What Businesses and Marketers Can Learn From The Gaming Industry

In the past decade, the gaming industry has transformed into one of the most profitable entertainment businesses in the world. Games are patronized, and they convert potential audiences into raving fans in a heartbeat. Big gaming businesses can earn as much as $500 million in one day, and can leave their fans awaiting the next offer with bated breath. Needless to say, the booming gaming industry has evolved into an icon of stellar marketing marketers and businesses can learn from.

What made the gaming industry win the marketing game? Here are some of the best reasons why.

 

Gaming Marketers Take Marketing Seriously

The gaming industry thrives in its enormous fan base — tap into it and you’ll reap the rewards. Successful games aren’t always the best out there, but they have a large market that they target relentlessly. In fact, some of the most successful gaming marketers focus more on marketing the game over developing the game.

Branding Matters

In the gaming industry, branding is also critical. Think of a complicated name and you’ll lose recall. Come up with a simple name, and you might lose potential customers. Gaming marketers know that in order to win in the business, your business name must have the right balance of creativity, simplicity, and strong details. A strong name and standout logo can make a difference.

 

Storytelling as a Core Strategy

Gaming marketers invest so much in ensuring that their games tell a story. They do a terrific job in making a buyer or customer feel like they are the hero the story needs. Witty marketers can easily persuade potential customers that they’ll lose out on a lot should they miss the game.

How Businesses Can Apply This Strategy

What can businesses learn from this example? Have a good story, and deliver it through top-notch storytelling. Deliver your “why” in a way that will make your potential customers feel like heroes. Help potential buyers understand what they would miss if they skip your business.

 

Prioritizing UI and UX Design

A lot of research goes into which medium the games will be delivered. Some mobile games thrive in the small screens of the phone, while other games like Final Fantasy, NBA, and Farmville are better experienced with a larger screen. In the end, whatever the medium, the UI and UX design of successful games are always noteworthy.

The Importance of UI and UX for Businesses

When launching a website for your business, think about the overall user experience. How should your interface look? What options can clearly convey what you deliver? Learning the UI and UX design that can work well for your business can be your first step in attracting and retaining customers.

 

Creating Captivating Teasers

Great stories are best delivered through great teasers, and the gaming industry is a master of intriguing and exciting potential customers through captivating teasers and sample games. Their previews and teasers offer just the right amount of introduction to the game that makes potential buyers yearn for more.

How Businesses Can Use Teasers Effectively

Businesses should also focus on delivering great teasers in the form of a social media post, a sample product, or a sample service. Giving customers a taste of life with your product can create a difference for your sales.

 

Leveraging the Power of Rewards

Rewards, rewards, rewards — it seems as though the human mind is programmed to get hooked on rewards. Pre-order bonuses and first-to-order perks are some of the factors that contribute to the craze that surrounds gaming sales.

How Businesses Can Use Rewards

Businesses can learn from this oldie but goodie strategy. Offer promotional rewards before a launch, or provide purchase bonuses if you want to reignite the popularity of a product. Rewards are great customer magnets — don’t miss out.

 

Conclusion

Every business owner can benefit from the gaming industry marketing playbook. It pays to keep these tips in mind if you’re launching a product or revamping a current brand.

Find out how A2 Design Lab can help build your next gaming development here.

Photography: Nadine Shaabana, Unsplash
Campaign Strategist: Maria Margaret Cantos
Writer: Giulia Noelle Nobleza-Garcia