Published on September 21st, 2020 | by Bibhuranjan

6 Marketing Lessons from the Video Game Industry

The video game industry is one of the trending industries right now. Last year, it crossed $10 billion in revenue but expects that number to continue to increase. What’s interesting about it is that the video game industry isn’t gaining popularity just because technology is advancing. Clever marketing strategies and branding ideas have also helped some game developers reach new heights in the past few years. Some of the moves they’ve made can help every business owner out there attract customers and take their business to the next level. With that said, let’s take a look at six marketing lessons we can learn from the video game industry.

Create a powerful narrative

The action modern video games bring is amazing but there’s a lot more behind why people enjoy playing these games. What gaming enthusiasts love the most about video games is that the world in them comes to life through immersion and storytelling. In fact, it’s often the storyline that sets the best games apart from the mediocre ones. Just take a look at some of the popular YouTube gaming channels and you’ll see that the most comments are made by followers who want to dig deeper into the story. No matter what industry you’re in, the narrative you create around your business or the products you sell can bring you thousands of new customers. Once people are into the story that revolves around your business, customers will wait impatiently for your post on social media or send via email.

Focus on visual content

There’s no need to say how powerful visuals are in the gaming world. Just look at some of the most popular releases such as GTA V and Fortnite and you’ll know what we’re talking about. Plus, we live in the age of the internet and social media, and visuals are absolutely everywhere. So, whether you’re launching a new product or you’re starting a marketing campaign, creating your own visual strategy is something you can’t go wrong with. The best part of it is that creating your own visuals doesn’t have to be expensive. You can work with freelancers who can create Instagram images and custom YouTube intros for your business in no time.

Care about your community

If there’s one thing you can learn from game developers, it’s how to take care of your fan base. Creating a community that loves your business and follows your each step is one of those things that can make a standard business become an instant hit. But how exactly do you show your community that you care? Easy, just take a look at what game developers are doing. For example, Sports Interactive and Epic Games have joined forces and they’ve made Football Manager 2020 free to download while they’re working on the next installment. A gesture like this once in a while is what turns one-time customers into loyal followers of your business. Also, some developers take fan/customer ideas into consideration when developing games, and you might want to do the same with your products or services.

Work on your brand identity

Importance of having a powerful brand identity cannot be overstated. No matter what sector you’re in, having a renowned brand is guaranteed to set you apart from your competitors. And if you’re still not convinced just yet, all it takes is a quick glance at the gaming industry and you’ll see just how important brand identity is. For example, sports games have always been popular but those developed by EA Sports such as those belonging to FIFA and Madden franchises always seem to perform the best. In the iGaming sector, AskGamblers have a well-established brand identity and they’re every player’s go-to platform when searching for information.

Connect with influencers

The world of marketing continues to evolve and there are some new marketing channels that didn’t exist just a decade ago. Influencer marketing is one of those methods but it looks like the role of influencers in marketing is constantly growing. It takes a quick look at YouTube to figure out just how important influencers are in the gaming industry. Let’s plays by content creators such as PewDiePie and markiplierGAME attract millions of views and they’re what every marketer dreams of. Working with local influencers with a few thousand followers may be exactly what your business needs. Just a single post or video they make can take your business to the next level. Find influencers relevant to your industry and you’ll be guaranteed to do well.

Provide a sample

If you take a look at the film industry, you’ll see that before movies and TV shows are released, there’s a trailer that makes the fan base feel excited about this. Game developers have applied that same tactic and before every release, the provide players with a sample that creates hype about the game. Just look at the official cinematic trailer for Cyberpunk 2077 and you’ll get the idea. Some developers also provide players with a trial version of the game, allowing players to test the gameplay before spending their hard-earned money. Find a way to employ this in your business and your customers will love it.

The bottom line

Some of the marketing moves made by companies in the gaming sector can serve as a lesson to every business owner out there. Follow their footsteps and taking your marketing game to the next level might be easier than you ever imagined.

Tags: cyberpunk 2077, gambling, gaming, marketing

About the Author

Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.