App Marketing by App Masters

Steve Young

Discover app marketing growth hacks from the top app publishers. Learn the secrets of app store optimization, app store features, and online marketing to drive more downloads for your mobile app.

  1. 4h ago

    The Influencer Marketing Math That Made Cal AI Profitable

    How much should you actually pay an influencer? And more importantly, how do you make sure influencer marketing stays profitable when a video goes viral? Jake from Cal AI breaks down the numbers behind their influencer marketing strategy, from negotiating cross-platform deals and setting base rates to structuring view-based bonuses and knowing when to stop paying for additional views. We also dive into why you shouldn't blindly copy a $X CPM benchmark. Instead, Jake explains how to use RPM (revenue per thousand views) to determine what you can actually afford to pay. And when a video takes off? That’s where things get really interesting. Jake explains why Cal AI caps view bonuses around the 1M-view mark, why viral views become less valuable as content reaches a broader audience, and how the team tracks downloads and revenue when millions of influencer videos are circulating across social platforms. You’ll discover: ✅ How Cal AI negotiates influencer rates and cross-platform posting ✅ How to structure a base rate & performance bonus ✅ The difference between paid ads, influencer marketing, and UGC ✅ Why you should focus on RPM instead of chasing a “good” CPM ✅ How to calculate whether your influencer campaigns can actually be profitable ✅ How Cal AI tracks downloads and performance from viral influencer content ✅ How to use early campaign data to build a repeatable influencer playbook The big lesson: Don't ask, “What CPM should I pay influencers?” Ask, “What can my business afford to pay based on the revenue those views generate?” Jake's newsletter: https://operatorsnotebook.beehiiv.com/ 🚀 Need help growing your app? App Masters: https://www.appmasters.com You can also watch this video here: https://youtu.be/LN7_9TAoyKY ********************************************* SPONSORS Built an app nobody's finding? Distribution beats product — and UGC video ads are how apps get it. MaxFusion makes AI UGC video ads in minutes: pick an actor, write the script, and test ten hooks for the cost of one creator video. Start testing at: https://maxfusion.ai/?via=appmasters ********************************************* Mobile apps grow subscription revenue with web2app funnels, but building them in-house takes months. web2wave gives you an all-in-one no-code platform to launch in days: • AI funnel generation and a drag-and-drop quiz builder • 100+ payment integrations • Trends to see what's winning in your category, plus AI creative generation to turn it into ads • Built-in analytics and A/B testing • Growth services if you'd rather the team build and run your funnels for you Create your web2app funnel for free at: https://web2wave.com/ ********************************************* Follow us: YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠ *********************************************

    The Influencer Marketing Math That Made Cal AI Profitable
  2. 3d ago

    How a Full-Time Teacher Built a Nearly $1M App Business

    What if you could build a nearly $1 MILLION app business while working a full-time job? In this episode, we are joined by Eric Duffett, a full-time teacher and mobile app developer who has built a nearly $1M app business with his Golf GPS app, Shot Pattern, all while balancing teaching, coaching, and app development. We'll dive into the growth strategies behind his success, including ugly ads that drive results, paywall experiments that improve conversions, and the lessons he's learned building and monetizing mobile apps. From testing different ad creatives to optimizing subscription paywalls, we'll explore what actually moves the needle when you're growing an app business without a massive team or budget. If you're an indie app developer, solo founder, or building an app alongside your 9-to-5, this is a must-watch! You will discover: ✅ How a full-time teacher built a nearly $1M app business ✅ Why simple, "ugly" ads can outperform polished creatives ✅ How to experiment with different ad concepts to find what converts ✅ Paywall experiments and strategies for improving subscription conversions ✅ Common mistakes indie app founders should avoid when testing ads and paywalls ✅ Practical growth and monetization strategies you can apply to your own app Learn More: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-duffett/ https://shotpattern.app/ 🚀 Need help growing your app? App Masters: https://www.appmasters.com You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/NE4EcybP1d0 ********************************************* SPONSORS Mobile apps grow subscription revenue with web2app funnels, but building them in-house takes months. web2wave gives you an all-in-one no-code platform to launch in days: • AI funnel generation and a drag-and-drop quiz builder • 100+ payment integrations • Trends to see what's winning in your category, plus AI creative generation to turn it into ads • Built-in analytics and A/B testing • Growth services if you'd rather the team build and run your funnels for you Create your web2app funnel for free at: https://web2wave.com/ ********************************************* The app growth playbook is changing fast. AppsFlyer’s State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4. Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM ********************************************* Follow us: YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠ *********************************************

