Comment by coryl | Hacker News Reader

Comment by coryl | Hacker News Reader

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Okay HN'ers, don't get your hopes up. This is a very good marketing ploy from someone very smart on HN. But I don't have all the facts; all I know is that "Annabelle" created "her" account 2 days ago and has no history of participating on HN.

Annabelle, if this was your idea, how did you execute it? Did you write / design anything? Outsource the app? Who are your partners?

It looks like FIPLAB produced the app (http://www.fiplab.com/). The website describes the product as "Need advice on how to reach out to that amazing new girl you can't stop thinking about, or taking things further with that girl you've always had a crush on? We hear you, and that's why we've created 'Dating: Ask a Girl'."

No mention of any Annabelle the character and co-founder, which is a pretty significant piece of the marketing puzzle.

So what I'm guessing is the geniuses at FIPLAB built and spec'd out the app, and got an attractive girl to join their project after the fact (or some variation of this). I'm not saying this to be a dick, your marketing tactics are great, if you carry it through it should pickup some decent press coverage. But come on, this is HN here, you weren't going to get off that easy :D

I thought they are really poor marketing tactics. Its obvious from the first few sentences what it is.

They had me going with the story and background. It's complete and believable, covers everything about the product and some entertaining backdrop about where the idea came from.

If it were true, it is a very mainstream friendly story and could easily be picked up by writers for casual (non-techy) related publications. "College girl makes dating advice iPhone app", its fun and it draws eyeballs.

So? It's still predicated upon bullshit.

Hi coryl, I'm Annabelle, the girl in the actual app. The app idea is mine and I'm the one who speaks in the videos and I also did the script and recording myself (trust me hun, it IS me in the videos!). My high school friends from FIPLAB created the app, which i feel is pretty obvious since its published under their name. :)

But do check out http://www.askagirlapp.com/ as it has my name there!

Hi Annabelle, thanks for replying. Normally I'm not this pessimistic, but the circumstances screamed of suspicion.

So are you going to be managing marketing for this app? What have you planned to try and get coverage?

No worries. Have a pretty basic marketing strategy, gonna promote it via facebook and my Uni friends and try more viral approaches like youtube etc - due to a small/non existent budget! :p Posted on hacker news to get a more business/technologic approach and insight from you guys.

Try doing a good old press release as well. prMac.com has been pretty good bang for the buck from what we've seen at least in terms of getting the word around for the $20 they charge.

Github account or fake.

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