Reviews are the absolute social proof that can convince any new users to download and install your app. No reviews or even worse negative ones not only looks bad, there’s no way you're going to beat your competition.. Also, writing your own reviews yourself from multiple accounts is not a good idea, but there are some ways to get your first positive reviews.
My favorite way to score a quick 20-25 reviews is going to Toucharcade.com and sign up to use their forum. TouchArcade is better known as an iOS/Mac app review place, but they do have an Android section in their forum. Make sure to go to their sub forum for contests. Now, get yourself either two $25 itune gift cards or send the 2 winners $25 each. Now, before you start this contest please look over their forum rules and adhere to their rules exactly and you'll be fine with running this contest. You should run a High score contest. If you prefer more than 25 reviews then you should increase the rewards and/or have more than 2 winners. If you don't have a game app. You can run any type of contest where you'll randomly pick a few winners after they provide proof that they left you a 5 star rating and review.
For example, Hi Guys!
I just released this app ( Insert App name)
(Insert Screenshot of your app here)
Rate and Review the app for $25 via Paypal. There will be 2 winners or chose more for higher turn out!
Insert Rules Below Here:
1. Download app here (app store link)
2. Leave a review on the app store
3. Reply back here with your username and country you reviewed app
4. Contest Ends: Month/Date/ Time PST or EST
5. Winner will be chosen and proof posted in post here using RandomResult.com on day after contest ends
6. The way you choose your winner is simply copy all the participant's usernames. Choose Pick Items on RandomResult.com and Paste all the usernames in the form field. Make sure to change the number of winners below to 2 or whatever number you prefer. Then hit draw now button and your 2 winners are selected randomly.
7. Take a screenshot of the winners and post that to your forum post.
8. Private Message each winner and get their emails so you can send them their rewards. Make sure to pay your winners quickly or they can turn on you real fast!
More Strategies
Are you aware that your user's keywords they use in their reviews are indexed by the App Stores? Well, It's true. It's a shocker I know. What does this really mean? It means this can have a big impact on your downloads and overall exposure. Listen closely, it's old school to have a pop up asking would you please rate this app and leave a review. What if I told you you can actually guide your user to give you a 4 or a coveted 5 star review? Here's the strategy, simply ask your user how they are enjoying your app. If the user chooses 1 to 3 stars, you immediately take them to your feedback form. Now, if they chose 4 or 5 stars, you then ask these users to leave you a review and are quickly directed to your app store website. This way you know that you are getting a positive review 100% of the time! I've included a sweet free tool online that will help you out with this strategy called SARate on Github. How cool is that Ninja Strategy to securing Only Positive 4 and 5 star reviews and ratings for your App.
This way you are preventing the majority of any negative reviews from being posted, since those users will be sent to your feedback form where you can personally address their concerns and assure them that you will take care of them as soon as possible, and thereby hopefully preventing them from leaving a negative review.
Another strategy that app developers are using with success is time your pop up asking for a review when your user has just had a positive experience happen to them inside your app, for example, just after they finished a level would be the perfect time to ask them for a review and rating.
Be sure to check the Recommended Links below. Okay, I'll see you in the next lecture.
Recommended Links:
Appirater - https://blog.sensortower.com/blog/2013/09/04/get-more-ios-app-store-reviews-with-these-three-tools-two-are-free/ ( Free To Use - Increase Your App Store Reviews)
Appsfire - http://appsfire.com/
iRate - http://www.binpress.com/app/irate-prompt-users-to-rate-your-app/616 (Free To Use - Prompts Your Users To Leave A Rating)
Free App Review Monitor Tool Here - Will send you all your reviews right to your channel or email