    How a Full-Time Teacher Built a Nearly $1M App Business
  3. Oct 20

    Before You Spend $1 on Meta Ads, Watch This

    Thinking about running Meta Ads for your app? Before you spend a single dollar, make sure these 7 things are in place. Meta Ads can help you scale your app, but if your funnel isn't converting, your tracking is broken, or your lifetime value (LTV) is too low, you could burn through your budget without getting results. In this video, Steve P. Young shares the 7 things you need to check before launching Meta Ads, including the conversion benchmarks, tracking setup, and ad creative strategy he uses with app founders. Whether you're running Meta Ads for the first time or trying to avoid expensive mistakes, save this checklist before launching your next campaign! You'll Discover: ✅ The conversion benchmarks your app should hit before scaling paid traffic. ✅ Why you should aim for 5–10% trial activation, 30%+ trial-to-paid conversion, and around 2% install-to-paid conversion. ✅ Why validating your funnel with ASO or Apple Ads can help before investing heavily in Meta. ✅ How to verify your install, paywall view, checkout, trial, and subscription events. ✅ How to use Meta Ads Library to find competitor ads that have been running for months. ✅ How to estimate installs, trials, and subscribers from a $1,000 ad budget. ✅ The final checklist to help you avoid wasting ad spend on Meta Ads. The Big Takeaway: Meta Ads amplify what you've already built. Make sure your funnel converts, your tracking works, and your unit economics make sense before you try to scale. Coming in Part 2: We'll walk through the actual Meta Ads campaign setup, budgeting, and optimization process so you can launch your first campaign with confidence. What's the biggest challenge you're facing with Meta Ads right now? Let us know in the comments! 🚀 Need help growing your app? App Masters: https://www.appmasters.com You can also watch this video here: https://youtu.be/2jH64ziB7uM ********************************************* SPONSORS Built an app nobody's finding? Distribution beats product — and UGC video ads are how apps get it. MaxFusion makes AI UGC video ads in minutes: pick an actor, write the script, and test ten hooks for the cost of one creator video. Start testing at: https://maxfusion.ai/?via=appmasters ********************************************* Mobile apps grow subscription revenue with web2app funnels, but building them in-house takes months. web2wave gives you an all-in-one no-code platform to launch in days: • AI funnel generation and a drag-and-drop quiz builder • 100+ payment integrations • Trends to see what's winning in your category, plus AI creative generation to turn it into ads • Built-in analytics and A/B testing • Growth services if you'd rather the team build and run your funnels for you Create your web2app funnel for free at: https://web2wave.com/ ********************************************* Follow us: YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠ *********************************************

    Before You Spend $1 on Meta Ads, Watch This
  4. Oct 17

    The Secrets to Web2App Growth (And the Risks Nobody Talks About)

    Web2App is changing how mobile apps acquire users and convert them into paying subscribers. But are you prepared for the risks that come with it? In this episode, Igor Lyubimov, Founder & CEO of web2wave, joins us to break down the realities of web2app funnels, from building high-converting paywalls to managing payments, compliance, chargebacks, and cancellation flows. We’ll explore where web-to-app is heading, the biggest mistakes app businesses need to avoid, and how tools like ad spying and domain analysis can help you understand what's working in the market. If you're building a subscription app or exploring web-to-app, this is a must-watch. Get practical insights into the opportunities, risks, and strategies shaping the future of mobile app monetization. You will discover: ✅ What Web2App is and where the model is heading in 2026 ✅ How web-based paywalls can help convert traffic into paying subscribers ✅ The key compliance risks every app founder should understand ✅ How to approach payment orchestration and reduce payment friction ✅ The biggest Web2App problems and mistakes to avoid ✅ What app founders should consider before moving subscription payments to the web Learn More: 👉 Web2Wave: https://web2wave.com/ 🚀 Need help growing your app? App Masters: https://www.appmasters.com You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/v76CSmEGNu8 ********************************************* SPONSORS Built an app nobody's finding? Distribution beats product — and UGC video ads are how apps get it. MaxFusion makes AI UGC video ads in minutes: pick an actor, write the script, and test ten hooks for the cost of one creator video. Start testing at: https://maxfusion.ai/?via=appmasters ********************************************* The app growth playbook is changing fast. AppsFlyer’s State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4. Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM ********************************************* Follow us: YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠ *********************************************

