How to start advertising your new game?

The game biz is HUGE, and grabbing even a tiny piece means you gotta have a good ad plan. If you've got a game page – Steam, Itch.io, your own site – getting some ads going is key for people to actually see it and, ya know, download or buy it. This guide will show you the basic steps to get an ad running for your game page.

1. Know Your Players: Who Are You Trying to Reach?

So, the most important thing at the beginning of the launch is to think carefully about who your target audience is, who exactly your advertising is for, and what to include in it:

Who's this game for? Chill gamers? Hardcore RPG folks? Puzzle addicts? Esports wannabes?

How old are they? Where do they live? How much money do they make (if that matters for your game)?

What else are they into? What other games do they play? What else do they like besides games? What makes them wanna hit play? Is it the story, beating other players, being creative, or just chilling out?

What does your game give them? Does it give them a tough challenge, a great story, a way to hang with friends, or just a way to relax?

Steam's got some stats, you can check out what games are like yours, and you can even ask your fans what they think. Knowing your audience will help you pick the right ad spots and make ads that grab them.

2. What Do You Want to Accomplish?

What do you want your ads to DO? If you don't have goals, you won't know if you're doing well. Usually, game page ads are for:

● Getting more people to your page: More eyes on your game.

● Getting more wishlists/follows: If your game isn't out yet, this is a good sign people are hyped.

● More downloads/sales: This is the big one, right?

● Letting people know your game exists: Getting your game on people's radar.

Once you know what you want, figure out how to measure it. For example:

● Click-Through Rate (CTR): How often people click your ad.

● Cost Per Click (CPC): How much you pay every time someone clicks.

● Conversion Rate: How many people who visit your page end up doing what you want (wishlist, download, buy).

● Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): For every dollar you spend, how much money do you make back?

● Be real about what you expect to see.

3. Where Should You Put Your Ads?

Where you put your ads depends on who you're trying to reach and how much money you have. Here are some common choices:

Google Ads: Good for people searching for games like yours. You can target search terms, run ads on websites and apps, and even put ads on YouTube.

Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram): You can target VERY specific people based on what they like, who they are, and what they do. Good for building a fanbase and getting the word out with cool-looking ads.

YouTube Ads: Great for showing off your game. Video is big for games.

TikTok Ads: If you want to reach younger people, TikTok is key.

Game-Specific Spots Influencers:

● Steam Ads: Ads right on Steam

● Discord Ads: Hit up gamers in their communities.

● Twitch Ads: Reach people watching live streams.

Game News Sites & Forums: Put ads or sponsored content on sites like IGN, PC Gamer, or places that talk about your game's type.

Influencers: Paying streamers, YouTubers, or TikTokers who play games like yours can be awesome.

4. Make Awesome Ads

This is where your game gets to shine. Your ads need to grab people's attention and show what your game is all about, fast.

Make it look good:

● Gameplay: Show the coolest parts of your game.

● Trailers: A good trailer is your best friend.

● Screenshots/Art: Make it look pro.

● Short videos for TikTok: Gotta be quick and catchy.

What to Write:

● Headlines: Make 'em good!

● Explain why people should care: What will they get out of playing?

● Tell people what to do: Learn More, Wishlist Now, Play Free, Buy Now.

● Try different versions: See what works best.

5. How Much Money?

Figure out how much you can spend. Ad spots cost different amounts depending on where you put them.

Start small: Don't blow all your cash at once. See what works, then spend more on the good stuff.

Keep an eye on things: If an ad isn't doing well, stop it. If one's killing it, spend more on it.

6. Make Your Game Page Awesome

If your game page sucks, your ads won't do much good. When people click your ad, they gotta land on a page that:

● Looks great: Good screenshots, art, and layout.

● Explains the game well: What's cool about it?

● Has a great trailer: The first thing people look for.

● Shows good reviews: People trust other people.

● Tells people what to do: Add to Wishlist, Buy Now, Download Demo.

● Works on phones: A lot of people will see it there.

7. Go Live, Watch, Learn, and Improve

Launch it: Make sure everything's right.

Watch it: Check the numbers every day. Are people clicking? Are they buying?

Learn: Why are some ads good and some bad?

Try new things: Change your ads, change who you're targeting, change what you're saying.

Keep getting better: This never stops.

Placing ads on your page requires some effort, but if you know your players, set goals, choose the right places, create good ads, and keep an eye on what's happening, you'll have a much better chance of attracting people's attention to your game and getting them to try it.

Don't forget that advertising games is an expensive and very long process, so you need to start advertising your game before it is released!