So I chugged away at my game, just thinking about making my game, then I released it and realized… oh shit your supposed to be doing some kind of public relations as you go, making previews, or trailers and sending them to news sites. Or atleast having a website.
I sent my promo codes off to a handful of ios game sites, but it didn’t get posted. Albeit, I didn’t include any videos or photos in my original email, which I suspect may have had something to do with it. Really, shows how clueless I was about actually releasing a game.
Just curious, for anyone who released a game, what all did you do? How did you do it?
I don’t necessarily care about selling tons of copies, but I’d like it to atleast get posted to some news site, so more than like the 30 people who have come across it randomly in the app store can see it. Does anyone know any ios sites that post news about smaller games. Or anywhere to send off an email to with a promo code? Or maybe just send my promo codes to the same sites again but actually include a screenshot and video in the email (would that be rude)?
Eventually some of the sites might give you some attention if they’re into it. But there are just so many games to review, so there must be something catchy in your communication. Don’t send out promos as they’ll expire unused. Offer to send one once a reviewer is interested. You might need some promos for doing a giveaway later.
But the point is: getting reviewed isn’t necessarily going to sell many more copies of your game. You might think about doing something else.
We had some great reviews with Gluddle, we’re very grateful to our reviewers! Getting reviewed does help a little bit, but just don’t expect too much of it, sales-wise.
You also might want to submit your game to some of the sites that were so kind to feature our indiegame: gluddle review - Google Search (like AppsOnTap, TheAppShack, …)
I made a similar mistake. You get so stuck into the development of your game that you neglect all the PR stuff. If you’re like me, you probably didn’t want people making up their minds based on an incomplete product either.
Have you considered throwing a few bucks at something like AdMob? I’ve currently got an ad running for my Android game just to try and get a bit of exposure. Definitely not making my money back on it yet, but the goal is simply to spread the word for now. You could have a really good game under your belt, but if nobody can find it, all your hard work could well be buried under the sh*t pile.
EDIT:
Also, have you considered running down Main St with your pants down to your ankles, bellowing the name of your game at the top of your lungs? That could get you some media exposure if you don’t mind spending the night in a cell and paying a hefty fine for indecent exposure. Although, in my country at least, I think there’s laws against profiteering from past illegal activities… Food for thought
I have quite the same problem.
My game is done but nearly none donwloads, Admob helped a little bit but since I stopped ad, the download rate broke down
I had many downloads this year from chinese players.
I have no idea why, I never tried to market directly to chinese audience, they just seems to like the games.
All other regions are strongly marketing tied, nothing sells good if you don’t pay for reviews; One of reasons I am trying hard to move away from mobile, it’s a circus already.
Every time I publish a title or have my name tied to a product I helped on, I get emails of reviewers asking for money to provide a front page feature…
And do you know what?! I am almost sure EA is paying LARGE piles of money to Apple or someone important inside Apple to have all their big releases on the featured banners.
Also, most successful indie games are generating more money to EA(chillingo) so that is one more dominated market, not a place for indies anymore.
What I meant is, if you don’t have money for marketing you won’t sell much.
Unless you are lucky, I feel lucky but I can’t trust all my efforts on just ‘luck’.
We’ve had an Apple feature a few times on a few games (one was, admittedly, a Chillingo title, but the next was not). There’s no throwing of money anywhere that I’m aware of
As to sending your game to websites, you need a website, that’s always a good start, but inside it you need a press kit. Pre-made screenshots, your company logo details, a video (in the press kit, so they can chose to put it on their OWN youtube channel, they won’t want to use yours). There are companies that will do press releases for a small fee, because basically websites like to copy/paste as much content as possible (lift it directly from the press release) and publish it as news.
Chillingo (before they were bought by EA) were basically just a full time press machine. Having a publicist/press company as part of your development budget is always wise.
