LooseSuits Thread: Marketing a video games site

Marketing a video games site

BinaryMoon — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:29:27

Seopher - thanks for the comments. I think I am going to try out the pseudo name thing. I need to think about how it will work before starting though - if I get it wrong it could be pretty terrible.

i like the idea of a fictional character who's a bit bitchy and tells it like it is (or he sees it is at least)

David - I know I want to differentiate myself - that was the point of this post (see point number 1 in the original message) :)

I'm not sure how using twitter or squidoo will help me in my quest. Care to elaborate? FWIW I can't stand Twitter and have no intention of using it. I have a Squidoo account and have played with it but see no value in the service, I'm not averse to making more use of it if someone could explain how it would help.

Funnily enough since posting this request a number of things have happened which means my traffic has doubled. I still want it higher (naturally) but it's moving the right way :)

Marketing a video games site

davidleeventers — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:51:51

you want to differentiate your blog site from everyone elses

why should people read your blog and subscribe to its rss feed

you want to stand out

try using web media more like twitter squidoo etc

Marketing a video games site

seopher — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:29:12

I second the competitions idea - and while I wasn't suggesting doing a 'zero punctuation' style review, it shows how you can take the gaming genre in new, approachable and exciting directions.

I like the idea of an alter ego, a pseudo-name who readers don't necessarily know is you, who takes a liking to the darker side of reviewing games.

Competitions are excellent and can give some great exposure is leveraged properly.

I remember someone did rather well giving away entry into a prize draw to win a Nintendo Wii, requiring users to write a comment and subscribe to the RSS feed (or something).

Marketing a video games site

hthth — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:37:19

How do I differentiate myself from the rest of the video gaming sites (and there are lots)?

I think what you stated in reply seopher's advice sounds like a good idea (alterego sounds fun). I wanted to add, even though I might be stating the obvious, that it's a question of doing something memorable and unique. It doesn't even have to be completely unique, it could be a variation of an existing idea, or simply something rare. I think this can manifest itself in different ways -- like for example; in a memorable alter-ego character, or a new method of grading games :)

Now I better go and apply this to my own site :p

Edit: Competitions also come to mind. I think they're an awesome tool for marketing in addition to being fun and beneficial for both you and your readers.

Marketing a video games site

BinaryMoon — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:11:04

Zero punctuation is just genius - I don't see how I could compete with that.

I can see your point though - I don't like to be confrontational/ negative, which is exactly why I started Binary Joy in the first place. Maybe I can think of some way of doing something like this though - it could be fun.

Maybe I should find an alter ego who likes to critique video games in an amusing/ sarcastic way.

I don't have the time (or the voice) to do youtube reviews, and I wouldn't want to copy someone else anyway - but this has given me an idea or two. Thanks

Marketing a video games site

seopher — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:01:20

I think you could do with being abusive in a charming way - I prefer reading reviews of awful games than I do good ones.

Look at the zero punctuation review of Bioshock as an example of how brilliantly things like this can be done.

Witty, charming and thoroughly abusive at times. It might be worth getting into the video medium and youtubing some reviews.

Marketing a video games site

BinaryMoon — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 19:57:14

I want to increase traffic to my video games blog - in particular Binary Joy

So I am wondering 2 things

How do I differentiate myself from the rest of the video gaming sites (and there are lots)?
How can I market myself to people?

Obviously I know about standard blog marketing tactics (comments, signatures, social media etc) but they only go so far.

I'm guessing part of the problem is that there are so many sites out there that write about video games. When I started the site I tried to focus on good games that people will enjoy, ignoring all the crap out there. Now I am wondering about flipping things around and talking about rubbish stuff as well - occasionally being a little abusive to the truly awful games I find.

I'm just confused really. I genuinely think my site is good, and I want to make it more successful, but I just can't think how :S