We’re working on this really cool mobile app and are looking for beta testers in NYC. My question is how do we find them? The app is on both Android and iPhone. Our friends and family can only reach out so far. We’re trying to incentivize beta testers by giving away free coffee, ice cream, but actually finding them has been tough.
Any ideas?
Why does it have to be NYC?
Everybody like Ice cream but it may not be grand enough for the big city.
Mark, it’s likely that the app in question may be for a specific event (going on in NYC), a place (hotels, trains, museums) or could even be something more exotic like augmented reality (for specific geolocated places). In regards to getting testers, if you live in NYC your best bet would be to perhaps advertise in places that New Yorkers are likely to visit (those where your app will affect generally). Maybe an advertisement or perhaps handing out fliers in front of NY’s Apple store 
I’d say look for some local NYC newspapers or magazines that have apps available and then see if they sell advertising within them.
I have the iphone app from our local newspaper and in addition to iads that may show at the top or bottom of a page, there are ads for car dealers mixed in with the news topics displayed on a page.
Check out resources like www.mobilemarketer.com and see if you can find some good ideas there too.
HTH,
Steve