Thought I'd start this as I love making apps but monitization is the key ;) Here are some ideas of what I do, would love for you all to chip in, with what works for you and more ideas I've missed...... 1. Paid iOS apps - I've found these best suited to niche or serious type apps. Haven't really found or heard of them working well for fun / entertainment or games apps. Free apps seem to work much better in these categories. 2. Free iOS apps - I think definitely the market on iOS is moving this way... look at the number of top grossing apps & most are free. Monitise using: - in-app purchases, more features or buy coins etc in games - ads..... eCPM = earnings per thousand impressions 3. Ads - click on banners Admob, iAds - pretty low eCPMs on iOS, about $2 which isn't great. PPI (pay per install) Ads - Chartboost full screens: Definitely better than admob, iads, etc, some people do pretty well (>$10 eCPM)> I think the secret is to get over 20,000 downloads with a game, get onto their direct deals and then you can make more money. Good on iOS, haven't tried on Android. PPI Ads - Revmob full screen, 'more games' button & banner ads. Supposed the highest eCPM... I've found it varies, def gives Chartboost a run for their money. Some people swear by revmob. Good on iOS, haven't the figures for Android yet. 4. More screens: This is an extra screen in your app that looks a bit like the app store and has a list of apps (your own, or promoted apps you will get paid for if someone downloads them). You can put a more screen in your app for free using chartboost.com. TIP: Do not put in your other apps here. Put in chartboost promoted apps. You will make more $$. 5. iOS Affiliate programs: linkshare, tradedoubler & DGM - these are all iOS affiliates. (I don't think there are any google affiliates). basically you get a special link and if someone clicks on it, you will get 5% of ANY sales they make in iTunes over the next 72 hours. Use georiot.com to make these work the best globally. In theory this all sounds great. In practise I haven't found that I've made much money from these programs. 6. Android: Paid niche apps: I have these on google play & amazon. They sell 3 times more on amazon. When making android apps, from what I've heard people really only seem to want free apps. If anyone has been successful monitising free android apps please let us know what you recommend. Ok that's all I can think of for now, probably missed a few :) Looking forward to hearing your ways of earning money from apps in the store.

Great share elaine. Sadly I have known about these and have not done it yet. But with the recent forum post of how much you can monitize on free apps is insane! I have a question for you....do you put chartboost and revmob in your app or just one? I have recently heard of flurry as well....but I am not sure if that is for advertising & analytics.I do know there is a quite a bunch of analytic and keyword strategies as well. Be interested in hearing what folks say about it....or if they keep their cards close. Could you explain a bit more #4....I am not sure I follow...Strobe has a great third party plug in that I want to implement just for this reason...is this html or in the code? Thanks again ! -Sheri

"the recent forum post of how much you can monitize on free apps is insane!" Do you have a link? :) Now I put revmob & chartboost in my apps. (can't figure out how to put CB into buzztouch apps but hope to soon!) I use chartboost for my more screens. I used revmob for the 'more games' button. Then depending I use one of them for the full screen nags if its a free app. 4: More screens. Its a screen in your app that looks like you are in the app store. You can set one up for free using chartboost (if you can integrate the bugger!!). You have two choices. a) include links to apps you have made & use linkshare affiliate for extra $ b) include links to apps from the chartboost marketplace. When anyone installs one of these apps you get paid. I made $15 in under 12 hours today when I started to do this. I used just have my own apps on this page. :) Elaine

http://www.buzztouch.com/forum/thread.php?tid=FCA851FE09B516B9C76519D&fid=06DB0BCB08E8888&sortColumn=FT.id&sortUpDown=DESC&currentPage=1 Aw got it! Thanks! On my way to revamp those apps! -sheri

Be careful with #4. Especially when you say "looks like you are in the app store". Apple has a rule against that. "Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected" I haven't had a problem with it thus far, but it may be the way I word the screens.

I use the chartboost template. If it is an issue hopefully they'll redesign :)

The google keyword tool is definitely handy - https://adwords.google.com/o/Targeting/Explorer?__c=1000000000&__u=1000000000&ideaRequestType=KEYWORD_IDEAS Just type in any word and it shows you how often it gets searched. I always have it open when I'm figuring out what keywords to use in my app descriptions

I use this as well for keywords: http://appcod.es/

@Elaine: Rockstar! Congrats on the cool mention in this... http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/1009/1224325053108.html

Woah that's awesome..haha you should post more tips!

Ha thanks :) Normal work was getting quiet last May so decided to quit & spend the summer outsourcing apps. It's been interesting lol. Absenstia, I can actually tell you everything I did! I made a 7 hour video course going through how to make & market (mainly) iphone apps a few weeks ago: http://ude.my/bq9rm Ping me and I'll send you on a code :) Elaine

@Elaine: I would love to see this course. Also, any chance buzztouch gets a mention in your "Make and Market iPhone Apps" course? Cool if it does, OK if doesn't, it's a complicated landscape!

I'm pretty sure it does but the course was more about me outsourcing this summer & the perils of that!! :) Very happy to put in a buzztouch video too if you want, I can do one now & upload it later :) I'll ping you a code.

