5 Indie Game Marketing Hacks With NO MONEY 

Learn how to market your game with no money! Also, check out Skillshare: skl.sh/thomasbrush3 ► Learn how to become a full time game dev, free: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-how-to-make-six-figures ► Enroll in my 3D workshop, free!: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-15-minute-3D-game ► Make your game instantly beautiful with my free workbook: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-instant-beauty-color-workbook ► Get my 2D game kit, free: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2D-game-kit ► Join my 2D character workshop, free: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2d-character-art-workshop ► Wishlist Twisted Tower: store.steampowered.com/app/1575990/Twisted_Tower/ ► Learn how to make money as a RU-vidr: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-indie-game-income-workshop

Hi Thomas, thank you for sharing all these great hacks! This is for timestamps for those 5. 2:02 - Put together a press list 4:32 - Post to Reddit 5:52 - Don't ask RU-vidrs to play your game 7:35 - Do A Synergistic Stunt 9:02 - Don't go searching for tweets 10:10 - Don't Pay RU-vidrs to play your game 11:05 - Don't Pour All Of your time into your website Have a great time!

Here's what his list is, please watch the video to support him though. 1. Put Together A Press List : Don't copy others, find others that people don't know about, find writers that like your type of work. 2. Post To Reddit : Don't be discouraged if people like your work, it's worth trying. 3. Don't Ask RU-vidrs to play your game : get them involved in your game. Have them be in your game instead. Don't go for any RU-vidr less than 10k subscribers. 4. Do a Synergy Stunt : ask to collaborate with you, have them give special bonus going through someone else. 5. Don't Go Searching For Tweets : it isn't worth engaging with someone and working for their attention. 5b. Don't Pay For RU-vidrs play your game. 5c. Don't Pour All Of Your Time Into Your Website.

I am currently working on a game. Aside from passion, you really make me want to develop the best game possible. Thank you.

This was incredibly insightful. I've watched and read soooo many different "how to"s and none were as informative as this.

Hi Thomas, I’m just starting out in game development and I’ve quickly realized how passionate I am for this field. I want to thank you for making all the amazing content you do because it really inspires people like me to work hard and follow their dreams.

People love what videos you make. And that fills you with DETERMINATION.

Thanks Thomas! Your how to’s are a big help for me as someone just at the start of their game making journey. You’re RU-vid presence is excellent advertising for people like me.

Your videos have actually helped me out quite a bit. This one definitely, but another you did about how much money one would make on their first game REALLY opened my eyes and helped me zone my focus on my first game being a scrap piece I had initially tossed as a concept for my main project I wanted to do. There were too many inconsistencies with the story but that piece is simplistic enough to use as a prototype.

Be careful when you ask youtubers to voice act in your game, because you might end up making hunt down the freeman.

Nice video. I've gotta say, your channel has come a long way. I still remember your new years resolution to gain 100K subscribers and now you are almost at 160K!

This is one of the best videos of your channel Thank you for all the info! It's really priceless

Thomas. Seriously, thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. You and Game Dev Underground have helped me an insane amount.

Thomas please continue the good work,you are helping and inspiring millions of peoples👍

Love your videos! You’re so talented and inspiring. Thanks for making this great content!

One of the best Indie Game marketing vids I have watched! Keep em going :)

I'm currently in the brainstorming session of my game and your really inspiring me to try and follow through with my dream

Inspirational as Always Thomas, keep it up, we depend on ya.

Thanks for doing this video Thomas. Can testify that getting your game noticed can be a real nightmare. I worked extremely hard for a long time learning game dev etc and working alone to make my game. Due to being a one man band and complete beginner focused completely on the games creation and not at all on the marketing. Thus it's proving an uphill struggle. Will try and put your advice into practice Thomas. if it all works and I do well then you'll be credited for it :). For anyone else reading this then I seriously recommend build up your strategy to get noticed at the same time as your games. Beware though. There are others out there that will like your idea and may get a very similar product to market before you.

