The gaming industry is not just growing; it’s exploding at an unprecedented rate. To give you a sense of the scale, there are approximately 3.09 billion active video gamers worldwide. That’s almost half the global population!
Whether you’re an indie developer, small studio, industry titan, or even a gaming enthusiast, such skyrocketing numbers present a golden opportunity for everyone involved in game creation to connect, engage, and market.
But how do you tap into this expansive and diverse audience? The answer is simple yet powerful: social media.
Now, you might be thinking, “But social media for gamers? Really?” Yes, really.
Social media for gamers has become a space for engaging discussions, thrilling live streams, and interactive feedback influencing game development.
However, navigating social media can be daunting in today’s competitive gaming world.
That’s why we have crafted this guide filled with the knowledge and strategies you need to unlock the immense potential of social media for gamers.
Ready, set, game on!
The Growing Impact of Social Media on the Gaming Industry
Social media has greatly influenced the gaming industry.
Social media’s power of connectivity has transformed the way games are developed, marketed, and experienced. Let’s explore some key aspects of this growing impact one by one.
1. Community Building and Engagement
Social media platforms have always acted as that warm and welcoming cafe for every community.
The gaming community is no different!
Social media has revolutionized the way gamers connect and engage with each other. The platforms create great spaces for players to come together, share their experiences, and immerse themselves in vibrant gaming communities.
That’s not it.
With amazing community-building features, gaming companies also connect with gamers to share tips and strategies and troubleshoot issues.
Now, let’s shift gears and delve into social media communities’ influence on game development and marketing.
2. Influence on Game Development
With so much discussion happening among gamers on social media, game developers get direct access to the thoughts and opinions of players of their game.
Now that’s a goldmine that game developers can use to gain valuable insights into what resonates with their audience and make informed decisions to enhance the gaming experience.
And that’s exactly how gaming companies are using social media.
They listen, learn, and tweak gameplay mechanics, solve technical issues, or introduce new features to keep up with the audience’s expectations.
But wait, there’s more.
The interactive nature of social media enables communication between developers and gamers even before the game’s release. Developers collaborate with the gaming community through early access programs, closed beta tests, and crowdsourcing ideas.
3. Influencer Marketing
Influencers are a crucial part of the social media ecosystem. They can captivate the audience, create trends, and promote businesses.
And like every niche, the gaming industry also has its influencers who carry a deep passion for gaming and create engaging content. For a gaming studio, influencers can be a formidable force to sway the preferences and behaviors of their audience.
Gaming influencers are individuals who have turned their passion for gaming into a niche. Their followers trust them.
Their entertaining gameplay videos, insightful reviews, and interactive live streams attract viewers seeking entertainment and recommendations for the latest games. By showcasing their gaming experiences, influencers can drive game sales, create buzz around new releases, and introduce lesser-known titles to a wider audience.
4. Virality and Trending Content
Social media platforms have a superpower – the power of making things viral and trending.
The viral nature of social media is remarkable for gaming companies to propel content to viral status, significantly impacting a game’s visibility and popularity.
Anything can go viral on social media for gamers – a captivating video, an impressive gameplay achievement, or a viral challenge. Each has the potential to reach millions within hours.
And the best part?
The impact of viral content is not limited to increased views or shares; it can have a transformative effect on a game’s success. A viral moment can thrust a relatively unknown title into the spotlight or sustain a game’s popularity.
The Best Social Media for Gamers You Can’t-Miss
So, you’ve realized the importance of social media for gamers and gaming companies. You’re eager to start marketing on social media platforms.
But wait!
Which platfrom will you choose to connect with the gaming community?
With a plethora of options available, it’s crucial to understand which social channels will best serve your gaming company. So, let’s dive into the major social media platforms for gamers, helping you make informed decisions and connect with your target audience effectively.
1. YouTube: Engage With Live Streamers
YouTube is a haven for gamers seeking to immerse themselves in gaming content. Whether you’re looking to watch live-streaming games or delve into gameplay videos to learn strategies and tips, YouTube has got you covered.
No wonder YouTube Gaming Live had an average of 544 thousand concurrent viewers in Q3 2022, making it one of the most popular social media platforms for gamers.
Game developers and publishers can reach a vast and diverse audience of gaming enthusiasts on YouTube. Its vast user base and amazing interactive features make it an ideal platform for gaming marketing, allowing developers to engage with their target audience, build a dedicated fan base, and exponentially increase the reach of their gaming content.
2. Facebook: Connecting Gamers Worldwide
Facebook’s vast audience base enables you to connect with gamers from all corners of the globe. Thanks to its dedicated gaming tab, gamers now have a centralized space to explore, engage, and connect.
Facebook live gaming is on the rise as well. The sheer magnitude of Facebook Gaming’s average of 173 thousand concurrent viewers in Q3 2022 speaks volumes about its popularity among gamers.
Apart from live streaming, Facebook Gaming also offers instant gaming experiences. These games enable players to play multiple casual games right within the Facebook platform without the need for additional downloads or installations. This instant accessibility provides gaming companies with an opportunity to reach a broader audience and introduce their games to new players.
