Here's a question I always get:
✨ How do I build my studio's social media following when it's my first game, it isn't out, and I don't have a trailer/haven't technically announced it yet? ✨
HooOOooO boy. Let's dive into that and correct some things!
👇
✨ How do I build my studio's social media following when it's my first game, it isn't out, and I don't have a trailer/haven't technically announced it yet? ✨
HooOOooO boy. Let's dive into that and correct some things!
👇
1. Ppl need to be excited for *something*
You can't just post random WIP pics and expect it to do much. No amount of hashtags, marketing, or following will get people excited for something they don't have a grasp on.
Especially when there are a ton of other games out there!
You can't just post random WIP pics and expect it to do much. No amount of hashtags, marketing, or following will get people excited for something they don't have a grasp on.
Especially when there are a ton of other games out there!
1.5. Seriously!!
No one is reading your entire feed to understand what your game is. Barely anyone clicks through. No one likes to read.
You can't build something from nothing, you can't ask ppl to follow if you give them nothing of value.
No one is reading your entire feed to understand what your game is. Barely anyone clicks through. No one likes to read.
You can't build something from nothing, you can't ask ppl to follow if you give them nothing of value.
2. Provide "value"
You need to seriously consider what you GIVE to ppl, rather than take. (Asking to follow, wishlist, etc. is considered "taking".)
Value could be anything, of varying degrees: cool art, free stuff, exciting gameplay, funny convos with devs.
You need to seriously consider what you GIVE to ppl, rather than take. (Asking to follow, wishlist, etc. is considered "taking".)
Value could be anything, of varying degrees: cool art, free stuff, exciting gameplay, funny convos with devs.
3. Who is your audience
I see a lot of ppl relying on hashtags like #gamedev, #screenshotsaturday, etc. It's fine to use them, but consider: who is checking these tags? Prob other game devs.
Who are u talking to? Where are they? Are you talking to them in an appealing way?
I see a lot of ppl relying on hashtags like #gamedev, #screenshotsaturday, etc. It's fine to use them, but consider: who is checking these tags? Prob other game devs.
Who are u talking to? Where are they? Are you talking to them in an appealing way?
4. It'll never be easy, it'll always take time, there's no silver bullet
No social media manager can promise you a quality, engaged community immediately. It will take time! It'll take experimentation/failure!
(DONT BUY FOLLOWERS.)
No social media manager can promise you a quality, engaged community immediately. It will take time! It'll take experimentation/failure!
(DONT BUY FOLLOWERS.)
5. "But I saw this game blow up with nothing"
It's cool when that happens, but most of the time there's some hook to it (extremely silly, AMAZING art, previous network).
It's cool when that happens, but most of the time there's some hook to it (extremely silly, AMAZING art, previous network).
6. Press/events
Consider saving your trailer announcement as a thing you can pitch to press or events as an exclusive.
Being a part of events is one of the best ways to have people discover your game, get interested, and join your community.
Consider saving your trailer announcement as a thing you can pitch to press or events as an exclusive.
Being a part of events is one of the best ways to have people discover your game, get interested, and join your community.
7. Other devs might help
Other studios may have an audience that would be interested in yours! Befriend other devs! Work together! But not just because they MIGHT signal boost you or help you. And don't only try to talk to ppl who have more followers than you, or whatever.
Other studios may have an audience that would be interested in yours! Befriend other devs! Work together! But not just because they MIGHT signal boost you or help you. And don't only try to talk to ppl who have more followers than you, or whatever.
Anyways, all that to say Kitfox has been through the exact same struggle. We didn't get a massive boom of followers overnight -- it has literally taken years. And it still takes time!
But also keep in mind: virality doesn't equal success ever.
🌱
But also keep in mind: virality doesn't equal success ever.
🌱