@Elaine: Cool, send me a code so I can learn some stuff, super interested to hear some of your approaches on some general topics. Don't alter the thing if BT isn't mentioned, it's not necessary and it's not important. In fact, sometimes it's easier if it's not! LOL. I was asking because sometimes we get emails from folks that "came from a lesson" somewhere and it's nice to have some context when they need help understanding things about BT that the lesson didn't cover, or did cover in a particular way. I'm super stoked to learn about chocolate labs, your successes, and your decision to go "all in" with this stuff. Hard to imagine it'll be two years in December since you starting tinkering with Xcode and Eclipse - time goes by so fast. Looking forward to seeing you in another two. Who knows where you could end up! Big smile.

Jeez no, I briefly mention DIY builders, so would LOVE to do a video on buzztouch as I'm sure lots of people would love to know a cost effective way to start making apps, as an alternative to outsourcing. I'd be honored, if it wasn't for you guys I would not be doing this & I'd be stuck in a job I didn't like. Check out the other app courses on Udemy, there's definitely one or two BT courses on there that are doing very well. Yeah 2 years ..... you have no idea how high I jumped that New Years Eve when I saw my first app published on Google at about 11.58pm!! Elaine

Cool, ill happily take a code :) , I'm excited to check it out

Never knew about udemy! Awesome resource!

Good day all, this be me first post and tbh brand new to the whole scene of Apps that is. Read through this post as the marketing (money make) idea grabbed my attention. Noted that Android apps seem to be be uniquely free at the moment but think the tide might be turning on that from what I read, also Android devices being switched on has recently overtaken Apple? If someone else could confirm this would be welcome. I am based in the Scottish Borders region and very little work to be found so turned my head to this. Have been advised that apps that books that have an interactive feel around the apps could be sold as opposed for "Free". I am currently working on my first app but this app will be a book where by the users will be able to visit links etc etc that are in the book... Anyways that be my thoughts just stopping by to say hello JPRocks :)

oopsee

What a great set of tips elaine, and other forum posters! I have only just started today on buzztouch and have very little idea about app development, but do have the enthusiasm, which is a start. We all want to make some money though, even if a little bit, don't we.I hadn't heard of Udemy either and just had a look - looks brilliant, thanks so much for that. What a steep learning curve I have to climb..

Sounds interesting Elaine: How have you found outsourcing apps vs DIYing it? It sounds like you outsource mostly but still manage to use Buzztouch - is that by getting contractors to code for BT plugins or using the BT as the template? I guess this would allow the outsourcer to easily do the monetization bit themselves at the end of the process in xcode because of the BT forums and support...

About ChartBoost and the More screen, is it possible to include *any* app from the App Store in my More screen and earn LinkShare affiliate income? Or am I limited to apps in the ChartBoost marketplace? My app (my first, which will be ready to submit for review soon) is in the medical/fitness niche, and ChartBoost looks like it's all about games. If ChartBoost won't let you choose any app you want for a More screen, are there alternatives that will? Thanks! (Just joined Buzztouch after coming across this thread. Looks like a great community.)

Buzz touch is fantastic. It's a great community and an app builder.

AppOneBeta - I started with BT, learned how to reskin & upload apps thought that. Then outsourced a few bespoke apps. For the BT apps, I don't outsource I do them myself cos I can :) boywithk9 - "About ChartBoost and the More screen, is it possible to include *any* app from the App Store in my More screen and earn LinkShare affiliate income?" Yes. Sign up with linkshare/groriot/tradedoubler & DGM. All do the same thing in different countries, and georiot organises them all. Then pick any app in the store, generate a georiot link for it, put that in chartboost and if someone clicks on your link to angry birds, you'll get a very small cut (5% of any sales over 72 hours). Ninja tip - you'll make more money though using chartboost games in the more screen, than using linkshare on random apps. Elaine.

Thanks, Elaine!

Hey! Go check out FeaturePoints on iOS and use my link https://featurepoints.com/r/QZQY2J to earn 50 bonus points. Get points for trying free apps, and redeem those points for awesome rewards including Amazon.com and iTunes gift cards, PayPal payments or even an iPad mini.

@Elaine: very informative post. How did you put Charboost promoted apps on your more screen?

You set up a marketplace campaign in chartboost then type in its name a few times in the more screen. I've videos done if the whole thing actually, PM me if you'd like a promo code :) http://ude.my/bvb04 I've started doing a few games now which are fun! I've got some more tips on monitization on my blog http://www.thechocolatelabapps.com I tend to post them as they work :)

Thanks! I never realised you could put campaigns in the more screen. What kind of revenue do you get from clicks to Chartboost promoted apps in the screen?

I find Revmob adlinks have higher eCPMs.

Thanks again, Elaine. The course looks great. I'd love a promo code but I can't seem to send you a PM.

You're from Ireland :) email me via the blog and ill send you a code. Can't PM you here either.

Hi, I just wanted to say that it is thanks to Elaine that I first found out the BT website. I found the free Udemy course on BT (in Carter's blog), and even though I didnt watch the video (was too skeptical already about all those DIY sites), I bookmarked and fell in love a week later :) Now here I am! @Elaine I have read most of your blog, and love it almost as I love chocolate... Very excited to see you now here at BT. You are a great inspiration, Elaine, thank you very much! All the best, Salamandra

Hi Salamandra, Aw thanks! Buzztouch ROCKS and Carter is a legend. Do everything his blog says :) Good luck with your apps! Elaine.

:) Thanks! Keep it growing! Salamandra