    The Secrets to Web2App Growth (And the Risks Nobody Talks About)
  5. Oct 13

    How Cal AI Scaled Influencer Marketing Without Killing Views

    How do you scale influencer marketing without turning every creator video into an expensive infomercial? Jake from Cal AI breaks down how the team approached influencer marketing, why brands often get influencer campaigns wrong, and how they found the sweet spot between creative freedom, product integration, views, and conversions. Instead of forcing creators into a brand-approved format, Cal AI let influencers create the content their audience already loved, then tested exactly how and when the app should be integrated. We also get into the testing mindset behind it all: taking big bets, finding the right integration point, and understanding that what works for one app may completely fail for another. You’ll discover: ✅ The difference between influencer marketing and UGC app marketing ✅ How Cal AI integrated the product without making videos feel like ads ✅ Why the “right” integration timestamp is different for every app ✅ How to calculate influencer campaigns without blindly relying on average views ✅ How Cal AI approached high-risk, high-reward experiments Jake's newsletter: https://operatorsnotebook.beehiiv.com/ 🚀 Need help growing your app? App Masters: https://www.appmasters.com You can also watch this video here: https://youtu.be/DaqmMbCKkeA ********************************************* SPONSORS Mobile apps grow subscription revenue with web2app funnels, but building them in-house takes months. web2wave gives you an all-in-one no-code platform to launch in days: • AI funnel generation and a drag-and-drop quiz builder • 100+ payment integrations • Trends to see what's winning in your category, plus AI creative generation to turn it into ads • Built-in analytics and A/B testing • Growth services if you'd rather the team build and run your funnels for you Create your web2app funnel for free at: https://web2wave.com/ ********************************************* The app growth playbook is changing fast. AppsFlyer’s State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4. Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM ********************************************* Follow us: YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠ *********************************************

    How Cal AI Scaled Influencer Marketing Without Killing Views
  6. Oct 10

    How Reframe Scaled to $10M+ ARR

    How do you take a habit-change app from MVP to 200K subscribers and $10M+ ARR? In this episode, Vedant Pradeep, co-founder of Reframe, breaks down the growth journey behind one of the most successful subscription apps in the habit-change space. We dive into retention, subscription strategy, product improvements, user behavior, data-driven decisions, and organic growth strategies that helped Reframe scale from an MVP to millions of downloads. He’ll also share the lessons, experiments, and strategies that helped Reframe build a product people stick with and a subscription app business that scales. If you're building a subscription app, this is a must-watch You will discover : ✅ How Reframe went from MVP to 100K+ users and $10M+ ARR ✅ What actually drives retention in a habit-change app ✅ How Reframe designed and optimized its subscription model ✅ Lessons from building a habit-changing product people stick with ✅ What Reframe learned from scaling to millions of downloads ✅ Key lessons from building a subscription app from the ground up Learn More: Reframe: https://www.reframeapp.com/ Connect with Vedant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vedantpradeep/ 🚀 Need help growing your app? App Masters: https://www.appmasters.com You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/IDeaUk_8I8E ********************************************* SPONSORS Mobile apps grow subscription revenue with web2app funnels, but building them in-house takes months. web2wave gives you an all-in-one no-code platform to launch in days: • AI funnel generation and a drag-and-drop quiz builder • 100+ payment integrations • Trends to see what's winning in your category, plus AI creative generation to turn it into ads • Built-in analytics and A/B testing • Growth services if you'd rather the team build and run your funnels for you Create your web2app funnel for free at: https://web2wave.com/ ********************************************* The app growth playbook is changing fast. AppsFlyer’s State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4. Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM ********************************************* Follow us: YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠ *********************************************

