
—Trey Smith, iPhone game developer

"Chad challenges the status quo in the mobile app space. His proven system breaks down the daunting tasks of researching and creating apps all the way through to marketing and monetization. App Empire is a must–read for anyone already in the app game or anyone who wants to quit their 9–to–5 for a long–term, sustainable business."
—Amish Shah, cofounder, DigiSpace Solutions

"Chad is a total gangster when it comes to iPhone apps. The money he has made in such a short time is astonishing."
—Frank Kern, highest paid Internet marketing consultant in the world

"Make millions with apps while traveling all over the world? Well, there is a book for that, and you′re holding it in your hands. I′ve seen firsthand the amazing results Chad′s strategies can produce in the app store. Seize this opportunity to become a top appreneur and join the growing ranks of the new rich."
—Tayfun Karadeniz, leading iPhone app monetization gangster

"The strategies for making money with apps detailed in this book are 1) proven, 2) effective, and 3) simple. There are very few people in the app space equipped to author this book and Chad is one of them. My best advice is to not only READ the book, but EXECUTE."
—Alan Johanson, successful appreneur

"It′s not just about having an idea. It′s about executing it. As the app market grows, it′s getting harder to gain visibility, and visibility is the key to success. This book breaks down the process into understandable concepts. It guides you step by step in executing the most efficient way to gain that visibility you need. Chad has it down to a science."
—Michael Moon from Free the Apps!

Introduction How I Accidentally Became an App Millionaire xiii

The Happiest People on Earth xiii

The Appreneur Lifestyle xiv

Starting from a Hospital Bed xv

Game Plan xvii

The Real Question xvii

Chapter 1 The Treasure in Your Hand: Why Mobile Apps Can Make You Rich 1

A Bigger Opportunity than the Internet! 4

Ludicrous Speed 6

Take Advantage of This Phenomenon Now 8

The Players 8

Apple—iPhone/iPad/iPod 9

Google Android 11

BlackBerry 11

Setting Up Shop 11

Future Trends 12

Build a Gold Mine 13

Chapter 2 Install This First: The App Millionaire Mindset 15

Winning Beliefs in the App Business 18

Create a Golden Mindset 22

Qualities of a Winning Mindset 23

Chapter 3 Discover the New World: The App Store 33

Gathering Intelligence 37

Read Between the Apps 39

Two Types of Apps 41

App Discovery 42

How Developers Make Money 44

The Impulse Buy 47

Hooking the Customer 50

Traits of Successful Apps 51

Serious Fun 54

Chapter 4 Your Golden App–ortunity: How to Create Hit Apps 57

Don’t Fall in Love with Your Idea 60

Stop Hatin’, Start Emulatin’ 62

Learn from Existing Apps 66

Narrowing Down Your Ideas 67

Timing Is Everything 69

Taking Small Steps 70

Chapter 5 You’re the Brains and They’re the Brawn: How to Hire Great Programmers 73

The Importance of Programmers 76

What to Look for in Programmers 77

Finding and Selecting Programmers 82

How to Convey Your Idea 88

Testing Hired Programmers 90

How to Manage Programmers 93

How to Test Your Apps 95

Chapter 6 Sex App–eal: Marketing Basics to Attract More Buyers 99

Dressed to Kill 103

Icons 104

App Title 104

Descriptions 106

Screenshots 107

Keywords 109

Categories 111

The Power of Free Apps 112

Course Correcting 112

Chapter 7 Keeping Score: What to Measure to Win the App Game 115

The Stats that Matter 118

Tools for Tracking Stats 121

Using Stats to Your Advantage 123

Paying Attention to Reviews 127

Cutting Your Losses 128

Chapter 8 Ninja Techniques that Will Grow Your Business: Advanced Marketing Tips and Tricks 131

Hitting a Plateau 134

Your App Network 134

Nag Screens 135

Promo Pages 139

Push Notifi cations 143

Your Developer Network 144

Updates 145

Paid Traffic 147

Chapter 9 Show Me the Money! Monetizing Your Apps 149

The Three Revenue Models 152

Banner Advertising 154

Affi liate Marketing 158

In–App Purchases 162

Translating Your Apps 165

Reinvesting in Your Business 168

Your BackEnd 169

Selling Your App Business 170

Chapter 10 Cruise Control: How to Automate and Monitor Your Business 173

Be Dispensable 176

Setting Up Your Team 177

Remote Management 180

Outsourcing Your Life 180

The Seven Pillars of an App Business 181

Your Daily Routine 185

Afterword: JUMP! 187

Resources 191

Website 191

Market News and Research 191

Help Guides and Tutorials 192

Top Mobile App Development Outsourcing Sites 193

Developer Platforms 193

Acknowledgments 195

About the Author 197

Index 199

Chad Mureta is the founder of Empire Apps, and cofounder of T3 Apps and Best Apps, mobile application businesses that he created without a background in technology. Within two years and while traveling all over the world, he spearheaded the development and marketing of forty–six apps, which were downloaded over 35 million times worldwide. As an author, speaker, consultant, and entrepreneur, Mureta′s unique insight, experience, and tenacity have enabled him to make his businesses thrive, all while in his twenties.

"If you are considering venturing into this field, you should buy this book – and study it." (About.com, April 2012)