In this video, the creator shares their opinion on the best marketing methods for indie game developers with a zero-dollar budget. The creator used only $60 to market their game and it sold almost $130k in one year. The video provides a summary of the best game marketing tricks for indie developers to use.
The first and most recommended method is contacting YouTubers and streamers. This involves sending a free key to a video creator and hoping they like the game enough to make a video about it. This is considered the best way of doing marketing for indie game developers. It can be done manually or through different services like Woovit, Keymailer, and Indieboost.
The second method is contacting journalists. While it used to be the dream for indie game developers, the influence of both print and digital media has declined. Getting your game featured on one of the top sites will still give you a visibility boost, but the actual effect on sales might be disappointing if your expectations are not kept in check.
The third method is setting up a Steam page. Steam will occasionally show your game to people who might be interested in it, and those people might then wishlist your game. This is a passive boost on top of your other marketing efforts. Having a Steam page also allows you to have a place you can direct potential customers to and where they can express their interest towards your game through wishlisting. This should be your top priority.
The fourth method is press release distribution sites. After releasing the game, sending a press release through sites like prlog.org and gamespress.com is not recommended as it is a waste of time for unknown indie games.
The fifth method is setting up a mailing list with services like Mailchimp. This is more for enabling future marketing. If you are just making your first game, it is not a priority.
Moving on to social media, the creator recommends using Twitter to create quick-to-consume content like gifs. Twitter is better at reaching current customers than new customers. Reddit is the best at turning hobbies into careers. Posting on Reddit can be tricky, but becoming a part of a community there and not using it just to advertise is recommended. Imgur is also recommended if the game has good gif potential.
In conclusion, indie game developers can do video game marketing with a zero-dollar budget. The best marketing methods include contacting YouTubers and streamers, setting up a Steam page, and using social media platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Imgur. The creator provides their opinion on each method's priority and effectiveness, which can help indie developers decide which methods to focus on. The video provides useful information for indie game developers looking for ways to market their games without spending money. The creator's knowledge and experience in the field are evident throughout the video, making it a valuable resource for indie game developers.
