11 Video Game Marketing Strategies You Can Use Right Now

by Game Marketing Genie, on 18-Jun-2018 04:59:37

Last updated: May 11th, 2023

Creating, developing, and launching your game is only a fraction of your quest. Without a good video game marketing strategy, your game will get lost in the void, and all that time, money, and effort will go to use. The difficulty lies in making your game stand out and persuading people to download it.

Whether you've just launched, want to relaunch an existing game, or are looking for more players, there's a range of game marketing initiatives that you can implement yourself. Some are free or inexpensive, and you won't need to hire celebs or create TV ads.

So here are 11 video game marketing strategies you can use right now to boost your download rate and get people talking about your game. Click any of the following to move to that section!

  1. Game marketing on YouTube
  2. Game marketing through blogging
  3. App store optimization for games
  4. Branch out to multiple app stores
  5. Facebook and Instagram game marketing
  6. Appear on gaming podcasts
  7. Game marketing on Reddit
  8. Game marketing through review websites
  9. Game influencer marketing
  10. Your Facebook page for game marketing
  11. Feel like a game marketing stunt?

This guide is an actionable resource for any game marketing strategy aimed at getting more players, increasing conversions, or boosting awareness.

1. Game marketing on YouTube

If you don't already have a YouTube channel, now is the time to set one up. With YouTube being the second largest search engine after Google, you're looking at opportunities to promote your game and engage with potential players and gaming reviewers.

Creating a teaser trailer is an excellent way to kick things off. Include great graphics, a soundtrack, and anything else attractive to a potential player. Once your video is uploaded, you can add the link to your description page on app stores and other social media channels. You can also create videos that show tips and help guide players or engage with other gaming channels to get your name out there.

You can also use one of YouTube's advertising services, where your video will appear as an ad before a requested video is played. Users can skip the advertisement or watch through; you'll only pay for this service if it's watched for 30 seconds (or to the end if shorter) or clicked on.

Learn more about making your game count on this platform in Your Complete Guide to YouTube Game Marketing.Game Marketing_You Tube

2. Game marketing through blogging

Creating a blog on your website is one of the most reliable long-term investments and is beneficial for several reasons. It allows you to:

  • Increase traffic to your site using SEO.
  • Attract new players and press.
  • Show and tell people about your game(s).
  • Turn your website into a place where people want to spend some time reading valuable and interesting articles you have created.
  • Bring in new players well after your official launch date.
  • Tell people about your team.
  • Announce news and connect with likeminded devs.

Blog posts should be fun, informative, and creative, as you want them to be shared and bring in new people. Your game will get more visibility if you get your blog content shared and ensure that it is search engine optimized.

Game Marketing_Blogging

3. App store optimization for games

App store optimization (ASO) is a video game marketing strategy, which after running through a series of tactics, allows you to position your game to boost its ranking and visibility.

If you use the right app store marketing tactics, there is a higher chance that your game will be discoverable in the app store's search results, and you can subsequently drive traffic to your game's page and convert visitors into players. 

Even better yet, once your audience starts downloading, your game has a better chance to be featured on the app store home screen and higher up in the search results.

Put your effort to good use with our guide on all things ASO here — App Store Optimization: How To Make Your Mobile Game Stand Out.

4. Branch out to multiple app stores

Aside from the apparent Android and iOS platforms, you can target other platforms to maximize your game’s visibility. If you have an Android game, consider submitting it to multiple stores targeted to specific markets not covered by the Google Play Store. Some famous markets that you can tap into include:

  • Amazon
  • AppBrain
  • Baidu App Store

Many of the strategies applied to marketing on Google Play and the iOS App Store can be used on other stores. Find your competitors with our guide here: 5 Steps to Identify Your Competitors on App Stores.

5. Facebook and Instagram game marketing

Massive portions of the global population have at least one social media account, and many spend hours engaging here. You probably have at least one account! And that is why gaming social media is so important.

Knowing that a huge chunk of your target customer range is on Facebook and Instagram regularly should encourage you to try out ad campaigns on these networks. The great thing about Facebook and Instagram advertising is that you can target your ads to reach potential customers of a specific demographic with particular interests and behaviors.

Check out our guides to both (and more) here:

Facebook & Instagram_Game Marketing

6. Appear on gaming podcasts

Podcasts are a preferred media type for gamers as they can get exciting news and updates through their headphones and listen to conversational game reviews wherever they go.

