Community Growth Tactics

Community Growth Strategies

Common Methods:

• Social Media Posts. (Reddit, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Demos
• Devlogs
• Developer Streams
• Attend Conventions or Local Events
• Email Newsletter list
• Cross-promotion with other developers

Social Media Tips

Reddit

• Elicit an emotional response with your post, it increases the likelihood individuals will upvote, comment, share.
• For reddit, recommended to wait until your post has hit Front Page before editing the post and requesting a Call to Action from users.
• Call to Actions include wishlisting your game on Steam or asking for support on Kickstarter.
• Post in non-gaming subreddits if they relate to the theme of your game.
• Just try, the death of an Indie is obscurity.

TikTok Social Media Tips:

• Make small videos showing off features in your games.
• Engage with the comments section.
• Do A/B testing to find the music that pairs best with your game footage.
• Do Not browse TikTok on the account you are using to advertise/share your game.

X (Twitter) Social Media Tips

• Through Twitter, you can promote your game and promote other people's games. People will promote your work in return.
• Use #hashtags that target a specific game community or game genre. There is a lot of competition among general gaming and indie dev #hashtags.
• Be consistent, be a leader, promote other voices, and be mindful.
• Social media is a tool. Be positive and constructive.

Sources:

Full Interview - Elyot Grant @PRISMATA on Reddit Marketing for Indie Games
TBoIG 2019: Jean Leggett - Create and Grow a Studio, Raise $500,000 CAD in Capital
TBoIG 2019: Philomena Schwab - Testing, Funding & Launching Niche a Genetics Survival Game
Full Interview with Tanya X. Short - KitFox Games on Building a Successful Studio from Scratch
How to Market Your Indie Game! - Jonas Tyroller
Project Feline YouTube Devlogs - Raymond Cripps

Resources