You’re likely already working with your team (or by yourself) on your brands’ marketing strategy for 2024. It can be an overwhelming task, with many challenges to address to improve your results next year. There are also opportunities for you and your company to take advantage of, with unique tactics and trends to consider.
The good news is that gamers are online and playing games every month of the year. On average, gamers play nearly 8 hours of games every week, which is more than an hour every day. This gives you plenty of time to connect with your target audience in a way that resonates with them.
Even though there’s a stream of new trends and tech to help you with your marketing strategies, there are core questions to think about.
Here’s 8 questions you should be able to answer while planning your 2024 strategy:
1. Have you clearly defined your objectives & KPIs?
Make sure you have clear and specific goals for your marketing efforts in 2024. These goals should be measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Align key performance indicators (KPIs) with these goals to easily track and measure success. You should also include both qualitative data, like feedback and sentiment analysis, alongside quantitative data, to have a complete understanding of the context and make impactful decisions.
2. Have you defined your target audiences? (do you have data to support them?)
To better understand your target audiences, do market research and use data analytics tools to gather insights on their demographics, behavior, and preferences. For example, our teams use tools like GWI, CreatorIQ and more to uncover important statistics and benchmark our data. Data-driven decisions can greatly influence your overall strategy. They can help you focus on and improve channels that your audience connects with, and eliminate channels that don’t resonate with them.
3. Does my budget meet my goals?
You should also analyze your budget thoroughly to make sure it matches the objectives and goals set for 2024. There are numerous channels and tactics at your disposal, but it’s best to prioritize initiatives that have a big impact so you can allocate your resources effectively. It may be beneficial to use flexible budget models to adapt to market or industry changes, or if you discover a channel or tactic that is performing exceptionally well and you want to invest more in it.
4. How do I efficiently scale across multiple markets?
If your brand wants to expand into new markets, you need a strong market entry strategy. You can’t just copy and paste the strategy that worked in your home market because there are cultural differences and regional preferences that could make it difficult to scale. If expanding in 2024 is your goal, use digital platforms for targeted marketing campaigns that are customized for specific markets and focus on localization.
5. Should I plan for always-on campaigns or one-time activations?
Planning for long-term campaigns helps you stay in the minds of your target audience and strengthens your brand presence. If you establish long-term partnerships with agencies and influencer ambassadors through social channels and public relations, you can build genuine connections with gaming audiences. One-time activations are effective for big events like Gamescom or the Steam Summer Sale, but they are ideally combined with long-term campaigns.
6. What are some key trends to consider?
It is also important to pay attention to new or existing trends so that you can determine if you can utilize or incorporate them into your strategies for the following year. Gamers are an audience that is highly active online, and they will be among the earliest adopters of new platforms or channels. Trends can encompass a wide range of things, such as the advancement of AI technology being used as marketing tools, changes in social media channels and algorithms, and more.
7. What agency partners do I need to succeed?
If your marketing team can’t handle marketing channels or tactics that need significant investment, or if you’d rather work with a team of specialized experts, you may want to consider hiring an agency. When evaluating agencies, it is important to assess their industry knowledge, past performance, and ability to seamlessly collaborate with your team. Utilizing a full-service agency such as Heaven Media can offer a comprehensive strategy to assist you in achieving your business goals while fostering creativity.
8. How do I craft the perfect agency brief?
When contacting an agency for help on a project, there are a few things you can do to make the process smoother. Make sure to clearly explain your brand’s background and objectives, and discuss the target audience, key messages, and desired outcomes. You can also provide a detailed timeline and budget constraints to ensure everyone is on the same page. Here’s an example template of the brief questions we ask our clients before embarking on a project.
Putting together a comprehensive strategy
As you plan your marketing strategy for 2024, keep in mind that the gaming community is highly active, with players spending an average of almost 8 hours per week playing games. This is a great opportunity for you to connect with your target audience on a daily basis. By addressing the following eight important questions, you will lay the groundwork for a successful marketing strategy in the fast-paced world of gaming and technology. Consider these factors to improve your approach and create more engaging experiences for your audience.
If you’d like to start a conversation about how Heaven Media can provide integrated gaming marketing support toward reaching your goals in 2024, you can reach out to our team here: https://heavenmedia.com/contact
