How to Get New Users for Your Consumer App

Getting new users for a consumer app isn’t easy. The app store is crowded, digital ads are expensive, and people are more skeptical than ever. So how do you get real downloads and engaged users—without blowing your budget on Facebook or Google ads?

One word: creativity.

While performance marketing is still part of the equation, the brands that are seeing real growth are mixing digital with hands-on, face-to-face strategies. From street teams giving away swag in exchange for downloads to smart referral incentives and influencer partnerships, this article covers some of the most effective ways to bring in new users for your app.

Why It’s So Hard to Get New Users Today

It’s not just your imagination—user acquisition costs are through the roof. And worse, most installs don’t lead to actual usage. That’s because consumers are overwhelmed with options, and unless there’s a compelling reason to download and engage, they won’t stick around.

This is why blending offline marketing with digital can give you a huge edge. People are more likely to trust and remember an app they’ve heard about through a personal interaction or a real-world experience.

Street Teams: Bringing Your App to Life

Street team marketing is old-school in the best way possible. You hire a group of outgoing, energetic reps, arm them with swag (think hats, water bottles, tote bags), and send them to high-traffic areas where your target audience hangs out. Their job? Start conversations, offer incentives, and guide people through downloading your app—right there on the spot.

Where It Works Best:

• College campuses

• Events and festivals

• Public transit hubs

• Nightlife districts

What to Offer:

• Free swag in exchange for app downloads

• Instant gift cards or food samples

• Contests and giveaways for people who create a profile

Real Example: Flure

Flure is a new dating app catered towards young adults that aren’t looking to put labels on things. For their campaign they took to USC, and UCLA to hand out cookies for anyone who downloaded their app, and $10 for anyone who created a profile.

Results:

With 12 brand ambassadors a day, Elevate Event Staff helped get over 800 app downloads per day, and 300 profile creations per day, boosting app store visibility and users.

Tools That Help:

• SimpleCrew to track your street team’s performance in real time

• QR codes linking directly to your app’s store page with unique tracking codes

• Custom landing pages for event-specific campaigns

Referral Programs That Actually Get Used

People trust their friends. That’s why referral programs can be pure gold—if they’re done right. The key is making the incentive clear, valuable, and easy to claim.

Examples That Nailed It:

• Airbnb
  Built a cross-platform invite system that let users share referral links via email, SMS, or social media, offering credits toward future stays.

• Acorns
  Offered a time-sensitive promo like “Refer 4 friends, get $250,” creating urgency and excitement.

What Works:

• Double-sided incentives (both the inviter and the new user get something)

• A clean, mobile-first experience for sending and redeeming referrals

• Social sharing options baked into the app

Influencer Collabs (Even the Micro Ones)

You don’t need to shell out for a Kardashian. Micro-influencers often perform better because they’re more relatable, and their followers trust their opinions. The key is finding people whose niche aligns with your app—and letting them share their honest experience with it.

Case Study: Jodel App

This social app used TikTok creators to promote installs and reached over 85,000 new users with a cost-per-install of €2.29. Not bad for a low-budget, high-creativity campaign.

Tips:

• Give creators early access to cool app features

• Encourage them to create challenges, reviews, or how-to content

• Use unique promo codes to track results

Combine Offline + Online for Maximum Impact

The best campaigns today don’t just live online or offline—they cross over. For example, if someone downloads your app through a street team interaction, retarget them later with ads highlighting a feature they didn’t use yet. If someone sees a pop-up booth at a music festival, follow up with an email offering a bonus for completing their profile.

Example: Flip’s Viral Growth

The social shopping app Flip exploded after launching a gift card referral program—up to $150 per user. It wasn’t just the payout that worked—it was the mix of offline buzz and online incentives that kept people sharing.

Final Thoughts

The app space is tough, but there’s still room for breakout brands—especially those that think outside the digital box. Whether you’re building a street team, launching a creative referral program, or partnering with influencers who actually care, what matters is building real connections.

You don’t need the biggest budget. You need a campaign that gets people to stop, engage, and take action.

Now go get those downloads.

Bonus: Quick Checklist for Your Next Campaign

✅ Do you know where your audience hangs out in real life?

✅ Have you created shareable, desirable swag?

✅ Can you track downloads to specific offline interactions?

✅ Are your incentives actually exciting?

✅ Does your campaign feel personal—not just transactional?

Want help designing a street team campaign or activating in multiple cities at once? Let's chat.

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