I'd definitely try to leverage the success of this app towards something else. The reason why this app is so popular is because it is simple and free. The good will is kind of a big deal.
That said, I think adding support for other social networks may be a fair unlock. How about a "Social Lite+"? A separate paid app that supports more social networks?
It sounds like you've produced a solid, stable piece of software that's been actively used by 55,000 people. That's a comendable thing, and I don't think anyone can rightly fault you if you decide you'd like to be compensated to improve on it further.
My suggestion would be to have a premium version, but charge a minimal amount for it (especially considering your demographic). Your goal should be a high conversion rate of your existing user base at a very low price. I would suggest waiting to launch until you have a more expanded feature set though (image upload probably isn't enough, but if it supported multiple new features and multiple social networks, that should be an easy sell).
This is really up to you and how well you know your users.
Like some have said, you're not being evil by making all new FEATURES to only in the paid app. Alternatively, you could make this app as full-featured as possible, and make the new app for multiple platforms only.
What do you think is the right thing to do, both for yourself (how much time and money do you have?) and your audience?
A way to promote the new app inside the old app:
- Add a button that says, "new features!" that you keep updated whenever you 1) release new bug fixes or features to either the regular or the beefed up version. This way, all users of the regular app will stay updated on whats going on in both the regular and the beefed up versions. Many of them will buy the beefed up version.
> So do I add the photo upload feature [...] to the existing app or put it in the paid only app???
Give it for free to all your existing users. Going forward, any user who has the feature can also gift it (at zero cost) to new users. Otherwise paid purchase.
> Good guy me says put it in the free app, evil me says make em pay...
I'd say this is generously evil, or avariciously good ...
P.S.
I'd suggest making the app produce use-once gift codes (say up to three at a time) that people could post.
Keep the app free, and if ad-free, keep it like that. Try to make it bigger. This is your investment in the future. If you have an app with +1 or +10 million installs, that's a beautiful item on your resumé. If you really want to use that app for money, create new functionality via in-app payments, or give all old users a life-time free version that can be transferred to other devices. Better use it to attract attention from investors and let them give money to you for a second app.
it is but a bird int he hand is worth 2 in the bush. Got to wonder how many people saying use it for resume have had a similar experience, used it for resume and then gone on to their dream life vs people who tried to monatise, maybe failed but learnt something along the way. Personally no experience of either but when you have soemthing its always worth attempting to leverage it, you still have the figures later even if you fubar
Silly question perhaps but is the app able to display notifications? (primarily for 'messages' from facebook) as this is the main reason most people install the official apps. Perhaps you could build a messaging client that works in conjunction with it and that could be your income stream?
The first question to be answered is where do you want to go with this app? Do you want it to be something you can brag about? Or do you want it to be something that you nurture and grow from one stage to the next? Either is fine, and there are lots of other options. But knowing the answer to that question will determine your next features in the app.
