marketing notes

MARKETING

Compel Sharing and discussion

Trailer Video
1. 90 seconds or less
2. Attention grabbing intro
3. Music/Sound Effects
4. In-game footage
5. End with next step (where to buy game, learn about game)
6. Reviews if possible

Press Release
http://www.pixelprospector.com/how-to-contact-press/
1. Grab attention in first paragraph, sum up every important point and include game's theme
2. Use quotes
3. Company and contact info
4. Send with screenshots and trailer video
5. Use in-text hyperlinks

Screen Shots
1. High Rez
2. Excellent composition
3. Well lit
4. Engaging Scene

Landing Page
(Web page used to convert visitors to customers)
1. Remove navigation. Put everything on one page including buy button
2. Grabbing headline
3. Social Sharing Icons
4. Strong call to action Button [BUY]
5. Trailer video
6. Screenshots
7. Testimonials/Reviews
8. Contact and Press Kit

Development Blog
1. 1 per week minimum
2. Use images
3. Link from home page
4. RSS feed
5. Email subscription
6. Social subscription
7. Sharing butttons
8. Promotion at post end (where to get game)


SCORE ARTICLES
1. Reseach publications you want to/should be featured in
2. Record publications in a spreadsheet list (excel list)
3. Categorize publications into three tiers based on traffic

Find Writer's contact info
1. Visit each publications site on your list
2. Seach for writer's and editors' contact info (look for an editorial staff link in the footer)
3. Record any contact info in your spreadsheet

Get in Touch
1. Create an email template to introduce you and your game
2. Make sure it answers a writer's most important question: "why would my readers give a shit?"
3. Customize the template toward each writer/site
4.Attach screenshots and your press release

Thank you notes
1. Thank any writer who replies to your email, republishes a press release or writes and publishes an article
2. Email thank yous are fine, but handwritten notes go the extra mile

Keep in touch
1. Maintain relationships with media because you never know when you'll need them again
2. Check in often with a quick hello via Twitter, Facebook or email
3. Comment on articles your contacts publish every now and then


BUILD A FANBASE

Make your game easy to discover
1. Set up social media channels and post daily
2. Become active in forums blogs and other relevant sites
3. Participate in game jams and other events
4. Get involved with the local development community
5. Start a crowdfunder

Convert Visitors into Fans with Content
1. Game and company updates
2. Data and other insights
3. Opinion pieces
4. Interesting articles
5. The occasional funny and random post

Nurture Your Relationshop with Fans
1. Respond to comments and questions in a timely and personalized way
2. Initiate and engage in discussion
3. Thank fans privately and publically
4. Ask for and incorporate fan input
5. Respond to criticism in a thankful and professional way


Questions
Is there any such thing as too early to market?
put together a road map for your game so you know how long it will take to make game, 3-6 months before

How can you get journalists to not use old screen shots?
Just talk to them

How would you use your budget first?
user acquisition, get eyeballs on your game.

GREENLIGHT
http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/about/?appid=765&section=tips