Now, let’s continue our exploration of social media platforms for gamers as we shift our focus to Twitter.
3. Twitter: Keeping Up with Gaming News and Trends
Twitter is a community platform where people from all walks of life share news, thoughts, and ideas, including the gaming community.
Twitter offers a platform where gamers can join conversations, share their thoughts, and include themselves in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.
With a remarkable 60% of Twitter users identifying as gamers, it’s a hotspot for a gaming company to share gaming news and trends and immerse in discussions. By actively participating in these discussions, gaming companies can establish themselves as thought leaders, gain valuable industry insights, and foster connections with a passionate community.
4. TikTok: Showcasing Gaming Moments Creatively
Vertical videos are the new king of the content realm, thanks to TikTok. TikTok is famous for making things viral, and your gaming videos could be the next big thing.
You can use TikTok’s short video features to add a touch of flair to your gaming videos to make them stand out from the crowd.
But is there a gaming audience on TikTok?
According to TikTok, over half of TikTok users consume gaming-related content daily and follow business accounts.
Now, with so many gamers on the platfrom, you need to put all your cards on the deck to showcase gaming achievements, share tips and tricks, or immerse yourself in the world of cosplay.
Here are several more platforms gamers can take advantage of:
Now that you know all the best social media for gamers, it’s time to dig into the social media strategies you need to prepare to make the most out of every platform.
6 Strategies for Mastering Social Media for Gamers
Without well-crafted strategies, social media marketing can be tricky for game developers and studios. Strategies enable you to navigate through the ever-evolving landscape of social media.
Let’s check out six of the best strategies to create a successful and engaging gaming community that yields multiple benefits for you.
1. Define Your Game-playing Audience
Gaming is a big industry catering to people of different ages and places. Did you know that a significant portion of gamers is over 55, comprising approximately 15% of video game players?
So, do you know who your target audience is amidst such a vast landscape?
Not knowing your audience is a perfect cheat code for wasting time, money, and effort.
Imagine a game development studio creating a campaign highlighting intense action and violence for an audience interested in casual puzzle games. It’s like offering a sword to a mage instead of a wand in a spellcasting game, right?
Once you’ve identified your gaming audience, you can tailor your social media marketing efforts and create content that resonates with them.
After understanding your audience, it’s time to prepare a pre-launch strategy to build anticipation and excitement for your game.
2. Come Up With a Pre-launch Strategy
It’s mentioned nowhere that you can only promote your game after it has been developed. You can prepare a well-crafted pre-launch strategy even before your game is fully developed and ready to roll.
This helps generate buzz, increase awareness, and spot a dedicated community of eager fans who will ultimately tune in.
So what can you do?
Here are a few marketing ideas for your pre-launch campaigns on social media:
- Teaser trailers: Create captivating and intriguing video trailers that offer a sneak peek into the game’s world, showcasing its unique features and building anticipation among potential players.
- Behind-the-scenes content: Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of the game’s development process, concept art, and interviews with the development team.
- Exclusive pre-launch content: Offer exclusive in-game items, early access opportunities, or special perks to incentivize players to join your community, creating a sense of exclusivity.
- Closed beta testing: Conduct closed beta tests to gather valuable feedback from a select group of players, allowing them to experience the game and provide insights for further improvements.
- Developer diaries: Release regular developer diary videos or blog posts that detail the game’s progress, share development challenges, and highlight unique features.
- Pre-order bonuses: Offer exclusive bonuses or incentives for players who pre-order the game, such as in-game rewards, exclusive skins, or additional content, encouraging early commitment and generating pre-launch revenue.
3. Leverage Live Streams
As we’ve discussed, live streaming is one of the prominent features among gamers for connecting and sharing their experiences. Among frequent gamers, 45% actively watch others stream their gameplay, indicating the substantial demand for live-streaming experiences.
The beauty of live streaming lies in its ability to create an engaging atmosphere that keeps gamers coming back for more.
While the game-centric social media platform, Twitch, took the first place for the most views, YouTube and Facebook also show a great possibility.
So, what does this mean for you as game developers?
It means gamers are always on the lookout for new games being played in real time. You, as game developers, have a great chance to capitalize on such opportunities. Use live streams to showcase gameplay, make important announcements, and create a direct line of communication with your audience.
Now that we have touched upon the power of live streaming, let’s go one step further and explore the boost popular streamers can give your game’s live streams.
4. Collaborate With Streamers
Just like fashion influencers, there are gaming influencers who have ardent followers tuning up in big numbers to enjoy their live streaming.
You can collaborate with these streamers to gain valuable visibility among your target audience and tap into their dedicated fan base.
But how to collaborate with the influencers?
Well, you need to make it a win-win situation.
You can provide them perks, such as sponsored streams, early access opportunities, or exclusive content collaborations. In return, they bring their unique personalities, expertise, entertainment value, and, most importantly, their fan following to the table.
