iBook and app comparison

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Level 1

64 points

iBook and app comparison

Thought I'd start this thread as a comparison for the success of my book and app. I just had my book approved today and I am expecting the app version to be approved in the next day or two. I thought i'd put some stats up to show how the downloads of each were going for comparison sake.

The book is a childrens books: The Spider Who Had Never Spun a Web

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/spider-who-had-never-spun/id525705744?mt=11&affI d=1503186

It is a static book, free to download. My app is the exact same story, but also readable on the iphone. It has a more interaction in that you can touch the background and hear the audio as well as recording your own audio. The app will be £0.99. I thought it would be interesting to see how free downloads of the static book on the iBookstore compare with paid downloads of the app on the app store so I will update this thread with results.

Posted on May 18, 2012 6:11 AM

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Answer 1

May 18, 2012 1:34 PM in response to JoeScrivens

Thanks for that, I'm sure a lot of people will be interested in what you learn!

Michi.

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Answer 2

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 19, 2012 12:13 AM in response to MichiHenning

App is now approved

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spider-who-had-never-spun/id526861025?ls=1&mt=8

Awaiting the first day sales on both versions

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Answer 3

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 20, 2012 4:56 AM in response to JoeScrivens

Well first day and I have had 69 free downloads on the ibookstore and only 6 paid downloads of the app on the app store.

Going to make the app free for a while to get reviews and get the app up the ranking system so it gets more visibility. Will see how the direct free download correspondants go.

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Answer 4

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 22, 2012 3:59 AM in response to JoeScrivens

So the first day of both apps free and I had some good downloads on both.

93 downloads on the iBookstore

383 downloads on the app store

The interesting thing to keep my eye on is that I had more downloads of my paid books than usual, wondering if having the free book got my paid books more exposure. Will see if this pattern continues

My plan is to try and get both app and book higher up the ranks then change to paid products so they are more visible

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Answer 5

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 22, 2012 5:16 AM in response to JoeScrivens

2nd day

120 ibook downloads

450 app downloads

no extra book sales, so must have been a coincidence

stats for book

up to number 61 in Childrens and Teens chart US

Made it to New and Noteworthy in Childrens fiction US

57 in childrens fiction

Made it to "New and Noteworthy" in Childrens fiction section UK - currently number 54 (overall in childrens at number 61)

stats for app

up to 128 in app books chart US

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Answer 6

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 23, 2012 5:27 AM in response to JoeScrivens

3rd day

156 ibook downloads

397 app downloads

I did a prmac.com press release yesterday which doesn't seem to have had much effect on the downloads so that was a wasted $20.

Stats for book

Up to 45th spot in childrens and teens US

Up to 41 in Childrens Fiction US

Still in new and noteworthy

Stats for app

Featured in "New" books

down to 171 in books chart iPhone

up to 70 in iPad Books chart

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Answer 7

May 23, 2012 7:45 AM in response to JoeScrivens

Joe,

This is really interesting; please keep it up. Do I understand that neither the app nor the iBook has interactive features? If so, I presume that made the app easier to create. Did you do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you? I continue to be intrigued by the idea of turning my iBook into an app, but it has lots of images and interactives. I know I cannot create the app myself, or at least would rather spend my time creating the content than learning how to build apps.

Thanks.

Jim.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/going-to-extremes/id510211897?mt=11

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Answer 8

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 23, 2012 7:52 AM in response to jamesfrombuellton

actually the app has more interactive features than the book. The book is just flat pages. The app has audio, the ability to record your own voice and you can touch backgrounds to make animations and sounds happen.

I coded it myself

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Answer 9

May 23, 2012 8:10 AM in response to JoeScrivens

Thanks Joe. I downloaded the book and will get the app.

Jim.

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Answer 10

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 23, 2012 10:35 AM in response to jamesfrombuellton

cool,

genuine reviews on itunes appreciated

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Answer 11

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 24, 2012 5:40 AM in response to JoeScrivens

4th day

book - 239 downloads

app - 572 downloads

Stats for book

Up to 34 in childrens and teens US

Up to 30 in Childrens Fiction US

25 in Childrens UK

Still in new and noteworthy

Number 178 in the overall iBook chart

Stats for app

still Featured in "New" books - which is nice as it appears 1st now when you select the book category on the ipad

down to 195 in books chart iPhone

up to 39 in iPad Books chart

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Answer 12

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 25, 2012 5:40 AM in response to JoeScrivens

5th day

book - 258 downloads

app - 664 downloads

Stats for book

Up to 31 in childrens and teens US

Up to 28 in Childrens Fiction US

25 in Childrens UK

Still in new and noteworthy

Number 165 in the overall iBook chart

Stats for app

still Featured in "New" books - which is nice as it appears 1st now when you select the book category on the ipad

up to 26 in iPad Books chart

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Answer 13

May 25, 2012 1:47 PM in response to JoeScrivens

Looks like the app is winning handsomely. Interesting!

Michi.

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Answer 14

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 28, 2012 2:09 AM in response to MichiHenning

well, it's taken a turn now. I don't have the exact numbers as i have been away for the weekend but on friday my app stopped being featured in the books section for new books - i think they change it once a week. This had a massive effect on my downloads and the app only got 200 then 100 downloads each day - the book was downloading at 280 then 389 downloads the last 2 days as it is still featured.

So there you go, having things featured makes a big difference. I'll look for a time when my ibook is no longer featured then compare the stats for downloads

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Answer 15

JoeScrivens Author

Level 1

64 points

May 29, 2012 3:43 AM in response to JoeScrivens

Ok, some interesting changes. I decided to make my app and book for sale instead of free yesterday and this was the result:

iBook sales at $1.99 - 24

app sales at $0.99 - 5

The big difference is due to the fact my book is still featured in the new section of childrens fiction whereas the app is no longer featured. I now wish I had made my app for sale at a charge once it was featured and not for free,

I had assumed that the number of downloads for free would have made sure it stayed high in the charts when I stopped giving it away, so then it would have remained more visible when I did charge for it. However, as soon as it stopped being featured it dissapeared into the app void never to be found again.

You live and learn I suppose

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