Not even sure why Im watching these since I dont make games. Just enjoy your work. Looking forward to your work!

WHOA. My next game Neversong comes out on Steam MAY 20th! Wishlist now to snag that tasty launch discount :) store.steampowered.com/app/733210/Neversong/

Thanks Thomas, your videos are always helpful. Cheers

This was quite informative. Thanks, Thomas!

I think this is the best ever video I've seen on game marketing! I think I'm already on the right track and doing what you suggest but it's really helpful. By the way, you say a game doesn't sell for itself, which is true, but I think having a good looking and interesting game like yours is really important for marketing too. In particular when you'll try to get in contact with the people on the list.

Thats amazing stuff, man! Should have way more views.

Thank you Thomas for that informative video when comes to marketing games

Awesome tips! Appreciate all the work you do

Thank you soooooooooo much, I’m launching my game on steam this summer and my marketing starts this week, this video is unbelievably helpful!

your content is amazing bro, congratulations!

great info. Thanks for sharing man.

Thank you! GL to all fellow game devs here :)

Awesome information, thank you for sharing!

Thank you, all your content is super useful! :D

Damn thanks for the videos. Always been interested in making a story driven game preferably rpg mechanic based but I never knew where to start with getting it recognized. These videos are helping a ton🔥😉

Thanks Thomas this was really helpful!

Extremely helpful Thomas thank you. I'm a developer and brand new to marketing. After learning code and everything game I thought I was done. Then I realised I have another language to learn. Marketing haha these were super helpful and ill be sure to begin work on them next Thanks

Wow this is great advice, thanks so much for sharing!

According to my analytics my first dev log gets a lot recommended to peoppe watching this video. I am very glad since I watch your channel for years now.

thats awesome advice man great video!

Some of these are so simple and genius

That was really helpful. Thank you!.

thank you for the information, it is very inspirational and worth remembering

Hi, we are a small studio and we really believe everything you say is true. Point by point. Both the advice on what to do, and especially the advice on what not to do. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Aww you look so happy playing with Pewdiepie! You deserve it :) Thanks for the tips.

Some good info - good wisdom for myself who is just about to release his first game!

I have certain ways I can market that I know of but this video, while I’m not going to follow it exactly, does give me an open mind about things. My game idea is going to be the second thing I launch so I can make an impact in the industry and learn more about game maker.

Man what a great video! For those of you who want some protips take note of how Thomas markets his affiliate link with Skillshare in such a natural and non-salesman-y way. Absolutely brilliant. Take notes bois. Every video is a learning opportunity if we paying attention.

Good video. Thanks for all the great content you post.

Great advice thanks g

Great tips!!!

Really, really awesome advice. This stuff doesn't come intuitively at all so this video is great. Can I ask, how would you market an *extremely* niche game you know only a certain kind of person would enjoy? (assuming money isn't the main goal, but finding your audience is)

Off topic: I just bought Pinstripe today and I can't wait to play it after work😎

Another great video thank you for sharing

Love ya Thomas, Have a great day.

Thank you for your videos!

great stuff, thanks!

These ideas are really great, they can definitely be repurposed and used for a large variety of start up businesses, not just indie games developers! I appreciate all the work you put into these videos and always sharing your experiences. Keeps me inspired and informed

Thanks for this video. Had some useful ideas. Any idea on how to go from indie to mass market?

Very helpful, thank you.

So inspiring, it's obvious that you're a professional

Fantastic post. Awesome tips. But I think if you have a bit of money and have web skills, I think spending time on your game's website can be a plus if you are strategic. Like I have found people create leader-boards on their websites like what bosonx did.Tutorials, podcasts, devlogs, merch... that type of thing. Of course if you just have videos and screenshots, then it's kind of pointless. But rather than have all your different merch and content spread across multiple social networks, you could have them all on your site. You can even give discounts and bundles and stuff. Sort of create an ecosystem if you have the time and energy.

Can you make a video going over the planning stages of game development. the DOs and Donts and Should we push our selves to make a GDD document?

Thanks man, ur motivating us..

