How Much is Your Game Worth? - Gamesbrief: The Role of Marketing and Dynamic Pricing

How Much is Your Game Worth? - Gamesbrief: The Role of Marketing and Dynamic Pricing

In the world of gaming, marketing plays a crucial role in shifting potential purchasers up the demand curve. The goal is to use marketing techniques to increase their desire for the product to the point where they view the price as reasonable. However, this traditional approach can be expensive and uncertain, as John Wanamaker famously stated, "Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half."

But what if there's a different way to approach pricing in the gaming industry? Dynamic pricing offers a unique perspective. It's not about targeting the cheapskates who only want free games, but rather about capturing the attention of those who value your game at the price you would normally set it at. These are the users who are willing to pay $40 for a boxed product, $10 for a subscription MMO, or $0.99 for an iPhone app.

However, the real potential lies in a small fraction of users who are willing to spend a significant amount of money on your game. These are the whales, the devoted fans who love your game so much that they want to show their appreciation through spending. Unfortunately, we often fail to provide them with opportunities to do so.

This is where the concept of expansion packs, in-game items, and other DLC (Downloadable Content) comes into play. By offering additional content and monetizing the whales, developers can turn their games into extremely profitable ventures. The original game can even become a loss-leader, designed to draw gamers in and identify those who are willing to spend more.

The key takeaway here is that customers who want to pay more for the content they consume should be allowed and encouraged to do so. By recognizing and catering to this small but passionate group of users, game developers can unlock a new level of profitability.

Get More Followers on Twitter: A Practical Guide to Growth: Optimizing Your Profile and Engaging Your Audience

Twitter has become a powerful platform for individuals and businesses to connect with their audience. If you're looking to increase your followers on Twitter, there are several practical steps you can take.

First and foremost, your Twitter profile should serve as a landing page for your audience. Think about the main action you want visitors to take, whether it's following you, clicking a link, or subscribing to your newsletter, and optimize your profile accordingly. Use high-quality photos for your profile and banner images, and include keywords related to your industry in your description.

Make sure to provide a clickable link and a newsletter signup option to capture your audience's attention and keep them engaged. Additionally, consider pinning a tweet that helps people understand who you are and what you do. This can prompt them to engage with your content and increase your visibility.

To further enhance your Twitter presence, focus on 2-3 related subjects, known as content pillars. Accounts that have defined categories tend to grow faster than those without a clear focus. Find a niche that aligns with both your professional and personal interests to take advantage of natural areas of overlap.

Consistency is key when it comes to building a following on Twitter. Keep your promises and deliver valuable content to your audience consistently. Engage with your followers, respond to their comments and questions, and foster a sense of community.

There are also additional features on Twitter that can help you grow your followers. Consider hosting a Twitter space, which is a live audio room where your followers can listen in and participate. This can create a more interactive and engaging experience.

Another option is to start a Twitter community, similar to lists, where you can gather people around a specific topic, event, location, or similar factor. This allows you to create a dedicated space for like-minded individuals to connect and engage.

Creating long-form content with threads is another effective strategy. This allows you to string multiple tweets into one post, providing a more in-depth resource for your followers. Additionally, prioritize visual content such as images and videos. While Twitter is known for its character limit, incorporating visual elements has been proven to drive faster growth.

Lastly, instead of simply retweeting, consider using quote tweets. This allows users to add their own content to a shared tweet, drawing attention to the original post and sparking conversations.

In conclusion, if you want to grow your business through Twitter, it's important to move your audience onto a platform you control. By optimizing your profile, engaging with your followers, and utilizing the various features Twitter offers, you can effectively increase your follower count and build a strong online presence.

Actionable Advice:

1. Identify and cater to your whales: In the gaming industry, there will always be a small fraction of users who are willing to spend more on your game. Identify them and provide opportunities for them to show their appreciation through additional content and monetization strategies.

2. Define your content pillars: When it comes to Twitter growth, focus on 2-3 related subjects that align with your personal and professional interests. This will help you attract a targeted audience and grow faster.

3. Engage and build a community: Consistency is key on Twitter. Engage with your followers, respond to their comments and questions, and foster a sense of community. Utilize features like Twitter spaces, communities, and long-form content to create a more interactive and engaging experience.