I think it comes down to persistence. The methods you use will vary over time and depending on your app, but the key is to keep trying things and learning from

I think it comes down to persistence. The methods you use will vary over time and depending on your app, but the key is to keep trying things and learning from each one. When I launched Hacker Newsletter (http://www.hackernewsletter.com http://www.hackernewsletter.com) I was thinking I would get 1000+ sign-ups the first month. It was more like 100, but what I did do was keep publishing it each week and over time I kept trying things, making connections, and proving it was something serious. Now I'm approaching 6000 subscribers and growing each week.