{"id":10136,"date":"2018-08-24T16:02:33","date_gmt":"2018-08-24T16:02:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solutionbuilt.com\/2018\/08\/24\/app-prototype\/"},"modified":"2023-07-26T14:39:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T14:39:31","slug":"app-prototype","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solutionbuilt.com\/blog\/app-prototype\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Engage App Investors with an App Prototype"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In July of 2008, Apple premiered 500 mobile apps as part of the initial launch of their App Store. Today, there are nearly <\/span>6 million apps<\/b> in the Apple and Android Stores combined. Needless to say, the mobile app field is quite crowded.<\/span> If you show up to an investor\u2019s table with just an \u201cidea\u201d, it\u2019s not going to cut it.<\/span> App investors and VC\u2019s are c<\/span>onstantly bombarded with pitches for the next big thing. Scoring their attention and peaking their interest is crucial in the conception and visualization of your mobile app. A mobile app prototype will give you the competitive advantage against the masses to obtain success.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"our<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is an app prototype?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An app prototype is a simulation of what your app <\/span>will <\/i><\/b>be capable of. It displays the design, layout, functionality, and user experience without having it actually work.\u00a0Think of an app prototype as a beautifully designed car without an engine. It is the blueprint for your mobile app.<\/span> You can use this prototype as an effective tool in garnering investor interest.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile app prototyping is essential in delivering a functional and better user experience, plus it helps capture investors. Continue reading to discover the power of building an app prototype, and check out 5 essential steps in creating an app prototype for your mobile app idea in order to engage investors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Steps for How to Engage App Investors with an App Prototype<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\"Mobile<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

#1- Identify the problem<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before spending countless hours and assets, you must first establish the problem that your mobile app<\/a> will solve. This first step is arguably the most important.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask yourself these two questions:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. What problem does your app solve that isn’t already addressed in another app?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. How is your mobile app going to help the user?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Doing extensive research and investigation is key when developing the necessity of your mobile app.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #2- What functions are needed for your app to execute its purpose?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    You have now found the problem. And your app is the solution. So now you need to implement the \u201chow\u201d it will work. This is the outline of your app\u2019s brain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Brainstorm function ideas, use your favorite apps as examples and list all the parts that will make the whole. Some examples of functional requirements: photo capture, social account integration, search capability, advertising, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #3- Wireframes for App Prototypes<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"Wireframe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/span>Wireframes are skeletal blueprints t<\/span>hat show you the visual guide and framework of your app. Like an architect sketches the plans for a building, a wireframe prototype app brings a two-dimensional storyboard to start work from. This gives you an open floor-plan to see all of your app\u2019s pages laid out, making it easy for the structure and sensibility of the app to be pieced together.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #4- Request An App Prototype<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is the vehicle you will be sharing with friends, peers, and target audience for critical feedback and suggestions so align with a software that you can relate to and makes the creation the easiest for your skill set.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here at <\/span>SolutionBuilt<\/span><\/a>, we create realistic app prototypes that look and work just like your app should. Need an app prototype? <\/span>Let\u2019s chat<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are many softwares available for mobile app prototyping build outs. <\/span>Adobe XD<\/span><\/a> and the Adobe Creative Suite are a great place to start.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    #5- <\/b>Pitch Your App Prototype to App Investors<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Your app prototype is now ready. You have shared it with trusted friends and peers. Now it is time to fund your mobile app. So, how do you get investors to, well, invest?<\/span>
    Elizabeth Yin<\/a>, co-founder at Hustle Fund lays out 7 Key Tips for cold emailing investors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Keep your email short<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Use bullet points to highlight the best parts of your company<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Make the email scannable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Don\u2019t attach a deck in the first email<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Use an email tracker<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Your call to action is to land a meeting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Don\u2019t be afraid to follow up<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Our Tips for Pitching to App Investors:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n