Thomas, thanks for your honest RU-vid Video!!

Is there a reason for not having your patreon link in the description box?

This was pure gold!

Your advice is priceless, but as soon as I get a job I'll try to pay a bit for it in your Patreon. XD

Thanks for sharing experience.

Have a nice Saturday

Thomas - what was that RU-vid video you mentioned in tip #3 @ timestamp : 06:00 ?

Once upon a Legend *above on the screen*

Thanks. "Editor on Twitch?" That's a new concept for me. Since my game is free, I wonder if playing it on Twitch myself might be a good idea or a waste if time.

Reddit is definitely a double edged sword. I've posted progress videos on certain sub-reddits and gotten downvotes, but then I posted a different progress video on the same sub-reddit and got like 6 upvotes lol. I find it's a lot of trial and error, Unity3D, IndieGames and gamedevexpo seem to work well for me. Good tips. Thanks!

Solid details man. Subscribed... Well one question, can I make your character in my game when I'll make one. I'll make you a hero of my game. 😁

Oh man. I could already tell the amount of none-dev work i have to do after i finish all these polish. gaaaaahhhh. Thanks for the tips, Tom! For sure, your tips here just saved me hundreds of thousands of moolah and heartache in the future.

Can you show us the analytics for Pinstripe

Hello, I want to create my own game, I have been developing it since August 2021, I want it to be a simple game, but in terms of development it's not so simple (it is multiplayer eheheeh). I have my own plans to finish development by the end of 2024, if things go super well, perhaps even before that, but as of now it is just an estimate time, as i am developing that alone, and some of my friends might join in later phases of development. I just watched some of your videos, as I will be on this kind of spot soon I believe and I find it so helpful. Thank you so much for this great content, keep doing it, I wish the best :)

I'm seeing a lot of indie devs posting screenshots, gifs and videos daily on Twitter, almost to the point where it feels like social media is a full-time job. Most says it's their marketing plan. Personnally, I find it overwhelming (as a gamer following all of these guys, but also as an indie dev that struggles to keep up with this behaviour). I get super anxious because I feel like if I don't do that, nobody's ever going to look at my stuff. What are your thoughts on that? What would you recommend is a health dose of social media posts? Keep in mind that I'm a solo dev ! I just discovered your channel, so if you already made videos about this topic, feel free to share :) Thanks!

Yep I'm just go ahead and take these hax. THANKS!

Hi Thomas, of each of the people you reach out to, how many, or who specifically, do you include a free key or copy of the game to? Thanks for the video mate.

So you made your post on reddit at 5:11, but I don't see any links to your game or even the name of your game mentioned. How will that help?

This still holds up.

Great advice.

good one! thx

I love you, And I want to get enought money to join your discord Keep up the great work!

Great vid !

I'm so happy you didn't even mention making a facebook page.

Awsome man

legend of zelda playing in the background: *yes*

Great stuff.

Hey man, that's great advice, and I will apply that to promoting my solo feature animation project, as I think it can all apply generally to my efforts. Also, I appreciate and applaud your sincerity, as there are a lot of youtube carsalesmen out there. A Brush of fresh air.

Everyone: Focused on the marketing strategies Thomas teachers Me: mmm yes, that zelda botw gameplay in the background looks pretty cool.

7:27 *gets the biggest creator on the platform to play his game* luck was on your side :)

you make sense :D eventhough i never released a game it seems realistic. i like that.

what's Link doing there in the background?

I can suppose a good idea is to gather some interested guys before you start selling the game. Thank you for indormation about press lists. I didn't know about this trick before

what is the game that plays on the monitor in the background>?

I'm shocked. I came here thinking it was gonna bethe usual guff but nope, great advice ad some really good tips and not what to do. Thanks for all the help and info thanks for taking the time in creating this video and ill defo sub and check out your channel more

To broadly sum up (still very much worth your time to watch the video though) make sure the people you reach out to can see a benefit for themselves.

Now do it with money, what are the most effective ways to spend the money you have