Pre-Orders Generator

Generate pre-order configuration guides, launch timeline templates, and marketing coordination plans for App Store pre-orders.

When This Skill Activates

Use this skill when the user:

• Asks about "pre-orders" or "App Store pre-order"
• Wants to "build anticipation" before a launch
• Mentions "pre-launch strategy" or "launch countdown"
• Asks about making their app available before release date
• Wants to collect day-one downloads

How Pre-Orders Work

• Unreleased app: release date can be set up to 180 days out
• Users can order your app before it's available
• On release day customers are notified and the app auto-downloads within ~24 hours — the queue converts itself
• Pre-orders count toward your launch day download numbers
• Your app appears in search and browse during pre-order period
• Price can be set to "Free" or any paid tier during pre-order
• Three edit options stay open anytime: change the date, release immediately, or pull a region; changes propagate within 24 hours

Key Benefits

1. Accumulate downloads: Pre-orders count toward day-one velocity
2. Search visibility: App is searchable before release
3. Featuring eligibility: Apple can feature pre-order apps
4. Marketing anchor: Give audiences a concrete action ("Pre-order now")
5. A working ASO period: Custom Product Pages and PPO tests both run during pre-order — launch day should land on an already-tested page

Not Just for Launches: Regional Pre-Orders

An existing app entering new storefronts can run a pre-order in just those territories — with a longer runway: the release date can be up to 365 days out (vs. 180 for an unreleased app), and any date change is capped at 365 days from when the pre-order first published. Accumulated pre-orders convert on day one in the new market — the same velocity spike a launch gets, aimed at the new market's chart entry.

⚠️ One-shot per territory: once released in a region, you can never run a pre-order there again.

Limitations

• Cannot change app name or primary category after pre-order starts
• Price increases require 7-day notice to pre-order customers
• App must be ready for review before pre-order goes live
• Release date can be moved earlier but not more than 180 days out (365 for a published app's regional pre-order, measured from first publication)
• Once released in a region, a pre-order can never be re-run there

Configuration Questions

Ask user via AskUserQuestion:

1. Pre-order reason?

   • Brand new app launch
   • Major version update (new app listing)
   • Seasonal launch timing (holiday, back to school)
   • WWDC/new OS tie-in

2. Pre-order duration?

   • Short (1-2 weeks) — urgency-driven
   • Medium (4-6 weeks) — time to build awareness
   • Long (2-6 months) — major marketing campaign

3. Pricing strategy?

   • Free app (maximize pre-orders)
   • Paid at final price
   • Paid with launch discount (raise price after launch week)

Output Format

# Pre-Order Plan: [App Name]

## Configuration

| Setting | Value |
|---------|-------|
| Pre-Order Start | [Date] |
| Release Date | [Date] |
| Pre-Order Duration | [X weeks] |
| Price During Pre-Order | [Free / $X.99] |
| Post-Launch Price | [$X.99] |

## App Store Connect Setup

1. Go to App Store Connect > Your App
2. Under "Pricing and Availability":
   - Set the release date to your planned launch date
   - Enable "Pre-Order" availability
3. Under "App Information":
   - App name, category, and description must be final
   - Screenshots should show the final app (or close to final)
4. Submit app for review:
   - App must pass review before pre-order goes live
   - Prepare a TestFlight-ready build for review

## Launch Timeline

### [X] Weeks Before Launch: Pre-Order Goes Live
- [ ] Submit app for App Store review
- [ ] Prepare pre-order announcement
- [ ] Schedule social media posts
- [ ] Send press kit to media contacts
- [ ] Configure In-App Event for launch day

### [X-2] Weeks Before: Build Anticipation
- [ ] Share development updates/behind-the-scenes
- [ ] Release app preview video on social channels
- [ ] Follow up with press contacts
- [ ] Share pre-order link in email newsletter

### 1 Week Before: Final Push
- [ ] Countdown posts on social media
- [ ] Featuring nomination follow-up
- [ ] Prepare launch day communications
- [ ] Verify build is ready for release

### Launch Day
- [ ] Release the app (automatic for pre-orders)
- [ ] Publish launch In-App Event
- [ ] Send launch announcement to email list
- [ ] Post across all social channels
- [ ] Monitor reviews and respond quickly
- [ ] Track download velocity

### Launch Week
- [ ] Start Product Page Optimization test
- [ ] Monitor conversion rates
- [ ] Adjust marketing based on initial data
- [ ] Submit second featuring nomination if not featured

## Pre-Order Marketing Assets

### Landing Page
- Apple's official **localized pre-order badge** (per-storefront artwork — don't hand-roll the button)
- App preview screenshots
- Feature highlights
- Release date and countdown

### Social Media
- Announcement post with pre-order link
- 3-5 countdown posts leading to launch
- Feature highlight posts (one feature per post)
- Behind-the-scenes development content

### Email
- Pre-order announcement to existing audience
- 1-week reminder before launch
- Launch day celebration email

## Measurement

| Metric | Target | Track In |
|--------|--------|----------|
| Pre-order count | [Goal] | App Store Connect |
| Day 1 downloads | [Goal] | App Store Connect |
| First week downloads | [Goal] | App Store Connect |
| Conversion rate | [X%] | App Store Connect Analytics |

Pre-Order Best Practices

Timing

Scenario	Recommended Duration	Reason
Indie app, small audience	2-4 weeks	Short attention span, limited reach
Established brand, new app	4-8 weeks	Time for press and marketing
Seasonal launch	Align with season start	Holiday: early Nov, Back to school: mid-Aug
WWDC tie-in	Start at WWDC, launch with OS	Ride the hype wave

Pricing Strategy

Model	During Pre-Order	After Launch	Best For
Free launch	Free	Free	Freemium apps, maximum pre-orders
Introductory price	$0.99-2.99	$4.99-9.99	Create urgency, reward early adopters
Full price	$X.99	$X.99	Premium apps with strong demand
Free then paid	Free	$X.99	Controversial — may frustrate expectations

References

• Related: generators/in-app-events — Launch event for release day
• Related: generators/featuring-nomination — Featuring during pre-order
• Related: generators/app-store-assets — Asset specs for pre-order page
• Related: app-store/marketing-strategy — Pre-launch as part of overall strategy