5. Come Up with Different Content Ideas
On social media, the key to captivating your gaming audience is to consistently create exciting and engaging content. While you get amazing social features to be creative at your disposal, the real challenge lies in how you utilize them.
Here are some compelling content ideas you can use on social media for gamers:
a. Share Gameplay
Gameplay videos are the best way to promote your game. They provide a sneak peek into your gaming world, sparking excitement and anticipation. By sharing gameplay videos, you allow your audience to experience the game’s mechanics, build excitement, and understand its unique features.
But don’t limit sharing gameplay to just a pre-launch strategy. Highlight different stages of the game to keep users engaged post-launch. For games where progression is based on acquiring better in-game assets, demonstrate how players can enhance their abilities and achieve new milestones.
b. Post About Giveaway Contests
Who doesn’t love freebies? Pass this fun to your followers by conducting giveaway social media contests.
Giveaway contests can be a fun and rewarding way to engage your gaming community. Organize contests where participants can showcase their creativity through cosplay, fan art, or other game-related activities. In return, you can offer enticing prizes such as in-game items, exclusive merchandise, or even physical goods.
c. Character Introduction Posts
Characters are the heart and soul of any game. Their backstories, abilities, and roles within the game enable people to connect with your game on an emotional level.
What about the characters of your game? What unique personalities and traits do they have?
We are sure they are pretty interesting, and you should share them with the world. Introduce the characters from your game to your social media audience by sharing artwork, concept designs, or short character bios to create intrigue and emotional connections.
But your character is not the only one with a backstory. So, next, let’s dive into the different stories of your game universe.
d. Talk About Game Lore
Games captivate players by transporting them to different dimensions through well-crafted history, mythology, and world-building aspects.
Promote these aspects of your game on social media by sharing different lores. Uncover the backstory of pivotal characters, reveal the secrets of the game universe, and explore the significance of in-game items.
By sharing lore, you provide a deeper understanding of your game’s narrative and engage players on a more emotional level.
e. Behind the Scenes
Gamers are inherently curious by nature. They want to know every detail of what goes into making the game they are playing or going to play.
Take your audience behind the scenes of your game’s development process. Give them a glimpse into the creative process, production design, office culture, or even a previously unseen area of your game.
They will love it!
Taking your audience behind the scenes on social media gives them a deeper understanding of how your game developed. This type of content adds value, builds trust, and generates excitement among players.
6. Engage With Your Community
Social media marketing is not just about posting your game updates, announcements, and sales daily and vanishing in thin air – you need to be always present there to communicate with your audience.
As a gaming company, you will frequently face gamers either complaining about bugs or asking for changes. When gamers reach out to you with questions, comments, or feedback, take the time to respond to them.
The idea is to show them that you genuinely care about their gaming experience by addressing their concerns and offering solutions. If you stay accessible and responsive, it builds a sense of trust and fosters a positive relationship with your community.
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SocialPilot: The Best Tool to Level Up Social Media Marketing for Gamers
As a gaming marketer, you know firsthand the challenges of managing social media marketing for multiple accounts. It can be overwhelming to stay on top of it all – from juggling different platforms to coordinating content and ensuring timely engagement can be daunting.
The fast-paced nature of the gaming industry adds more to the madness. Apart from staying up-to-date on gaming trends, you need to respond to comments and inquiries from your followers as well.
But fret not because there’s a solution tailored specifically for you.
Enter SocialPilot – the ultimate tool to simplify your social media management woes!
SocialPilot is the ultimate cheat code to manage all your social media management needs. The tool comes packed with amazing features, such as:
- Multi-Platform Support: Simplify your social media management by seamlessly connecting and managing all your gaming studio’s social media accounts on a single, intuitive dashboard. No more hopping between platforms – everything you need is at your fingertips.
- Social Media Scheduling: Effortlessly plan and schedule posts in advance for multiple social networks to create a consistent and engaging presence across platforms.
- Social Media Analytics: Gain valuable insights into the performance of your social media campaigns with in-depth analytics. Understand which platforms drive the most engagement, track audience growth, and measure the impact of your marketing efforts.
- Team and Client Collaboration: Enjoy seamless collaboration among your team members and clients with SocialPilot’s collaboration features. Invite team members to work on individual social media posts, assign roles and responsibilities, and create a streamlined workflow for approvals and feedback. With everyone on the same page, you can enhance coordination, boost productivity, and ensure consistent messaging across all your gaming accounts.
Conclusion
We’re certain we have succeeded in sharing the idea of how important social media marketing is for the gaming industry.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve and expand, mastering social media for gamers becomes increasingly essential. So, now is the time to dive into the world of social media for gamers.
With the strategies mentioned above, you will be able to harness the power of social media to connect with your audience, build brand awareness, and drive the success of your games.
Also, don’t forget to employ SocialPilot to boost your strategy and save your marketing team from total burnout.
The post Mastering Social Media for Gamers: The Ultimate Guide for Game Makers appeared first on SocialPilot.
