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[cliffski]

I've been trying to work out the best way to get decent press attention and for gamers to hear about my stuff, and thought I'd see how things seemed to other developers and gamers. I've done a big long list at my blog of the options as I see them:
http://positech.co.uk/cliffsblog/2012/04/23/knowing-where-to-aim-the-pr-conundrum/
But I've probably missed out whole areas and am looking at things purely from my point of view.
What PR strategies seem to work for you? and what ones seem to be a waste of time. Am I right in thinking youtube is rocketing in importance as a marketing medium for indies?

[ANtY]

great topic, *off to read the article*

[Christian Knudsen]

Am I right in thinking youtube is rocketing in importance as a marketing medium for indies?

It certainly seems like it. Guys like TotalHalibut certainly get a lot of views. I'm sure it's a massive traffic boost when he covers an indie game.

[cliffski]

Its amazing how quickly youtube went from virtually irrelevant to essential, for indie game coverage. I've never been featured by thiose mega-popular guys so can only assume it leads to big sales.

[larsiusprime]

Great thread, Cliff, and nice article!

I'm going to chime in on the Youtube thing - Anyone know how to approach the "Let's Play" crowd on Youtube? Do you approach them like regular journalists?

I know DeceasedCrab, for instance, has the policy of not reviewing any games that he receives free copies of, which is the opposite of your average game reviewer (who will just delete your email if it doesn't come with a free review copy). DC prefers to just review games that interest him, and doesn't take suggestions/submissions, so sending him a message just decreases your chances of getting a Let's Play.

(I'm not complaining about DC, I get that it's his policy and I respect that)

That said, I gotta imagine some of these guys are open to "Hey, love your channel, here's a free copy of our game if you feel like reviewing it some glorious day."

Of course, Total(Biscuit|Halibut) (which is it?) is probably spammed with so many suggestions every day that getting him to cover your game might be like trying to get Strongbad to answer your email five years ago...

Anyone have any experience with this?

One more question while I'm at it, Cliff - you mentioned Advertising *Does* work for you whereas the conventional wisdom is that it doesn't. Have you written any posts on that in the past? Sounds worth looking in to.

[AuthenticKaizen]

Its amazing how quickly youtube went from virtually irrelevant to essential, for indie game coverage. I've never been featured by thiose mega-popular guys so can only assume it leads to big sales.

Have you already tried to contact him?
TotalBisquit: "If you're a developer and would like your game featured on our WTF is? series, please contact pr[at]cynicalbrit.com"

I think you have good chances that he takes a look at GTB.

[cliffski]

yes, I do plan to contact them, but Thought I'd wait until my game was out of beta so people were more likely to see it and then buy, added to the fact that beta games still have bugs I'd rather not have imortalised in a very popular video :D

My blog has a lot of posts, if you search, on the advertising strategies I've used, with graphs and stats galore :D

[AuthenticKaizen]

Good idea.
The more finished and polished the version is that you submit the better.

[normanyclark]

Am I right in thinking youtube is rocketing in importance as a marketing medium for indies?

It certainly seems like it. Guys like TotalHalibut certainly get a lot of views. I'm sure it's a massive traffic boost when he covers an indie game.

I think the Youtube is the best option for promoting indies.The other source also available but you should give the first priority to the Youtube.It gives your more traffics than other.

[Schwiggy]

Ah, yet another helpful post from Cliffski. These make my day.

Also, it doesn't bother me, but I think you forget a 'g' on 'beg' and after the list say "PC" instead of "PR." It doesn't affect the message but I'm just letting you know.

[TylerYork]

Great article! On a sidenote, I can't believe one guy made Gratuitous Space Battles. That game is amazing

Anyways, as far as PR goes, you've covered the majority of it. I think the one thing I'd stress is having a good demo video to fuel both the Youtube and Game Reviews channels. This is worth hiring someone to do professionally for <$3K if you're serious about PR for your game. It essentially becomes the brand ambassador for your game on other sites and sparks conversation on review sites, reddit and forums alike

Also, as far as promoting indie releases reddit goes, nothing beats reddit.com/r/indiegaming

Cheers,

Tyler

[Poya]

Excellent article! Thanks for sharing that.

One thing I would add (and maybe this is too obvious), is to look for the *right* communities and engage with them. Coming to big sites/forums that are more general purpose (like this one) is great and necessary, but it's also important to find those smaller communities that are more closely following the specific area you're developing for (e.g. educational children's game in my case). These groups are harder to find, but the quality of contacts and following is probably higher.

[tzachs]

A great resource for when I've got something worthy of promotion.

One thing I've read elsewhere is doing a smaller free version, linking it to your game, and then putting it on the major portals.

[ANtY]

Excellent article! Thanks for sharing that.

One thing I would add (and maybe this is too obvious), is to look for the *right* communities and engage with them. Coming to big sites/forums that are more general purpose (like this one) is great and necessary, but it's also important to find those smaller communities that are more closely following the specific area you're developing for (e.g. educational children's game in my case). These groups are harder to find, but the quality of contacts and following is probably higher.

That's worth noting, gotta go find some community fitting my game

[TylerYork]

Excellent article! Thanks for sharing that.

One thing I would add (and maybe this is too obvious), is to look for the *right* communities and engage with them. Coming to big sites/forums that are more general purpose (like this one) is great and necessary, but it's also important to find those smaller communities that are more closely following the specific area you're developing for (e.g. educational children's game in my case). These groups are harder to find, but the quality of contacts and following is probably higher.

+1. This is totally true. What niche is your game in? There's likely a forum of gamers that love that niche. Find it and show it to them