18 Tips for independent developers to promote apps at low cost

Introduction : know does not equal to the implementation, some of the most basic promotion methods are often ignored. These are the 18 lessons that have been summed up by developers from abroad.

Now the market is full of big brands of big companies and big production of mobile phone games, often have a game cost 3 million development, and then spend 20 million to promote; These games all dream of a 40 million-month running frenzy after the launch. However, as an independent developer, even if there are not many promotional costs, there are many promotional strategies and methods to allow you to get results without spending money. These tips and tricks are not a fantastic idea, and more or less developers you will know, but know that is not equal to implementation, some of the most basic promotion methods are often ignored. We will summarize the 18 experience from the foreign developers here to organize the following, perhaps to let you have a new harvest.

First, before the development of the game, should know the two things

1. Research audience

Who's going to play your game? This is very important. Some games should be free, developers earn money from advertising, and if your game is complicated, you should be aware that the game should be played for the core players, who will happily pay for the game from their pockets, and of course, a lower price for small profits and quick turnover is one way, It depends on how you estimate your audience, and it's important to make sure that the number of audiences is enough to make the developers earn money from the development game. Another point is to study your competitors. See how their game mechanics, pricing, how to succeed/fail, whether there are enough people to play this type of game.

2, develop the development plan form

It's too late to do marketing after the game is finished. You have to carefully plan your development and marketing plans, for example, if you plan to finish your game on date x, then you must start promoting your game online in the date y to increase visibility. In addition to the development of a detailed plan to smooth the increase in your game's exposure rate. There is a basic principle: the time you develop the game and the time you promote the game should be about the same. Before the release of the game to the next half of the effort to promote, after the release of the other half of the effort to promote. For example, if your game is released after 6 months, it will have to start marketing 3 months ago, and it will take 3 months to market after the release.

Second, in the development of the game, need to do a few things

From the first day of the development game, you have to start promoting your game at the same time. In addition to researching audiences and designing game mechanisms to cater to players, there are a few things to do.

1. Promote your game to a potential audience and improve your sense of presence

In the development of the game, must be more involved in the Internet activities, especially your potential audience active places, such as the game forum, Weibo, to improve the sense of presence and visibility. Open a game Weibo or public number, keep updating, share new updates and new information about your game with players. For example, post new and trailers, and release activities that allow players to participate.

2. Establish a network of relationships

Get in touch and meet people who might be able to help promote your game. Focus on the game's media people, reporters and Big V, before the game is released, make sure to contact them so they can expose your game in time. Connect with some of the industry's best-known players and attach an early version of your game to see if they will respond. In general they will not, but it is always right to try.

3. Launch a marketing Campaign

When the game is about to be released, contact a few of the game media you think are very reliable and let them report your game. It's important to have a promotional kit, which includes information about your game, basic introduction, gameplay, and several art drafts, trailer videos, and so on, so that the media can easily report your game. Notify the media the day before the release, the game will be released immediately to see if they can publish a message. Also get ready to promote the game redemption code, contact some of the sites you think will evaluate your similar games, see they can not give your game write a comment.

Iii. What you need to do after the App Store is on the shelves

Well, your game has gone through some hard work, and finally the development is complete. But that's not the end, in fact, there are a few things that are important for players to notice your game in the App Store.

1, tick the icon

There is a beautiful, the first time to be able to attract the point of the game icon for the player is very important, but also to let the player generally understand, this is what kind of game. In any case, avoid text on the icon.

2, the appropriate game description

Most people will only read the first sentence of your description! So the first sentence must be well written.

3. Write a list of advantages

Is the list of advantages rather than the list of game features. What real-time rendering ah physical collision Ah actually people are not interested. How to play the game, what the role is, how many levels are the players really see things.

4, good

Can let the player at a glance to understand the game how to play, there is a lot of information is very important. If the player does not understand, he will probably not download the game. The player's praise must let the person see! The importance of this is goes without saying. In the end, what players believe most is the comments of other players.

Iv. If you use ADS to profit, you should know a few things

The game is free, but you can also use advertising to make a profit. However, if the ad implantation is too bad, the player will not like it, and your game will download less.

1. Place your ads in the right place

Try to load the screen, or place ads between levels, as much as possible without interfering with the player's mood to play the game.

2. Selective Placement Ads

Don't implant ads that are too low-quality, look too small, or digress. This will slow down the player's overall perception of your game. Be careful not to embed your competitor's ads!

3, you can choose and other games cross-promotion

This is a very interesting and good way to promote your game. You can make an agreement with other developers to put each other's ads in their own games. You can also put ads for new games in your previous games.

4, always pay attention to the effect of advertising

If the frequency of the player opening your app is significantly lower, consider reducing the ad's appearance time.

V. What you need to do after your game has a certain audience

Now the player evaluation of your game is good, but also a lot of players, but marketing and promotion can not be slack!

1. Frequent updates to your game

Regular updates to your game will make the player feel that the developer is still concerned about the game and they will return and continue playing. If you forget the player, the player will forget you. Multiplayer updates the game, the player will thank you.

2. Stay active on social networks

Even if your game has gained visibility, continue to be active. Let the player and more people know that your game is still there.

Vi. What to do when getting some comments

1, must pay attention to the negative evaluation

This is important. See those who have made negative comments and try to contact them directly to hear if they have more ideas. In general, the hardworking players who are willing to criticize the game are more active, and they will invest more in the game. Players will feel that developers are really putting them to heart, which is good for your reputation. If you spend time with these people, they tend to become your duty trumpet.

2. Social networks

Launch friends and family to advertise your game, as well as the people you said before. Remember, not too much gun, too gun will make the player's impression of the game become negative.

Source: Touch Lok Net

18 Tips for independent developers to promote apps at low cost