19/09/2016
ESSENTIAL STEPS IN MARKETING YOUR GAMES AND APPS
Anticipating launching of our new game/intellectual trainer, we want to take a quick look at indie game marketing. We’re sure that for many developers it often turns out to be one of the most difficult part of overall work. As developer you might be convinced that you’re not “made” to sale. However, currently many developers switch to entrepreneurship which already implies being knowledgeable (to some extent) in marketing as well. If you are marketer and if you haven’t had experience in game marketing, at first approach this area might seem to you as definitely not the trivial one. There’re some peculiar moments in game marketing which you won’t face in other fields. Thus, either you’re developer or/and entrepreneur or marketer this overview might appear helpful for you.
1. Gather knowledge.
It’s obviously essential that if you don’t have prior experience in any area and you want to plunge into it, you have to ask other people. Find as many people as you can who has developed at least one game and ask them about the process. Talk to people on the forums (for game developers), visit meetings for developers, expand your contacts circle (you’ll need it further).
Search web for articles for game developers who are launching first game (with second, third and so on will be the same except already having essential fanbase).
2. Craft your own plan.
Relying on the wisdom of others (obtained at the first stage).
App. example:
1) Create great game.
2) Create social network pages and blog; accumulate fanbase.
3) Make game trailer and vivid screenshots.
4) Gather press-kit.
5) Contact publishers.
6) Launch on the App Store.
3. Make it real.
It’s time to switch from plans to activity.
Here’re some tips:
• There are lots of intricacies that make game great but from the marketing point it’s extremely essential to understand your target audience and keep it in mind while developing.
• To accumulate your fanbase you have to take care about it as early as possible before launching. Create social network pages and blog for your company and your game. Tell people about the process of development, show your routine. Be sure they want to know everything. Make calendar and post regularly. When releasing alpha and beta versions, invite people to testing. Be close and regularly come up with something interesting for your target audience. Talk to other developers, trigger discussions, make people notice you as young, ambitious, creative developer.
• Search web for list of publishers (you’ll find a lot). Make impressive trailer and screenshots of your game, write press-release and send them. Remember: press is everything!
That’s how game marketing looks like in short. However, it’s not only about launching – you have to care all the time about expanding your fanbase and connections (with other developers and publishers). Don´t worry it’s not that complicated as it could look like - you´ll see. Good luck!
