Game marketing is often referred to as the “future of marketing,” but what exactly does that mean? How can game marketing boost your brand? It’s definitely not a marketing method to overlook, and it can make or break your advertising campaigns. From the fall of traditional marketing methods to higher consumer engagement potential, here are some things you need to know about video game marketing.

What is Game Marketing?

Video game marketing is a sector of advertising that benefits from the use of marketing campaigns inside of video games, directed at engaging gamers. Advertisements are embedded within or even at the forefront of certain video games, and this method of marketing is becoming more and more popular with modern businesses. Sometimes these advertisements can mean driving a virtual car that is for sale in the real world, or finding a branded drink that induces a power-up. In some–extremely profitable–cases, the advertisements aren’t just tolerated by gamers; they’re actually sought after. Certain ads become so popular with gamer crowds that entire YouTube channels are dedicated to pointing out these “Easter Eggs.”  

Failing Traditional Marketing Methods

Traditional advertisements, like TV and radio, just don’t pack the same punch they used to. Streaming services, like Netflix and Hulu, draw greater audiences each year, and consumers avoid all those commercials. Businesses aren’t achieving the same results that TV and radio once produced for advertising campaigns, which means it’s time to turn to other sources of marketing potential, such as game marketing if you want to boost your brand.

Many businesses have begun turning to video games for their marketing campaigns, and it’s proving more effective than many people thought. Consumers don’t want to sit through lengthy advertisements, and if you want to boost your brand you need to have modern solutions. TV and radio advertisements have grown less effective and more expensive at the same time that video game advertisements are becoming cheaper and more impactful. You can’t boost your business if you’re relying only on what worked in the past–savvy companies understand that video game marketing is the future of advertising.

Large Consumer Base

One reason why video game marketing is so lucrative is the large consumer base. Many businesspeople don’t realize the sheer volume of gamers out there, but it’s so extensive that, for many, gaming has become a source of competition and career. Games like Apex Legends from Battle Royale, which reached 25 million players only one week after launch, have an immense consumer base and could grant your business a ton of marketing value. If you want to give a huge boost to your business, you need to reach larger numbers of people than you could achieve with traditional advertisements, and video game marketing is a method that’s proven effective.

High-Quality Graphics & Interaction

Video games aren’t as simple as they once were, and now, often, they have highly realistic and interactive platforms for gamers to engage with. These now more in-depth engagements with consumers can promote brand-loyalty and form attachments with specific brands that use game marketing.

For example, this highly interactive age of video games and game marketing allows games like The Rocket League racing game to use real cars as product-placements that consumers can actually operate in the game. If a consumer uses your car to win big races, or if they think your car has the best power-ups, wouldn’t they be more likely to become attached to your product? Of course, because this interaction makes your product feel less like some abstract “thing” somebody wants them to buy, and more like a favorite, familiar “friend” they have a connection with.

Overall, video game marketing can do a lot to boost your brand, and it is becoming more necessary for successful marketing campaigns as traditional marketing methods, such as TV and radio, fall out of public favor, becoming ineffective. Game marketing reaches large audiences and engages consumers in a unique way, not found in traditional marketing campaigns. If you want to improve the results of business and get on the consumers’ radar, video game marketing is an essential method to consider for your advertisements.

Chinese multinational conglomerate Tencent launched WeChat messaging app in 2011 which soon grew to include many things-connecting users to gaming, ridesharing, shopping, and so on.

It is the most popular social platform in China with almost a billion users. According to We are Social-Hootsuite, WeChat penetration in China among 16 to 64-year-olds is 78%. That’s massive!

Offering a smooth solution to complete transactions within its app has made WeChat a great vehicle for eCommerce. But how can you set up WeChat e-Commerce? We share the steps below.

Setting up a WeChat Account

There are three types of WeChat accounts:

1. Subscription Accounts – Used for brand communication

2. Service Accounts – Most-suited for online shopping.

3. Enterprise Accounts (WeChat Work). Ideal for businesses for internal communication and office efficiency.

Setting Up WeChat Service Account

A WeChat Service account provides several high-end features including eCommerce, CRM, API integration, and customer service. The functions that it offers include:

● WeChat Pay

● WeChat Stores

● WeChat Mini-programs

● Geo-Location services

● Voice Recognition

● Multiple QR codes per account

Unlike Subscription accounts with which you can post once every day, with service accounts you can post only 4 times each month.

But the problem with subscription accounts is that subscribers have to go to a separate subscription folder to see the posts and there is no scope for push notifications.

Once you post using a WeChat Service Account, users are notified via push notifications in their chat list. They don’t have to go anywhere else to see the posts. As a result, though the posting frequency of service accounts is lower compared to subscription accounts, the visibility is higher.

Setting up a WeChat Store

A WeChat Store is basically an eCommerce platform, which means it will require a website and you will need to upload a catalog of products.

For WeChat eCommerce, you should set up a WeChat Store. A WeChat Store is set up within the WeChat app and can be accessed from the main menu of your account.

There are several types of online stores that are available. Some are free to set up while others require a subscription.

