Erinn SouleIndie is now trendy!
March 25th 2008 15:24
How to market an indie computer game, you thought only music could be Indie...Ha!
Indie, Indie, INDIE! Our world today is not only going green, it's going Indie. From music to video games, it's all about the "average Joe".
Video games are the hot ticket these days by young and old avid gamers. But with every great idea produced, there must be a way to market it. Sounds simple right? Well anyone that knows the true meaning of "Indie", knows it isn't all cake and ice cream.
Marketing, publishing and distribution do not come free, nor do they come cheap. There are a few tips known in the Indie trade that could quite possibly be your dreamed about "meal ticket".
First of all, let's start with the basics:
1. PROMOTION: Promotion is everything! If you want people to know about your product, they actually have to KNOW about it. Hit up all your friends, all your family and even all your enemies...OK not the enemies, but you get the idea. Send an email blaster that has a sample of the game for them to see, ask them to forward it to everyone they know that is a die hard gamer, the word will soon be out that there is a hot new game for people to get in on.
2. ADVERTISING: This is different than promotion, really. Promotion just gets the product heard about but advertising DISPLAYS it. Of course you can spend in the hundreds to have the game advertised, but why would you do that when all you really need to do is build yourself a simple but enticing website. If you can dream up a two-headed warrior that slashes up bad guys, you can surely build yourself a flashy website.
3. SELL YOURSELF: Different than the steps above, No-one knows your game better than you do, you created it so you should know who to market it to. Become a "store peddler", go to every "mom and pop" game shop asking if they would be interested in a consignment deal with your game. Most will say sure, some will tell you to go back to the planet Izban! Radio, Public Access Television and Message forums are great locations as well.
Patience will need to become your best friend in the world. Good things come to those who wait! While you are waiting for your luck to come in, try starting a Yahoo Group, Message Board or even a MySpace page dedicated to the launch of your new game. Even if it isn't getting into stores yet, you need to state that it will be in stores soon.
Claiming it is "set to be on shelves everywhere", gives people the idea that you have a "hot item" and they should be the "first" to get in on it. If you are looking for a great hosting place for your website, go to www.freewebs.com, they have an entire gaming community there. Freewebs also has several templates designed just for the "gamer at heart".
Network with other people doing what you are doing, you may find someone who gave up on patience and needs a "partner" CHA-CHING! Gathering help from people who have already been there done that and feel down and out, is the best way to get your product moving at high speed. Most times than not, they have given up and will become excited at a new chance...with a bit of help!
Indie, Indie, INDIE! Our world today is not only going green, it's going Indie. From music to video games, it's all about the "average Joe".
Video games are the hot ticket these days by young and old avid gamers. But with every great idea produced, there must be a way to market it. Sounds simple right? Well anyone that knows the true meaning of "Indie", knows it isn't all cake and ice cream.
Marketing, publishing and distribution do not come free, nor do they come cheap. There are a few tips known in the Indie trade that could quite possibly be your dreamed about "meal ticket".
First of all, let's start with the basics:
1. PROMOTION: Promotion is everything! If you want people to know about your product, they actually have to KNOW about it. Hit up all your friends, all your family and even all your enemies...OK not the enemies, but you get the idea. Send an email blaster that has a sample of the game for them to see, ask them to forward it to everyone they know that is a die hard gamer, the word will soon be out that there is a hot new game for people to get in on.
2. ADVERTISING: This is different than promotion, really. Promotion just gets the product heard about but advertising DISPLAYS it. Of course you can spend in the hundreds to have the game advertised, but why would you do that when all you really need to do is build yourself a simple but enticing website. If you can dream up a two-headed warrior that slashes up bad guys, you can surely build yourself a flashy website.
3. SELL YOURSELF: Different than the steps above, No-one knows your game better than you do, you created it so you should know who to market it to. Become a "store peddler", go to every "mom and pop" game shop asking if they would be interested in a consignment deal with your game. Most will say sure, some will tell you to go back to the planet Izban! Radio, Public Access Television and Message forums are great locations as well.
Patience will need to become your best friend in the world. Good things come to those who wait! While you are waiting for your luck to come in, try starting a Yahoo Group, Message Board or even a MySpace page dedicated to the launch of your new game. Even if it isn't getting into stores yet, you need to state that it will be in stores soon.
Claiming it is "set to be on shelves everywhere", gives people the idea that you have a "hot item" and they should be the "first" to get in on it. If you are looking for a great hosting place for your website, go to www.freewebs.com, they have an entire gaming community there. Freewebs also has several templates designed just for the "gamer at heart".
Network with other people doing what you are doing, you may find someone who gave up on patience and needs a "partner" CHA-CHING! Gathering help from people who have already been there done that and feel down and out, is the best way to get your product moving at high speed. Most times than not, they have given up and will become excited at a new chance...with a bit of help!
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