Transcript for the 5/19/13 #storyappchat: iTunes Descriptions

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Quiet little chat last night, but still filled with good information, thought-provoking questions, and valuable opinions from the #storyappchat community. Peruse the chat in its entirety via the transcript above, and be sure to join us every Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT for high-quality discussion every week about storybook apps and ebooks for kids!

Topic for the 5/19/13 #storyappchat: Making Your iTunes Description Effective

When was the last time you updated your iTunes app (or iBook) description? It may seem like a no-brainer, but this blank canvas of text can help interested people get a better idea of what your app is all about, or it can leave folks scratching their heads in confusion. How long should it be? What should be included?

Let’s use the next #storyappchat to discuss what should and shouldn’t go into your iTunes description, how often it should be updated, and other ways to make this valuable developer tool lead to increased sales and happier users. We’ll ramp things up this Sunday evening (May 19) at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific time, so don’t miss it!

Transcript for the 4.28.13 #storyappchat: Kindle as App Alternative

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There are certainly some advantages to the practice of creating the Kindle version of a story first, then going ahead with the app version later, if desired. We talked about the pros and cons of this approach in our recent chat, and you can follow along in the transcript above.

Also, it looks like we ought to have another chat focused on music and sound, based on the other comments made during this discussion. Remember, we do this (nearly!) every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific, so make plans to join us. Next week we’ll welcome illustrator Eli Noyes, so don’t miss it!

Transcript for the 4/14/13 #storyappchat: App Review and Curation Sites

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Apparently the #storyappchat faithful are pretty passionate about this topic, because we had several of our regulars weighing in last night about the pros and cons of both app review sites and app curation sites. In fact, we probably could’ve kept going for another entire hour, which means we’ll probably revisit this topic in a few months.

Couldn’t join us? It’s all there in the transcript above for your reading enjoyment. Make plans to stop by next Sunday, April 21 for the next chat. We’ll kick things off at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific!

Topic for the 4/14/13 #storyappchat: App Review and Curation Sites

We’re all familiar with app review sites. These are the places, usually run by parents as a labor of love, where you can (hopefully) get the owners to post a short review of your storybook app, helping to spread the word. Getting a favorable mention on one or more of these is essential to any app’s marketing and PR plan. Two of our favorites are (of course) Digital Storytime and The iMums, although there are many others.

But what about sites designed to curate apps? These are similar, but different in that instead of an actual review, usually your app is mentioned in a larger list of related apps, or placed in a category alongside similar, recommended apps. One example of this is the Appolicious site, where you can find reader-curated lists of all types, such as “Best iPad Apps for Teachers” and many more. In addition, sites like Pinterest aren’t exclusively focused on apps, but can serve as curation sites just the same.

Let’s talk about app review sites and app curation sites during the next #storyappchat this Sunday, April 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. It’s easy to take part in the chat: just start tweeting and include the #storyappchat hashtag! We’ll keep the lights on for you.

Transcript for the 3/31/13 #storyappchat: Ron Martinez

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Illuminating chat last night, not just about the capabilities of Aerbook, but also about the current state of children’s app/ebook publishing in general, and where we might be headed. Huge thanks to @RonMartinez [Aerbook's founder] for helming our discussion–I think Aerbook is definitely a platform to keep an eye on over the next several months.

Remember, we hold our little roundtable every Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific, so clear some space in your calendar for the next chat, OK?

Guest Host for the 3/31/13 #storyappchat: Ron Martinez

The tools available to writers/illustrators of interactive books continue to evolve. One of the most exciting new packages to come out recently is Aerbook Cloud Publishing, a browser-based platform which allows you to export content in a number of different formats, including iBooks, Kindle, and iOS/Nook/Fire app projects.

The founder of Aerbook is Ron Martinez, and we’re thrilled to have him host this Sunday’s #storyappchat. Among other things, he’ll answer our questions about the migration of app-like experiences to the eBook store, the differences in discovery and pricing, and what the limitations and opportunities are across the various platforms. And if the topic isn’t enough to interest you, Ron will be giving away some export credits for those who are able to pop into the chat.

Don’t miss this one! We’ll kick things off at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific this Sunday, March 31. Looking forward to seeing YOU there!

Transcript for the 3/24/13 #storyappchat: Roxie Munro

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Roxie Munro guest hosted a dynamite chat last night! We had lots of great questions, and were treated to a healthy dose of Roxie’s wit and wisdom. If you were able to stop by, you know what I’m talking about–and if you weren’t, it’s all there in the transcript above.

Don’t forget, we get together every Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Make plans to join us for the next one (3/31/13), when we’ll welcome Ron Martinez from Aerbook!

Transcript for the 3/17/13 #storyappchat: Website as Marketing Tool

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We covered a lot of ground last night: from website basics to WordPress to blog tours! Big thanks to Annie Fox who popped in to tell us about her recent blog tour, and for all the others who came to share their expertise and war stories.

If you weren’t able to make it (or if you were and you just need a record of all the linky goodness), please enjoy the transcript above with our compliments. And be sure to join us next (and every) Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific!

Topic for the 3/17/13 #storyappchat: Website as Marketing Tool

A website is a website is a website, right? I mean: everybody knows that as content creators, we need to have a website, with a few of the basic pages (About, Contact Us, Buy My App!), so when people want more information, it’ll be out there for the world (and all the search engines) to pick up?

Not so fast. Like any other good (dare I say essential?) marketing tool, the list of best practices for creating and maintaining a website evolves. What may have served admirably in 2006 could be outdated now. If you’ve recently revamped your site (or need to), or are just getting yours off the ground, this is the chat for you!

Let’s compile our own list of Marketing Website Best Practices during the next #storyappchat, THIS Sunday (St. Patrick’s Day! March 17) at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Pacific. Just start using the #storyappchat hashtag on Twitter to join us, OK?