Developing a video game is not an easy feat, and most developers sigh in relief after completing a new video game. But do you know what's harder than creating a video game? You guessed right—marketing and attracting gamers to play or download your game.
The gaming industry is highly competitive, and many developers create new games every year. According to GameSpot, game developers released about 238 video games in 2021 in the US alone.
How do you market your video game to stand out among the hundreds? You need the right marketing strategies to put your game in front of gamers and get them to play and download it. Here are four top video game marketing strategies you can leverage.
An influencer is an individual seen as an expert in a particular field. They have a high number of followers and can influence their followers' buying behavior. For instance, a popular YouTube content creator who is an expert gamer and often holds live gaming competitions on their channel is a gaming influencer.
One of the easiest ways to reach a large number of gamers is by using a gaming influencer. It can be a blogger who reviews games on a website, a celebrity known for gaming, or a Twitch influencer with a huge following.
Partner with these influencers and ask them to review your game, mention it in their content, or even create sponsored content for it on their social media pages.
A marketing strategy is considered unsuccessful if it does not give a good return on investment (ROI). Targeted marketing will give you the best ROI because you'll promote your product to consumers who are willing to spend money on it.
Set up paid adverts on popular gaming websites and put your video game in front of gaming enthusiasts. Using premium images in your ads is vital to invoke emotions in your target audience. For instance, if you’re promoting a racing video game, showcase a premium car stock photo library.
Social media marketing is one of the most effective and affordable ways of promoting video games. The first thing you should do to win at social media marketing is study your target audience and identify what platforms they use most.
Some of the social media platforms gamers love are Discord, Twitch, Reddit, Steam, and Facebook. Set up a dedicated gaming page and create engaging content to attract followers. If you are ready to spend some dollars on your marketing efforts, you can explore paid advertising. Running paid social media ads gives you fast and scalable results and high visibility.
What do you do when looking for a good gaming laptop? Go to Amazon and check out customer reviews? Head to YouTube and look for product testimonials? Whatever you do, you are likely to make your buying decision based on what another customer says.
Word of mouth is a great marketing tool for any product. Gaming enthusiasts are likely to trust the reviews of other gamers or download your game after reading a testimonial by another gamer. Examples of user-generated content are reviews, testimonials, and discussions on gaming forums.
The success of your newly released video game depends on your marketing strategies. These marketing tips will help you connect with your target audience.