228
We hit 4,000 wishlists in a week - here’s what worked for us (and what didn’t)
r/IndieDev
6/25/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | https://store.steampowered.com | Game Distribution Platform | Steam events, wishlist tracking, page analytics |
| AlphaBetaGamer | https://www.youtube.com/@AlphaBetaGamer | YouTube Channel | Features indie games in curated events |
| Hitmarker | https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitmarker/ | LinkedIn Influencer | Large follower base but low conversion for wishlists |
| survivalhorrors.com | http://survivalhorrors.com | Gaming News Site | Twitter promotion for horror games |
| How to Market a Game (HTMAG) | https://howtomarketagame.com | Marketing Resource | Discord community and event calendar for Steam developers |
| HTMAG Event Calendar | https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NGseGNHv6Tth5e_yuRWzeVczQkzqXXGF4k16IsvyiTE/edit?gid=0 | Event Tracker | Google Sheets list of upcoming Steam events |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Lack of visibility for new Steam pages without external promotion
- Difficulty in gaining initial traction and wishlists
- Social media marketing (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn) often yields low returns
- Mental exhaustion from "shouting into the void" on social platforms
- Uncertainty about effective marketing strategies for indie games
- Challenges in identifying and reaching relevant influencers/streamers
Problems to Solve:
- How to effectively launch a Steam page to maximize wishlists
- How to increase Click-Through Rate (CTR) on Steam event listings
- How to find and leverage Steam events for visibility
- How to approach influencers/streamers for game promotion
- How to optimize Steam capsule art for better conversion
Potential Solutions:
- Launch Steam page alongside a Steam event for immediate visibility
- Create a compelling trailer early for promotional use
- Proactively reach out to influencers/streamers with relevant audiences (e.g., via direct messages)
- Continuously monitor and tweak Steam capsule art based on CTR metrics
- Utilize resources like HTMAG Discord and event calendar to find promotion opportunities
- Focus on platforms with higher conversion (e.g., YouTube, Reddit) over low-return platforms like LinkedIn
- Participate in curated events like "Games To Get Excited About Fest"
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Leveraging Steam events for massive visibility and high-conversion traffic
- Collaborating with influencers/YouTubers to drive direct searches and wishlists
- Iterating on key assets (e.g., capsule art) based on early performance data
- Focusing marketing efforts on high-ROI platforms (e.g., YouTube, Reddit)
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Featuring in curated YouTube videos (e.g., AlphaBetaGamer) drives significant wishlists
- Posting trailers on niche subreddits (e.g., r/IndieGaming, r/HorrorGames) for targeted reach
- Partnering with genre-specific websites (e.g., survivalhorrors.com) for Twitter promotions
- Avoiding low-conversion platforms like LinkedIn for wishlist campaigns
- Building a list of relevant streamers/influencers for outreach
Monetization & Product:
- Prioritizing trailer development early for promotional flexibility
- Optimizing Steam page elements (e.g., capsule art) to improve CTR and wishlist rates
- Aligning game launch timing with major Steam events (e.g., Next Fest)
- Ensuring product-market fit through genre-specific promotion (e.g., horror games targeting horror communities)
User Engagement:
- Engaging with communities on Reddit and Discord for support and feedback
- Sharing transparent post-mortems to build trust and community goodwill
- Participating in developer forums (e.g., HTMAG Discord) to share insights and event reminders
- Encouraging user interaction by responding to comments and questions