Getting a guest spot on a podcast or having an interview with a host gives you significant exposure to a dedicated group of gaming followers. You may be in luck if you already know someone who runs a podcast. Otherwise, contacting some video game podcasts to see if they're open to working with you is a good idea.

Learn how to get your game on popular podcasts in How to Feature on a Gaming Podcast to Market Your Game.

7. Game marketing on Reddit

A subreddit is a category on Reddit.com where you can post content about your game, but it's more complex than posting wherever you think. Your audience is here, but it doesn't mean your marketing will be received well (or even allowed) here.

There are numerous other online gaming forums where you can post about your game and share it with potential new players. However, read the posting guidelines first, as some discussions may see self-promotion as spam and delete your posts.

Check out more about gaming marketing here in Reddit Game Marketing: How to Get Organic Results.

8. Game marketing through review sites and PR

While this may seem tedious, submitting your game to as many popular gaming or app review websites as possible is CRITICAL to video game marketing.

Including all the necessary information about your game (an engaging description, teaser video, and website link) will make your submission look professional and noteworthy. Ensure you include a promo code for your game so the reviewer can get hands-on with it as soon as possible.

There are many review websites where you can submit your game for mobile game marketing purposes, and we talk about some of them in 5 Ways to Get Mobile Game Reviews.

And it's not just hoping that you get some reviews, you'll have to put a little more effort into getting people to talk. This is where PR comes in. When executed well, a PR campaign generates awareness, gets media outlets writing about you, and plays into your marketing.

Prepare your plan and capture attention with our 10 Tips To Help You Run a Successful PR Campaign.

Game Influencer Marketing

9. Game influencer marketing

Influencers are king when it comes to marketing to millennial audiences. Getting your game in front of the right person can result in exposure to thousands, even millions, of potential customers. Most influencers run on a "promotion for cash" basis, which could cost you a bit, depending on their audience size.

If you're lucky enough to know an influencer that you've worked with before, or know of one that's shown interest in games like yours, reach out to them to see if they would be interested in working with you.

But, what if you don't have any connections?

The days of influencer searching, vetting, and small talk are over! Create incredible influencer contracts with a click and get matched with the right personalities in a fraction of a second with Atisfyreach. Our influencer marketing platform is driven by data and AI to connect you with the best fit candidates in moments. Check it out today!

10. Your Facebook page for game marketing

Boosting your Facebook engagement can drive people to download your game. Including fun content such as videos, memes, helpful game tips, and promotional apps can drive engagement and make people want to share your content with friends.

Add value and be creative! You've got a fun video game so show it off!

Make sure that you interact with your fans regularly and answer their questions. Alternatively, ask questions and like or respond to exciting answers. This type of engagement encourages more user-generated content in the comments of your promotional posts.

11. Feel like a game marketing stunt?

People love a good publicity stunt, so now is your chance to think outside the box about how to draw attention to your game. The sky is the limit with what you can do, but it'll also come down to budget. Think about how you can create a buzz to get people talking and push visitors to your website or the app store.

Don't be afraid to try something new. Sign up at an event like PAX, host a blockbuster giveaway, or sponsor an esports team. The world is your oyster.

Game controller graphic

The ultimate guide to game marketing

Hope you enjoyed this article! For more insider game marketing information, check out The Ultimate Guide to Game Marketing: Everything You Need to Know.


Still not sure how to go about your video game marketing?

Here at Game Marketing Genie, we're on a quest to help companies in the gaming industry discover their potential and get the players they seek.

Suppose you're struggling to get the numbers you've been dreaming about or need more time to implement your marketing initiatives. Your team doesn't have the experience, you don't know how to do it all at once, and you feel like you're slipping behind.

Our dedicated and passionate team of professionals can work with you to create campaigns that'll help you win over customers and see your player base numbers soar. We can work with your budget and determine out the best strategies so you can keep focusing on what's important — your game.

We're a full-service gaming marketing agency that can cover all advertising aspects including social media marketing and management, digital and PR, SEO and link building, and influencer marketing. We can also work with you on growth hacking and finding opportunities to perfect your existing strategy.

To find out how we can help you, let's chat about your business goals and how our game marketing experts can help you reach them.

Topics:Video Game Marketing StrategyVideo Game MarketingDigital Marketing Strategy

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