    How Reframe Scaled to $10M+ ARR
  7. Oct 6

    This Breathing App Sold to Peloton for $2M

    Get 50% off ScreenDesign: https://screensdesign.com/?ref=appmastersWhat if staying niche is actually the path to a big acquisition? In this video, Steve P. Young breaks down how Breathwrk, a niche breathing-exercises app, was reportedly acquired by Peloton for millions of dollars, and why app founders shouldn’t be afraid to start small and focused.We’ll look at how Breathwrk built its product around a specific use case, ranked for keywords like “breath work” and “breathing exercises,” and used engaging onboarding, animations, personalization, and a paywall to turn users into customers.Steve also compares the app before and after the Peloton acquisition to show what changed, what stayed the same, and what founders can learn from the journey.You’ll discover:✅ How a niche breathing app turned into a multi-million-dollar acquisition✅ Why going niche can be a powerful app growth strategy✅ How animations and interactive onboarding can improve the user experience✅ How personalization can drive engagement during onboarding✅ Why founders should consider a “bottoms-up” strategy instead of starting too broad✅ How a niche app can eventually expand into larger wellness categories Get 50% off ScreenDesign: https://screensdesign.com/?ref=appmasters 🚀 Need help growing your app? App Masters: https://www.appmasters.com You can also watch this video here: https://youtu.be/aI0lufLXbKg ********************************************* SPONSORS Mobile apps grow subscription revenue with web2app funnels, but building them in-house takes months. web2wave gives you an all-in-one no-code platform to launch in days: • AI funnel generation and a drag-and-drop quiz builder • 100+ payment integrations • Trends to see what's winning in your category, plus AI creative generation to turn it into ads • Built-in analytics and A/B testing • Growth services if you'd rather the team build and run your funnels for you Create your web2app funnel for free at: https://web2wave.com/ ********************************************* The app growth playbook is changing fast. AppsFlyer’s State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4. Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM ********************************************* Follow us: YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠ *********************************************

    This Breathing App Sold to Peloton for $2M
  8. Oct 3

    AI and Growth in Regulated Markets

    What happens to the growth playbook when your market puts real limits on targeting, claims, and data use? We are joined by Vivek Girotra, who has led growth across consumer technology and fintech and is now co-founder and CEO of SurpassMD, a metabolic health company. He joins Steve Young to discuss how to build effective performance marketing in regulated industries, drawing on five years in fintech and his current experience in healthcare. They'll get practical about campaign strategy, privacy-conscious measurement, segmentation, and retention. They'll also explore why the outcome that matters in healthcare goes beyond a click or checkout to the quality of the care and support that follows. You Will Discover: ✅ How restrictions change a growth strategy and the signals a team can use. ✅ How to build useful feedback loops when standard targeting options are limited. ✅ How healthcare adds claims, privacy, and care handoffs to the acquisition funnel. ✅ How segmentation and retention can improve relevance without undermining trust. ✅ What fintech and healthcare teach us about sustainable growth in regulated markets. Learn More: SurpassMD: www.surpassmd.com Vivek Girotra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekgirotra/ 🚀 Need help growing your app? App Masters: https://www.appmasters.com You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/gup5jTQXic0 ********************************************* SPONSORS Mobile apps grow subscription revenue with web2app funnels, but building them in-house takes months. web2wave gives you an all-in-one no-code platform to launch in days: • AI funnel generation and a drag-and-drop quiz builder • 100+ payment integrations • Trends to see what's winning in your category, plus AI creative generation to turn it into ads • Built-in analytics and A/B testing • Growth services if you'd rather the team build and run your funnels for you Create your web2app funnel for free at: https://web2wave.com/ ********************************************* The app growth playbook is changing fast. AppsFlyer’s State of eCommerce App Marketing Report 2026 breaks down the latest trends, benchmarks, fraud insights, and market-by-market data every app marketer should know before planning Q4. Download it free from the link below: https://bit.ly/4uvoHGM ********************************************* Follow us: YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠ *********************************************

    AI and Growth in Regulated Markets
4.7
out of 5
139 Ratings

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Discover app marketing growth hacks from the top app publishers. Learn the secrets of app store optimization, app store features, and online marketing to drive more downloads for your mobile app.

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