Why Influencer Marketing Matters for your Video Game Release

Influencer marketing is becoming increasingly popular and it can be a powerful tool for promoting video game releases. Influencers have large followings, so their content can reach thousands of potential customers quickly. This can result in huge ROI for your influencer marketing efforts. Additionally, influencers are seen as more trustworthy than traditional advertising sources, which makes them an effective way to build trust with your target audience. Furthermore, influencers often provide feedback on the games they promote, making them valuable sources of information for gamers who want to know more about upcoming titles. In this article we explore why influencer marketing matters for your video game release and how you can make the most out of it. 

 

What is influencer marketing?  

Influencer marketing is a type of marketing that focuses on using influencers to promote a product or service. Influencers are people who have established credibility and influence within their niche, which makes them attractive partners for brands looking to reach potential customers. Influencers typically create content such as reviews, videos, images, and blog posts in order to advertise products or services. This content can be shared across social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Twitch. Brands will often pay influencers for the promotion they provide. 

How to identify the right influencers for your game.  

When it comes to finding the right influencers for your game, you need to consider several factors. First and foremost, you should look for influencers who are already familiar with the type of game you’re releasing. This is important because they will be more likely to provide meaningful feedback on your product. Additionally, you want to find influencers who have an audience that matches the target demographic of your game. Finally, make sure that any potential influencer has a positive reputation in their niche; this will ensure that people trust their opinion when it comes time to buy or download your game. 

How to reach out to influencers 

Reaching out to influencers can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by researching potential influencers and identifying the ones that best fit your needs. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potentials, reach out with a personalized message that explains why you think they would be a perfect fit for promoting your game. Be sure to include details about what makes your game unique and how working with them could benefit both parties. Finally, don’t forget to offer some form of compensation or merchandise; this will show the influencer that you value their work and are serious about collaborating with them. 

 

Types of offers 

There are several types of offers you can make. The most common type is a monetary offer. This could be in the form of a flat fee or commission-based payment for each sale they generate. You could also offer merchandise such as game codes, t-shirts, and other promotional items. You can also create custom influencer kits delivering high quality one-of-a-kind items such as replica items, swag, interactive and personalized collectibles. Additionally, you could host an event where the influencer streams your game live on their channel and offers giveaways to viewers who comment or follow them. Finally, providing exclusive content such as early access to levels or characters can be another way to entice influencers into promoting your game. 

 

How to track influencer impact for a game.  

Tracking the impact of influencers is important for understanding how well your campaigns are performing. The most common way to track this is through analytics tools such as Google Analytics and social media insights. These will provide you with data on things like website visits, downloads, and sales that can be attributed to a specific influencer’s content. Additionally, some platforms offer features specifically designed for tracking influencer performance such as YouTube’s Creator Studio Insights or Twitter Ads Manager. 

Case studies.  

There are many successful examples of influencer marketing for video game releases. One example is Supercell’s Clash Royale, which worked with popular YouTubers such as PewDiePie and Markiplier to promote their game. The campaign resulted in millions of views and downloads for the game. Another example is Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch, which partnered with Twitch streamer Ninja to create a series of videos showcasing the new characters in the game. This campaign helped increase awareness and interest in Overwatch, resulting in over 10 million players within its first month of release. 

In summary. 

Influencer marketing is a proven and effective way to promote video game releases. It can help you reach thousands of potential customers quickly, build trust with your target audience, and generate a lot of buzz for your game. When looking for influencers to work with, it’s important to consider factors such as their niche expertise, audience size and reputation. Additionally, there are various types of offers that you can make in order to entice them into promoting your game. Finally, tracking the impact of influencers is essential in understanding how successful your campaigns have been.  

Thinking about starting an influencer campaign for your next release? Let Waypoint help maximize your reach!  

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