How long would it take to play all the video games ever developed? Do not even think about it because it is the wildest imagination that you can ever hold. Even narrowing down on specific niches will still not help as you will come across millions of games under each category.
There are millions of amazing games out there that never reach the target market. They remain in the ‘underrated’ category, where they continue to collect dust. Developing a video game is a complex process that should be rewarded with the right reach. Martim Nabeiro, a video game expert (link with him here), shares some of the video marketing strategies that will take your program to the next level:
YouTube
YouTube is a video hosting platform that will work wonders when it comes to video games. This platform enjoys a massive following as it has more than 2 billion active users. You can thus demonstrate how to play the game through this amazing platform.
You can start by creating a teaser video that shows the most interesting parts of your video game. You can then link interested players to the real game and let them enjoy it. You can borrow some ideas from iGaming platforms such as 888 casino Portugal that already has YouTube channels.
Optimise your games for app stores
The concept applies the same approach as what happens on search engines such as Google and Bing. Optimising your video game makes it discoverable on these app stores, which increases the download rate. You can have different versions for PC and mobile devices.
Most computers use Windows and macOS, and that should be the first optimization point. The most famous platforms for games made for smartphones and mobile devices are iOS and Android. Optimise the description using relevant keywords to make it easy to land at your video game.
Use influencers
The video gaming community is made up of avid gamers who are always ready to have a good time. Those who are knowledgeable about games are making a killing through influencer marketing. Some of these influencers use platforms such as Twitch and YouTube to reach out to their followers.
The approach you will take will depend on the end goal. For instance, if you want to increase game downloads, you can have the influencer place a link to the game’s description or comments section. Look out for influencers who cover your niche and agree on the engagement terms.
Take advantage of social media
The number of people who use social media has been rising every year. In 2020, there are about 3.8 billion people who use social media, which is a 9.2% increase from what we had in 2019. It is estimated that people spend an average of 44 minutes on different social media platforms daily.
You can tap on this market as countries like Portugal have proven to be a good market for online gamers. Create accounts on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to help reach new potential users. You can also run social media ads and target people based on various demographics.
Market your game through review websites
Not every person has the time to try out new releases. Some of these people rely on review websites as they know the experts will give them the best options. It is the best approach if you are confident in your coding game.
The first step will be searching for review websites in your category. Some of these websites will have some conditions you must meet before your submission is accepted and processed. Submit your game to as many review websites as possible, as this increases your chances of getting new users.
Appear on gaming podcasts
Podcasts have been rated among the best marketing approaches in the recent past. The beauty of podcasts is that they allow hosts and the followers to interact and share ideas. Look out for some of the industry’s major players and book a slot.
You can appear on different podcasts irrespective of whether you are just introducing a new game or you have been in the game for some time. Prepare yourself for the session so that you can handle all the pressing questions. Familiarize yourself with the type of information that is usually shared on the podcast you have settled on.
The above video game promotion strategies are enough to guarantee an increase in your reach. Do not rely on one approach as your target customers are spread across different platforms. Set aside some budget because marketing must have a monetary value.