In this episode we talk about bugs, betas, and the power of Twitter.
Please note: in the video Jer says that hopefully the beta for Grades 2.0 will be ready by the time this video comes out. Now, the video is out but the beta isn’t. We’re working on it. It’s almost there.
Here’s episode 4 of “An App Story.” This time we talk about how and why we are using the iAd model rather than the $1 model we used for Grades 1.0.
Mentioned in the video:
By the way, we have a YouTube Channel you can follow.
In case you missed it on Twitter, I posted another Grades 2 preview screenshot on Dribble yesterday. I’ve been working on refining the look and feel just as I’m finishing up programming the main functionality.
This shot introduces one of my favorite (yet unannounced) features of Grades 2.0… anyone guess what it is?
It’s not final until it’s on the app store and very well may go through who knows how many more iterations as I get more feedback but please let me know what you think. If you’ve got a Dribbble account and happen to like the shot, check it’s Dribbble page and give it some “like” love – as of this posting it just needs a few more votes to hit page 1 of the “Popular” section. By the way, I’m learning Dribbble can be another great way to build buzz and get great feedback on your app (sorry I don’t have any invites right now).
Here’s episode 3 of our ongoing video series that takes you behind the scenes of the creation of Grades 2. In this video Jer takes you into the process of designing the interface for the GPA calculator.
UPDATE: By the way, we have continued to iterate on the GPA calculator design so the final version you see here isn’t necessarily the final design. We will need to test these designs with real users before we decide on a final design.
If you would have told us that Grades 1.0.3 would be approved before Christmas we would have said, “Bah! Humbug.” But it’s a wonderful life and, miraculously, it happened. So here is the second episode of “An App Story,” in which Jer talks about this update and how it relates to our marketing strategy for Grades 2.0. (The update includes a video that announces some of 2.0’s cool new features; this video can be found below.)
And here’s the Grades 2 preview video.
—Josh
I’ve decided to use some of my newly found time to not only build Grades 2 but to do it out in the open! My brother, Josh, and I are starting a weekly video highlighting progress, the problems we face, insights into our design and marketing strategies, and who knows what else. It’s a story and I don’t know the ending but we think it’s gonna be a really fun ride and we’re super pumped about it.
This first episode provides some background and covers some marketing related stuff. The Belk College of Business issue I mentioned in the video is actually coming out in January (not this week, as I thought). However, I was just notified that UNC Charlotte Niner News will be posting a story this week.
I’m stupid and just discovered that the name “AppStory” is already being used by an established brand so we’re still considering what to call this thing. I’m not sure if “An App Story” would be different enough so we would love to hear your ideas.
Subscribe to our channel on YouTube (iTunes coming soon) and please keep the conversation going in the comments! What kind of stuff would you like to hear about? This is gonna be fun!
We have completed 96% of the skin-graphics for Grades 2.0. I (Josh) have posted the first teaser screenshot of Grades 2.0.
It doesn’t reveal any new features (although 2.0 will have new features galore). But it will give you a sense of the new look.
Just go to: http://www.gradesapp.com/blog
Introducing Grades Blog
Hi, this is Josh Olson, Jeremy’s brother.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know that Jeremy has spent a lot of time thinking about how to market iPhones apps, with an emphasis on a strong launch.
It worked. But sales have slowed down since the launch. Instead of being depressed, I think this is a fantastic opportunity to discover the secrets to long-term iPhone marketing and profitability. To make Grades profitable in the long-term, in version 2.0 we will be experimenting with iAds and in-app purchases to generate more sustained income (see Jeremy’s post on iAds 1 cent per impression and $2 per click). Because we can’t afford a traditional marketing campaign, our marketing strategy will center around networking on Twitter and on my new Grades blog, where I will be sharing things I’ve learned from college to help students get good grades without excess sweat and stress.
My plan is to reach as many college students as possible through the blog; this will expose them to our app. This will open doors further networking and more exposure in the online college community.
So the story continues. I’ll be posting about what I learn as well as various thoughts on iPhone marketing and design as they come up.
In short: Grades has been prominently featured by Apple in their “New and Noteworthy” section!
A lot of people have been asking me how Grades has been going. My answer so far has been “pretty good for an indy app.” I didn’t want to give any hard numbers until I have more data. I was also waiting for last night because my final card had not yet been played.
Now it has. Apple noticed.
I have been obsessing over ways to get Apple’s attention. A big launch is part of it. Networking with employees on Twitter is another part. But I think the most important technique I found was to build respect in the iPhone developer community (via this blog and Twitter). I think this respect trickled down to Apple.
Grades has been blasting up the charts. At the time of writing Grades is #6 in Education. We’ll see if this is enough to break the top 100. I think it’s possible.
There is still a lot to learn and the journey has just begun but at this point I would like to thank all my friends and fellow developers for all that you have done to help me get to this point. Yeah!
If you’re new, Grades is the app I’ve been working on for a year now. It allows students to see the scores they need on their upcoming assignments, tests, and finals in order to hit the grade they want.
Chances are you’re not a student. If I were you, I would pick up a copy any way. I’ve done my best to practice what I preach so I hope you can draw some inspiration from the UI; I’m doing some things I haven’t seen done in other apps (the whole background scrolls like a drawer, for example).
Get it now for 99 cents (intro price, will discuss later): App Store Link.
And check out the new gradesapp.com.
Let the games begin!
We’re all about designing and marketing successful iOS apps.
Our flagship app, Grades 2, won the coveted Apple Design Award and peaked at #1 free Education app for over a week.
We can design your app for you. We offer award-winning design skill and insanely great development services. Let’s work together to build something great!
