This is not required, as it’s an expensive option, but it might be the best way to reach some of your users.

Getting started:

• Websites
  • What are some websites that your users might visit, where you might place an ad?
  • Think of local options to keep the cost down. Consider your school or town website.
• Newspapers, magazines
  • Think local. Does your town have a newspaper? Your school?
  • Your ad should be 
    • eye-catching 
    • explain what your product is for
    • explain why someone should use it.
• Radio or television
  • This can be expensive, so think local.
  • Does your local university or school have a radio station? A local TV station?
  • Local stations sometime feature local people and initiatives

Creating social media accounts for your product is free, but the real work is getting followers and keeping them interested. You’ll have to create interesting posts to engage your users.

Getting Started

• 1. With your parent or guardian’s permission, make a free Facebook page, Instagram, or Twitter account for your product. Remember to review these safety tips for staying safe online.
  2. Add your logo, a picture of your team (optional) and anything else you would like to share.
  3. Make your first post.
  4. Ask friends and family to follow you to get started.
  5. Focus on your target users. What things are they interested in?
  6. Post pictures that illustrate the problem you are solving or interesting pictures of your team.
  7. Use relevant hashtags with your posts.

Word of Mouth Marketing (WOMM) is often the best way to get people to try your product.

92% of Nielsen-surveyed consumers believe their friends and family over any kind of advertising. 

(Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/agency/how-online-word-of-mouth-marketing-is-changing)

Getting Started

• Encourage people to talk about your app.
• Use your friends and family to spread the word.
• Use your local connections to promote your app.
• If you know an important figure or influencer, ask them to speak on behalf of your app.

Try looking for organizations in your community that are trying to solve the same problem as your project. The organization most likely has members or clients they work with who would be willing to try out your product. They can also provide feedback during development! 

Getting Started

• • List organizations or groups in your community or region that are tackling the same problem as your team.
  • Email or phone each organization.
    • include a short description of your project.
    • ask to work with them to solve the problem together.
  • If they do not respond to email, try phoning them to talk directly to a person within the organization.