A WeChat store allows consumers to shop and pay within WeChat without the need to leave the app.

Integrating WeChat’s Payment Systems

WeChat’s payment Systems such as WeChat Wallet make it easy for users to make payments without requiring them to use their credit cards. Also, they don’t need to go to another app to make payments and can do so within the WeChat app.

WeChat Pay

According to China Internet Watch, WeChat Pay is used by more than 50 million businesses in China.

This payment solution appears in the ‘WeChat Wallet’ section of WeChat. Using WeChat Pay, users can complete payment procedures quickly and easily.

If you connect your company’s bank account with your WeChat Store, then users will be able to use WeChat Pay to make payments to that account.

WeChat also allows cross-border settlements. Customers in China can make payments for products purchased from overseas businesses in Chinese currency (CNY). After payment is made, WeChat Pay transfers the amount in foreign currency to the bank account of the merchant involved in the settlement.

Creating a WeChat Mini Program

Create a WeChat Mini program for your business.

WeChat Mini programs are scaled-down versions of apps within the WeChat app. These sub-apps take considerably less space and users can access them to buy products without the need to install these apps or leave the WeChat app.

WeChat Mini programs have been taking the China eCommerce industry by storm. Last year transactions worth more than 800 billion CNY (the US $115 billion) were completed using WeChat Mini programs.

The reason why WeChat Mini programs are so successful is that, from a user’s perspective, they are easy to navigate, can be used intuitively, has advanced eCommerce features, and integrates with WeChat core features like chats and WeChat Pay. Also, users can access other sub-apps from one place within the WeChat app.

Conclusion

The China eCommerce market is by far the largest in the world. You need to set up WeChat e-Commerce and tap into this huge market. Do it yourself or take the help of a Chinese digital marketing agency. The choice is yours. Do you’ve any questions?

The video game market is a transnational industry that continues to grow each year. The esports industry’s value has exceeded $1 billion and boasts an audience of more than 443 million around the world, and the industry is not expected to slow down any time soon. With one of the largest audiences, the esports industry is ripe with opportunities for business advancement and brand awareness. Like any industry, however, the esports world comes with its own unique challenges and audience expectations. Esports fans can be a tricky fanbase to reach for advertisers, and they can bring a unique set of expectations to the consumer table. The key to tapping into this lucrative digital market is teaming up with an esports agency.

What is an Esports Agency and what can they Offer?

An esports agency knows the ins and outs of the video game world. They have spent countless hours examining trends, audience engagement, and creating compelling narratives that connect with the tech-savvy audience. An esports agency will work alongside a brand or business to achieve advertising goals and grow a brand through carefully planned and executed advertising campaigns. Of course, when deciding on an esports agency to help a brand get into the game, there are a few skills to look for.

Reputation in the Industry

Always check out the portfolio when hiring an advertising agency. This applies across industries and is especially critical for the video game industry. The esports crowd has their own set of expectations for brands that are trying to find success in the growing market. By working with an esports agency with demonstrated success with the audience, a business can take confidence in knowing the advertising team has a deep understanding of the esports environment.

Audience Reach

To find success in the esports environment, working with an esports agency that understands the landscape and is able to connect with the audience is vital. Esports fans are not always the easiest to reach, and traditional advertising methods often fall short with this digital crowd. Reaching this audience will take strategic planning and clever marketing. Simple promotional ads aren’t going to cut it with the gaming crowd. To be successful, businesses need to connect with esports fans through thoughtful messaging that invites esports fans to join the brand’s game.

Creativity and Big Ideas

Whether pop-ups on a website or video ads running before a video, advertisements are not the most loved aspect of online marketing out there. Internet users are bombarded with hundreds of messages every day, and it can be tiring to wade through subliminal messaging with every click of the mouse. Finding an esports agency that is passionate about the messages it creates goes a long way in making meaningful adverts. Esports fans crave action, adventure, and a good story. Advertising to the esports community demands well-crafted narratives that tell a story and bring audiences into the brand’s world. Creating these powerful messages is possible with the help of an esports agency. 

Modern Advertising for a Modern World

Any esports agency can create an advert, but building brand awareness online and employing an effective digital marketing strategy requires a high level of skill and experience. There are a number of digital marketing strategies that are often used in online marketing campaigns, and advertising in the esports world is no different. When considering an esports agency to work with, businesses should examine the agency’s online strategies. A well-established marketing team will have several digital marketing techniques in place, including search engine optimization (SEO), thorough website and search engine analytics services, and a working knowledge of marketing in the digital world.

Ready Up

As the industry continues to grow every year, the world of esports is quickly establishing itself as a dominant cultural phenomenon in today’s world. Some studies have projected the digital market to expand to 557 million people by 2021. Millions of fans around the world participate in online events, creating a massive global concentration of video game enthusiasts in a digital space. These online spaces create opportunities for businesses and products to connect with an audience that once was thought of as allusive. With the help of an esports agency companies can accelerate into this energetic digital environment and grow their brand amongst an international audience that only grows in size with each passing year.